Assita KANKO

Policy topics Assita KANKO is active on

What Assita KANKO has said (20)

• 2025-05-22 “P-002080/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Combating and preventing violence against women and domestic violence remains a key priority for the European Union. In May 2024 the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence 1 was adopted. In line with Article 26 thereof, Member States are required to provide, for rape cases or sexual violence, referral centres to ensure the clinical management of rape, including assisting in safekeeping and documentation of evidence. The centres shall provide referral to counselling for victims, where necessary. Member States shall also ensure that victims have access to medical and forensic examinations, and that all officials likely to come into contact with victims receive training (Article 36 of the Directive). Member States will need to transpose this Directive by 14 June 2027. The Commission is also supporting research on preventive technologies. Under the Horizon Europe programme 2 , the Commission has funded projects aimed at developing advanced forensic tools to detect substances commonly used in chemical submission, such as gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB). These projects focus on creating reliable, easy-to-use detection methods for these substances in beverages and biological samples, which are crucial for timely intervention and evidence collection in sexual assault cases 3 . In addition, the Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 4 , adopted in 2023, highlights the importance of early intervention and integrated care for individuals affected by trauma, including survivors of sexual violence. It promotes access to appropriate mental health and psychosocial support services across Member States, recognising the long-term psychological impacts of such experiences. 1 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, OJ L, 2024/1385, 24.5.2024, https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj. 2 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en. 3 https://cordis.europa.eu/search?q=contenttype%3D%27project%27%20AND%20programme%2Fcode%3D%2 7HORIZON-CL3-2023-FCT-01-02%27&p=1&num=10&srt=/project/contentUpdateDate:decreasing , https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101168416, https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101168195. 4 https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/comprehensive-approach-mental-health_en.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU policy on mental health
• 2025-01-13 “E-000086/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The reports to which the Honourable Member refers are inaccurate. No Commission official was instructed to monitor the livestream to which reference is made, as also stated in the answers provided by the Commission to the written questions P-000108/2025 and E-000254/2025. The Digital Services Act (DSA) 1 itself does not determine what type of content users may or may not post online. One of the aims of the DSA is to ensure that EU citizens and other persons are able to effectively exercise their freedom of expression online. 1 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1–102.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms · Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• 2025-01-03 “P-000008/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The Women, Peace and Security agenda 1 is one of the core principles of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, and a key tool in ensuring that the rights, agency and protection of women and girls are observed and upheld at all times. The agenda aims to ensure meaningful and equal participation of women in all institutions and processes of conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacebuilding and post-conflict rehabilitation. Additionally, the EU’s strategic approach emphasises participation, gender mainstreaming and leading by example as crosscutting themes. The EU's Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in External Action 2021–2025 (GAP III) 2 aims to accelerate progress on empowering women and girls, and safeguard gains made on gender equality. The EU has a long history supporting gender equality and women’s rights in Syria. This has been done through support to Syrian women’s civil society, humanitarian support with a gender lens, participation in the United Nations-led political process (Syrian Women’s Advisory Board and Civil Society Support Room), and also by supporting the various accountability mechanisms, which have done work with a gender perspective. The EU is supporting a Syrianowned and Syrian-led inclusive 3 transition, based on respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, for all its citizens. Regarding the interactions with the new leadership, the Foreign Minister of the temporary authorities met with the High Representative/Vice-President in Riyadh on 12 January 2025 in the margins of the meeting on Syria hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On 17 January 2025, the Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management visited Damascus, where she announced a new humanitarian package for 2025 amounting to EUR 235 million to support Syrians, both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. 1 https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n00/720/18/pdf/n0072018.pdf?OpenElement 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-01/join-2020-17-final_en.pdf 3 As set out in the Council conclusions on the situation in the Middle East of 27 January 2025 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2025/01/27/”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU-Syria relations
