Mounir SATOURI

Policy topics Mounir SATOURI is active on

What Mounir SATOURI has said (66)

• 2026-06-16 “(11:10:05 – 11:11:25): Madam vice president, it's important to say things clearly sometimes. The American president can shout about a diplomatic victory, but nobody has been, duped. The peace agreement simply, takes us a a step back, paying tolls on the Straits Of Hormuz, for example. And what have you achieved? There's thousands of dead, massive destruction. The global economy has been held hostage. It is a very vague agreement that Europe is supposed to support, and, Israel is already violating. And what is, what are we doing to stop, Israel's actions? We cannot sanction the genocide in Gaza, the occupation of the West Bank, or the Lebanon. We cannot sanction a supremacist, minister, stop, products from the, colonized areas coming into the EU, unable to stop war crimes, in this country. History is watching, and it will remember the lack of action from the EU and the member states. Thank you very much.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2026-06-15 “Thank you very much, David. Your release, Andre Potchabut, and the fact that you're here this afternoon fill us with hope. In a world that often lives in dark times, your battle symbolizes resistance in the face of oppression. You were thrown into jail because you stood by facts, but you refused to give up despite the autocratic practices despite the autocratic practices against this, it shows that just causes win the day. The Sakharov Prize shows, or celebrates the voices that some try and stifle. It celebrates those who defend the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. These values are at the heart of our common project and have to be, at the heart of our foreign policy. Today, it is your courage and resistance that we pay tribute to and celebrate, but it is through your battle that we also that you also symbolize the collective fight of the Belarusian people for freedom, and we hope that democracy and the rule of law will return to your people. I'm thinking of the hundreds of political prisoners that are in your country's jails. Belarusian defenders, about a 170, are fragile because of their age, because of their prison conditions, and so on. UN experts talk about torture, suicide attempts, death and torture. And the UN also talks about forced expulsions. However, we cannot list all the political prisoners that you are trying to release. But I would like to talk about 1 particular case, which is very shocking. Aleksandra Polinovich, who is very young and is in a penitentiary colony, and she's under 17. The European parliament will be voting on a resolution this week calling for her release. Your, release and that of mister Yeletsky and other political prisoners of the last few months have given us great joy, But we mustn't forget that the fight continues and that, it needs even more support. I hope there will be a day when we will welcome other former political prisoners of Belarus as well as, your co laureate, Zia, Amaglo Bailey. But it is very clear that we have continue our commitment and to work hand in hand with many other players. As you said, there is no magic wand. There's no magic formula to improve the situation. We have to find the means to support those who, like you, fight against oppression. Thank you.”
  EU-Belarus relations
• 2026-02-06 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 18.5.2026 Written question In line with the EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030 [1] that commits the EU to support biodiversity globally, t he Commission resumed its financial support to the Odzala Kokoua National Park in August 2024 for a duration of 36 months through its NaturAfrica programme [2] . The main objective is to protect wildlife and key ecosystems while offering opportunities in green sectors for local populations. The EU provides additional support to this landscape under its Transition to Green Economy programme [3] enhancing agroecological practices and sustainable and inclusive value chains around the park. The Commission could not get access to Omnia’s full report but regularly checked with African Parks the progress of Omnia’s investigation. The Commission took good notes of its conclusions as per Omnia public statement [4] and of the corrective measures decided by the Board of African Parks [5] . As per the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe Regulation [6] , the Commission applies a human rights-based approach to all its actions. The implementation of the corrective measures — strengthening of the Odzala Indigenous Peoples Plan, partnership with local human rights non-governmental organisations, human rights impact assessment, development of a remedy framework and review of access rights — is supported by the EU’s financial contribution. Progress in their implementation is detailed in regular reports received by the EU Delegation in the Republic of Congo. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52020DC0380 . [2] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/programming/programmes/naturafrica_en . [3] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/congo-republic_en . [4] https://omniastrategy.com/statement-upon-conclusion-of-independent-human-rights-investigation/ . [5] https://www.africanparks.org/sites/default/files/African%20Parks%20Response%20to%20Investigation%20into%20Allegations%20of%20Human%20Rights%20Abuses%20%282%29.pdf . [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj .”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid
• 2025-05-05 “P-001801/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The EU has been consistently clear in its position that settlements are illegal under international law and repeatedly condemned Israel’s settlement policy and the occupation of the Palestinian territory that began in 1967. As reiterated by the European Council on 27 June 1 and 17 October 2024 2 , the EU has recalled the requirement for Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, to fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances. EU positions and policies are fully aligned with United Nations (UN) resolutions on the status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and are therefore overall consistent with the conclusions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the OPT, including East Jerusalem, of 19 July 2024 3 , as regards the duty of non-recognition, the duty to distinguish in the dealings with Israel between its territory and the OPT, and the duty of non-assistance. With regard to the duty to distinguish in the dealings with Israel between its territory and the OPT, the EU has taken care to fully comply with the obligations set out in paragraph 278 of the ICJ Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024 and point 4(d) of the UN General Council resolution of 13 September 2024 4 . The Commission continues to monitor the situation in the OPT and has already listed nine individuals and five entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank. The EU is firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace and has spared no effort to work with partners to revive the political process towards the implementation of a two-state solution. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga/euco-conclusions-27062024-en.pdf. 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/2pebccz2/20241017-euco-conclusions-en.pdf. 3 Summary of the Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024, https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204176. 4 https://docs.un.org/en/A/ES-10/L.31/Rev.1.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “The multilateral system, based on international law that was founded is obviously an obstacle to. We must make sure that we don't undermine geopolitical credibility. Yesterday, the Conference of Ambassadors and Mrs. von der Leyen gave a speech a world of segregation, racism, colonialism, forced labour, totalitarian and authoritarian states. This is a world where the European Union, the United Nations, ICC, civil society, victim protection of victims would not exist. If we proceed along the lines of her statement, it would be a Trumpist world, a world where there's nothing else that can be proposed. The idea is we need rights. We need justice, not arbitrariness. And the ICC with its partner members is a political choice. This is what we want to offer the world and this is what we represent. It's our sovereignty. It's not a question. It's an obligation. Thank you.”
  Support for International Criminal Court
• “Mr. president.Thank you very much, chair, and thank you to our invited guests for presenting their work. Supplying raw materials coming from Africa is essential for the green and digital transitions in Europe. Better traceability of these products is essential so that we can look at where they come from and how they are used. We need to be able to check and make sure that our sustainability commitments are respected, particularly when it comes to human rights, working conditions, protecting the environment and the fight against corruption. Cooperating with African countries about using their raw materials and importing them to Europe has to ensure that human rights are respected. And that's why the European Parliament has called for a suspension of the agreement with Rwanda on critical raw materials. Until such a time as this country stops exporting, uh, exporting minerals from areas controlled by the 23 group and in areas controlled by Rwanda. This is an urgent matter, and the joint subcommittee organised a discussion on the impact of supply and raw materials in February, and the impact thereof on local communities in Africa and South America. We decided that we needed reinforced measures to guarantee human rights across the supply chain, and we needed further implication of the individuals in that supply chain.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Before handing back to our panelists in the same order as beforehand, I would like to ask a question myself. Isabel just sketched out the background, what we're talking about. Ines Vieira voiced similar concerns. We are seeing a clear erosion of democracy, a narrowing of civic spaces and an intensification of due strategic, strategic instability. So what appears to be emerging from the new global instrument, a global Europe instrument is the dilution of human rights measures. Specific programs have disappeared. There are no specific figures now regarding spending on democracy and human rights. What mechanisms have been provided to ensure that programmes focusing on human rights and democracy are actually implemented in reality, in each and every geographical zone? And what measures have been provided to ensure that their impact can be measured? That's very important. So if you could clarify that, we would be and reassure us, would be delighted. So I'd like to hand back once again in the same order, starting with Mr. Plotka for five minutes.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Thank you everyone. The first panel has now come to an end. Thank you. Now session two. Here we go again. Welcome to everyone for the second panel. Thank you so much for being here. This year we have decided to look at children who are affected by armed conflicts. So child soldiers, forcibly displaced children and children in places of detention. And it's not an accident that we're talking about this. So I think it's indicative of the current situation worldwide. There are so many regional conflicts taking place, severely affecting the life of children. We have numbers that say that 14,000 children were killed in Palestine this year, more than 200. In Lebanon, more than 650. In Ukraine. And we deeply regret the one, the 19,500 Ukrainian children who were deported to Russia. And and those are just a few examples. We have various guest speakers with us today. The first is Miss Anne Schintgen, head of office of the UN Liaison Office for Children and Armed Conflict in Europe. You have the floor for seven minutes.”