• 2024-12-15 “P-002951/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission In her appearance before the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control (2023 discharge), the High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) stated that, in principle, no EU Delegations would close, while underlining that the European External Action Service’s effectiveness and efficiency could be further improved in close coordination with the Commission with regard to its staff in EU Delegations and their functions. In the context of reduced budgetary resources and the new priorities and policies of the EU, it is necessary to ensure that the Delegations network is able to effectively deliver, including with relevant expertise in the field and new EU priorities. The EU will continue to strengthen and develop relations with partners globally, acting together with Member States in a Team Europe approach. In Africa, the EU will aim at consolidating a partnership of equals, notably through a co-investment agenda under the Global Gateway 1 , as stated in the HR/VP hearing. Moreover, EU Delegations are key in promoting the EU’s foreign policy objectives including by reinforcing and sustaining the EU’s fight against foreign information manipulation and interference. The EU Delegations play an essential role in the EU’s representation on the global stage. In the current complex geopolitical context, including with the EU’s main partners, the EU will continue to reflect and examine on the effectiveness and efficiency of its Delegations network around the world. No decision has been made on strengthening the EU’s presence in any particular country. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/globalgateway_en”
  EU policy on the Indo-Pacific region · EU policy on African region · EU diplomatic representation
• 2024-10-09 “P-002000/2024 Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be launched as soon as all the required conditions are met, in accordance with the EES Regulation 1 . 2. On 25 September 2024, the EU-LISA 2 Management Board invited the Commission to assess the feasibility of a progressive start of operation of the EES in all Member States. This approach was discussed in the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 10 October 2024 and it has been considered as the best way forward for a swift progress. The Commission is now finalising its legal assessment and therefore is not in a position to provide further details. 3. The EES is designed to offer a better travel experience and gradually reduce waiting times at the external borders, especially when using tools such as automated border control systems, the pre-registration application and national facilitation programmes. Each Member State is responsible for managing its external borders and activate these tools as appropriate. In this respect, Member States have reported that they have adapted their procedures and taken risk mitigating measures, as well as set up security plans, business continuity and disaster recovery plans. These contingency measures aim at addressing exceptional circumstances that may result in excessive waiting times. Moreover, the Commission has equipped Member States with information materials to ensure that travellers are adequately informed which will further support the acceleration of the border crossings. 1 Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EU) No 1077/2011. 2 European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Thank you very much, chair. My first question was very short, so I hope I can get a couple of seconds. Um, at a certain point, uh, Mr. Jamin, welcome in our committee. I have a couple of questions for you, but I would like to make, um, a couple of observations first. I truly believe that there is no such thing as soft drugs. We urgently need a cultural shift regarding drugs and how we see it in our society. It's the crime that it inspires is as brutal as terrorism. We fight terrorism with a lot of means. We should do the same. Also with, uh, with drugs. You rightly refer, therefore, to the necessity and power of international cooperation to team up against drugs related crime. The example of Sky ECC is the biggest one to follow. The issue of illegal drugs is unfortunately not only limited to criminal circles alone, and it is a monster with so many heads. Exactly one year ago, we reached the agreement to strengthen the mandate of the EU Drugs Agency and to step up the fight against drugs. So far, drug related crimes and violence remains a serious concern, with shootings in Brussels recently and also in other places in Europe, and more investment of dirty money in the in the black economy. And It is our responsibility to efficiently work and to reach serious results regarding drugs in Europe. My first question is how would you effectively, with this reinforced mandate, step up the fight against drugs if you are appointed? And second, regarding the the cooperation, we have the Joint Investigation Teams collaboration platform that we approved last mandate. Do you expect a lot from from this platform if you are appointed and how do you intend to use it? And third, there are vast differences among EU member states, both in the approach to drug abuse as well as in mortality outcomes. Are all member States receptive to working with the agency, and what can you do to improve cooperation and exchange of best practices? Thank you.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “Thank you chair. Thank you, Commissioner, for your presentation and also for the good and concrete cooperation with this Parliament. Teaming up against crime and for security is the only right way forward. And most of us should admit that you did not only commit to deliver, but also took concrete action, for example, with the returns proposal and proposals on border control. As rapporteur for the entry exit exit file, I worked with colleagues to move forward as fast as possible, and I thank this committee for its support. The security of our citizens cannot wait any longer. Schengen will be undermined if we fail to protect our common borders with this gradual rollout. We aim to get the system up and running as soon as possible, as realistically possible, of course, and I'm glad about the broad support and the good cooperation between all the institutions. In addition to the ongoing files, I would like to speak about Europol, Eurojust and Frontex. A strong and effective Europol is crucial, not as a bureaucratic observer, but as a partner that can support member States with intelligence, coordination and concrete action on the ground in the face of new challenges, especially regarding organised crime and drugs. Crime. Eurojust suffers also from a lack of financial resources and faces legislative loopholes.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Yes. Thank you. I will speak in in in Dutch. Mr. Colegas colleagues. Conversion therapy is forbidden in Flanders and Belgium, and rightly so. It came with a proposal from my party in 2019 from Darius I and Zoe Dumais in Belgium. Conversion therapy are now explicitly punishable by law. This is a full ban on any practices that try to change or put pressure on someone's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. And there's a full ban on this, but we can't criminalize parents talking to children. Everyone, including LGBTI people, have an inherent value. They have to be able to be protected against unfair treatment or discrimination. No one should be subject to violence either. This compels us to take responsibility, including through an European initiative. There are a number of questions that we have to have answered in this domain. The organisers have said that there is very little data about conversion practices. In fact, only one EU member state appears in the report where there is a clear. Examples of this. We have a lot of work to do. However, we have to really look at how widespread this practice is and what the current legislative regulatory framework is. Member states. We do this in Belgium. We also have to pay attention who children who may be misinformed. It's no longer fashionable to be heterosexual. Heterosexual. And this also needs to be protected. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “Dear colleagues, the only Russian assets existing in Belgium are sitting at Euroclear, not in the office of the Prime Minister. Belgium has been and remain a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. I deeply regret that last week Belgium was singled out for raising legitimate legal and financial concerns about the EU plan to use frozen Russian central bank assets parked at Euroclear to support Ukraine. While legitimate questions because there is no such thing as free money, there is always a risk and nobody thought about who will pay. Belgium was asked to carry all the way alone to bear. As one member state and its taxpayers, a disproportionate share of the legal and financial financial risk. How is that fair and realistic as a map? As a democratically elected member of this Parliament, it must be said clearly Blackmail and threats of isolation like last week are not path to a stronger Europe. No member state should ever be treated as a vessel. Prime Minister has shown courage by standing with Ukraine and by standing at the same time for Belgian citizens. And he is right to insist that European solidarity cannot be reckless exposure for one member state. I fully support him.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “(19:27:37 – 19:28:13): Dear colleague, I I really appreciate all your work on behalf of many people for human rights, and that's why I would like to ask you to this question based on a situation in Brussels, which is also known in Sweden, other European countries. Lot of young people who are underage are actually staying illegally in Europe, and they are used by organized crime to sell drugs or to perpetuate other kind of crimes or become prostitutes. That's why we're working on a return directive on a return regulation to make sure that this is no longer possible. What is your take on that? Do you see these young people also are victims or not?”