  International humanitarian alignment with UN
• “I deplore the smear campaign against NGOs which have been unfairly stigmatized as a part of Qatar Gate, and in the context of the global human rights crisis. The NGO Doha Partnership is fundamental. I, therefore grateful to representatives of the network for having accepted our invitation to join us today. And without further ado, I give the floor to our three guests, starting with Camilo Tovar from the International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights. You have the floor.”
  Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• “Thank you Barry. I'm very happy that we're able to meet today and have this session with four different parliamentary committees represented. This is not just a discussion. It shows our visceral attachment to the principle of multilateralism and what we've been building after the worst, the ravages of what came before. We now have the UN system. So we're celebrating now the 80th anniversary of the UN charter. And we must remember what it represents. Hope and saying never again to war. Eight decades in which we've seen that the UN has been the legal has been the legal underpinning of our of our society. How many wars might have broken out? How many disputes would have gone unresolved without any type of recourse? And now we have human rights without with its fragile architecture, but irreplaceable, which has been built up over generations by men and women imbued with dignity. The UN is not perfect, but it it remains the essential pillar of human rights. The UN, despite all of the obstacles, proves day after day that international cooperation can achieve great things when it's based on willingness and truth. Thanks to the Universal Periodic Review, each nation agrees to be assessed by its peers, which is an act of transparency and unparalleled responsibility.”
  International humanitarian alignment with UN
• “So Afghanistan is a country in which half of society women cannot express themselves with devastating consequences for their lives. Normal things like working, going to school, or even simply walking down the street have become severely restricted or even impossible. I'm not going to go through are my speech that I prepared. But I will hand the floor to the delegation here so the the floor is free.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “In our most recent report on human rights and democracy, which was adopted in January, we insisted on the fact that given the current context of deterioration of human rights, the world level, then we have to ensure that there is true respect and proper protection of human rights and freedoms, and this should be the cornerstone of the European Union's external policy. So the question we have to ask is, what is the role of the European Union when it comes to these serious violations, which are carried out in countries which up till now have been traditional allies of the European Union? What tools do we have and how can they be adapted to the current situation to allow us to guarantee universal application of human rights, those that we defend? I would like to warmly thank the speakers who have accepted to come along to reply to this question, Mrs. Alison Parker, the deputy director for the United States Program of Human Rights Watch, and Mr. Palaiokastro, deputy director general for the Americas within the European External Action Service. Who is here with us in the room, on the podium. But before I hand them the floor, I would like to turn to you, dear Brandon Benifit, and give you a couple of minutes for your introductory comments.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “I hand over to the members, uh, glory First, who represents our subcommittee of the equality of men and women. Thank you very much.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Well, if I've understood the left doesn't want to put a question now. So the last coordinator on behalf of the ESN has the floor. Would you like to take the floor, sir?”