  Asylum & border control
• “Europol's results will be lost if, at justice level, we fail to finish the job. Frontex also was established with great ambition, as we all know, and that is linked to our migration system that is still not successful and is failing to deliver, mainly due to the lack of clarity. Schengen needs more clarity and consistency regarding its mandate. Which concrete changes do you intend to propose regarding the mandate and capabilities of Europol, Frontex and Eurojust and by when and how will these changes improve Europol operational strength and effectiveness in helping to dismantle criminal networks? How will it improve for Schengen and for for Frontex and for Eurojust in protecting our Member States and citizens? Finally, regarding hate crime, it is important to fight anti-Semitism and build a Europe where Jewish schools do not need to have ambulances and police vehicles in front of the doors because of threats. We need schools and museums to be free of access, no restrictions and the danger gone. Can you elaborate on any plans regarding hate crime and the protection of journalists and politicians like myself, who are sometimes threatened by extremists. Thank you very much.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · Jewish culture and antisemitism
• “Thank you very much. Welcome to our committee. I, I think we can we can be relieved in Europe that we have so far avoided an an epidemic like the US has seen. And but people are still dying from overdoses and drug abuse. There are shootings in our cities. There are also people, people dying from gang wars, um, in neighborhoods that used to be peaceful. I know that the DEA is a center of scientific expertise, but what are ways in which the agency can contribute to combating the scourge of drug trafficking and its consequences in our neighborhoods? Thank you.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “Now. Madam president, ladies and gentlemen, today we've taken an important step in the fight against one of the most horrific forms of criminality, the sexual abuse of children. Every day that we hesitate, children are suffering. This directive is not about compromises on paper. It's not about political colour. It's about our children. It's about the fact that abuse today shouldn't be allowed to happen behind closed doors. It shouldn't be in deep fakes in pixel pixels on screen, because the consequences are deeper than our legislation can cope with. We need to move on from acts of symbolism. Symbolism. We need action. As a rapporteur for opinion, I am proud of the work we've done on this. I'd like to thank Mr. Lynas and all the other staff who've been very constructive in the work we've done. What we have before us today is not a technical adoption or adaptation of a directive. It is a handbook to do something because what we have at the moment is failing our children. Perpetrators are hiding behind outdated legislation and we see victims who are suffering without recognition or rights. We have to make sure that victims have the time to speak when they are ready to do that, not when the clock forces them to do that. The internet has to be made safer. International cooperation needs to be improved. Criminal sentences need to be more serious. We need more support for victims. These victims are the ones who carry the scars for the length of their lives, and they have the issue of shame as well. Now, the text we have here is not perfect, but it's something that we have to work with. Let us not forget, however, why we are here. We're here to protect children. So my appeal is to support this text from the Parliament to show that regardless of political colour and ideology, that we can stand shoulder to shoulder for some of the fundamental rights and values, and that is those of every child.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “Thank you very much, chair. I would like to welcome you to our committee to present your intention to. To be appointed to lead a UDA. Last year the EMC DDA became the UDA and with it it came up with an expanded mandate, extra resources and a lot of support for the member from the Member States and from this Parliament. It was exactly one year ago. So my question to you is the following. Almost one year later into the new mandate, what do you think is going well and where does the UDA still need to start delivering? Thank you.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you, Madam President. Dear Commissioner. Last time it was going to be a geopolitical commission regarding the results. Obviously none of our enemies or allies is impressed. This time it's about the simplification of regulation and economic competitiveness. Yet our businesses are not hopeful, and we have spent time recently chasing American companies instead of American tech companies instead of growing our own. We are so excellent at making big plans, but not efficient at achieving concrete results. Families do not eat plants for dinner, and security on paper will not protect our women in the streets against rape. Citizens Against Crime or our Ports against drug related violence. Eternal plans on paper will not fix issues like the return policy. A key area that has been neglected. Migration policy, especially return, is a key priority and I appreciate the fact that the proposal is coming. I am worried about the fact that the left could block it again. Security threats, especially terrorism, is far from being defeated and we keep giving money to the wrong people and organisations. We don't care about the lack of respect for our principles. I call on the commission to work with the forces in this House who really want to defend our security, competitiveness and future. If you do this, we will be respected and trusted.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Thank you very much, chair. I would like to thank. Thank you all for your presentations. It's always a pleasure to exchange on how to fight better against crime. Waste trafficking is indeed very concerning, especially for environment and human health, but also on the way, in the way in which the tremendous revenue. I read between 4 billion and 15 billion annually further fuels organized crime and corruption. Maybe you can elaborate a little bit on that. And further questions I have are the following. What is the most lacking in your opinion today? Is it capacity, legislative, legislative loopholes, or simply political will to actually dismantle or address these networks at European level? Further on, could you elaborate on the link between, um, the waste trafficking and drugs? That part is not very clear for me. And finally, what should change in terms of international cooperation and regarding the cooperation between Eurojust and Europol? Thank you very much.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “Thank you. Chair. Let me start with a simple but essential truth. Spyware is a double edged sword. On one hand, it's a vital tool for law enforcement in the fight against crime and terrorism. On the other hand, the same technology can, of course, be abused. The real question is not whether we use technology, but how we use it. Always with respect for the rule of law, always aware of the risk and always with the courage to confront abuse head on. Considering that chats on WhatsApp are end to end encrypted, I have a question for meta today. Would you be able to elaborate on the role that encryption plays in cases of spyware? And more broadly, how can WhatsApp detect cases linked to online crimes, such as child sexual abuse material, in an end to end encrypted environment? I have, of course, read your own statements on this, but we also know from reporting that a lot of child sexual abuse material passes through your platform without being detected by meta. Finally, in cases like Sezam, so that we voted about today in this committee and for which I'm the shadow rapporteur, is it possible to break encryption to fight child sexual abuse online? And in your view, is it possible without giving access to law enforcement authorities or not? And what are the challenges that you face? Thank you.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “Dear president von der Leyen, the truth is that the left killed the Drudge Report before your plane even took off, and then blamed you for standing by the corpse. The public remains anxious all over Europe and angry. We see it today here in France. People worry about transparency, security, respect for the European values. A more powerful voice at the international stage. Protection for their businesses. Justice and law enforcement. A realistic migration policy to address these concerns. We cannot afford to be blindsided. Cowards or hypocrites? So, was your speech an appropriate answer today? I have some doubts. I heard a lot of new initiatives. Some of it sounded like more bureaucracy to me. You smuggled the deregulation agenda in there, but it seemed like you had to hide it from the socialists. You are afraid to lose their support. You accept their blackmail. Why? A centre right majority is possible in this House. A majority that will reduce red tape. A majority that will protect our citizens. A majority that will set the innovative powers of our private sector free. The future of Europe cannot be secured with the left but with the centre.”
  Von der Leyen
• “Yes. Thank you. I will speak in in in Dutch. Mr. Colegas colleagues. Conversion therapy is forbidden in Flanders and Belgium, and rightly so. It came with a proposal from my party in 2019 from Darius I and Zoe Dumais in Belgium. Conversion therapy are now explicitly punishable by law. This is a full ban on any practices that try to change or put pressure on someone's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. And there's a full ban on this, but we can't criminalize parents talking to children. Everyone, including LGBTI people, have an inherent value. They have to be able to be protected against unfair treatment or discrimination. No one should be subject to violence either. This compels us to take responsibility, including through an European initiative. There are a number of questions that we have to have answered in this domain. The organisers have said that there is very little data about conversion practices. In fact, only one EU member state appears in the report where there is a clear. Examples of this. We have a lot of work to do. However, we have to really look at how widespread this practice is and what the current legislative regulatory framework is. Member states. We do this in Belgium. We also have to pay attention who children who may be misinformed. It's no longer fashionable to be heterosexual. Heterosexual. And this also needs to be protected. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “Yes. Thank you. I will speak in in in Dutch. Mr. Colegas colleagues. Conversion therapy is forbidden in Flanders and Belgium, and rightly so. It came with a proposal from my party in 2019 from Darius I and Zoe Dumais in Belgium. Conversion therapy are now explicitly punishable by law. This is a full ban on any practices that try to change or put pressure on someone's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. And there's a full ban on this, but we can't criminalize parents talking to children. Everyone, including LGBTI people, have an inherent value. They have to be able to be protected against unfair treatment or discrimination. No one should be subject to violence either. This compels us to take responsibility, including through an European initiative. There are a number of questions that we have to have answered in this domain. The organisers have said that there is very little data about conversion practices. In fact, only one EU member state appears in the report where there is a clear. Examples of this. We have a lot of work to do. However, we have to really look at how widespread this practice is and what the current legislative regulatory framework is. Member states. We do this in Belgium. We also have to pay attention who children who may be misinformed. It's no longer fashionable to be heterosexual. Heterosexual. And this also needs to be protected. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+