  EU political integration
• “Dear colleagues, if you could all take your seats, please, because we are going to resume the meeting. This is the last point on the agenda of our meeting point ten, and it's the role of the European Union when it comes to respect of human rights in the external area, including with the traditional allies. And we're going to be focusing particularly on Ice, Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforcement in the United States. So, dear colleagues, welcome to this exchange of views, together with the delegation for relations with the United States. And I would like to warmly welcome, welcome. With great pleasure. The chair of the delegation, Brando Benifet, who is sitting up here with me on the podium. I would like to inform you that this exchange of views is being broadcast on EBS. Dear colleagues, I don't think I need to remind you that the international human rights system is a subject to considerable pressure and faces many challenges, and the European Union is going to have to adapt its external action to an ever more unstable international environment. There are new concerns being added to some of the more traditional worries that we've had, and these are coming from traditional allied countries such as the United States. And today we're going to be focusing on quite an emblematic example. And that is the actions by Ice.”
  EU-US relations
• “I speak French, Mr. Chairman. Dear Ilan, like you, I'm very happy that this hearing is a manifestation of the deep cooperation between our two committees. All of the forces in Parliament need to be mobilized on the issue at hand. International law. The. The last annual report on the situation of Human Rights and democracy in the world was adopted in plenary on the 21st of January. Discrediting and attacking multilateral organizations has serious consequences and fosters a culture of impunity. International institutions, their officials and entities which cooperate with them are increasingly the target of attacks and threats. The international community, including the European Union, has a duty to defend international law and the rule based order by making sure that the rules are respected by all, including their partners. This is a difficult time for international justice, and it's regrettable that the EU's blocking statute has not yet been activated to protect the ICC from the extraterritorial effects of sanctions. To give you an example, we have two academics, two university professors in Europe. One has declined an invitation because they hold an American passport. So this has limitations on academic freedom and freedom of expression. I would like to thank Cedric Ringgaard, who will talk to us about the legal framework for immunity in the United Nations and the International Criminal Court. Along with his recommendations, we also have Betty Haller, judge on the International Criminal Court. Miss Haller is a judge who is continuing her work despite the US sanctions, and I thank her for participating in our work. Your immunity deserves to be protected by the states party to the Rome Statute. I also want to welcome the presence of DG Fisma, from whom we'll be hearing about the blocking statute. We know that this is a sensitive matter, and we appreciate that. We're going to hear from you about technical aspects of the blocking statute, and we look forward to hearing from the commissioner at a later date. Let me start by inviting Professor Ringer to speak to us for seven minutes.”
  Support for International Criminal Court
• “Thank you for that, Mr. Tarquinio. I forgot to say, you represent us within the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Network. Mr. Gaeta. No. Caterina Vieira for the Greens.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Thank you very much. We have the head of the governance and democratic sector of DG Unpa here, Mr. Marovic. You have the floor now, just for a few minutes for any comments you'd like to make or any conclusions or any responses.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you very much, Vice President, for those introductory remarks. The first session will be devoted to the implementation of the Convention on Children's Rights within the EU's external policy. At this stage, I would like to welcome all our speakers and thank them for being here. I'll start by giving the floor to Bertrand Banville, who is a Unicef representative to the European Union. You have seven minutes. Over to you.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Yes. Thank you very much for those comments. I have heard the discussion and debate. But to declare a country to be safe when only a short time ago, the president of that country called upon the tracking down of anybody that had a black skin, and that there have been atrocities which have been documented by the European press and even where national people were, um, chased after by certain locals and where the European In Parliament voted by a huge majority a resolution to defend these human rights. I must say I have heard, listen to the discussion, heard the comments, but I feel that there's a lack of consistency. But I'll leave it at that. We're now going to interrupt the meeting to go along to the plenary sitting. This is for the colleagues to mark the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the war of aggression against Russia, against Ukraine. We're going to be meeting again at 3 p.m. this afternoon for a joint hearing with Yuri, Committee on Immunity of United Nations and ICC staff, not in this room, but in five, two and this five two. And this afternoon, together with my Ukrainian counterpart, I'm going to be signing a joint statement about the dreadful impact of on human rights and the people of Ukraine, of the war. So I wish you a good plenary. Thank you.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “European legislation on critical raw materials comes into force in 2024, came into force in 2024, and does offer a framework to make sure that imports and exports do respect human rights, and that we have traceability of minerals from the mine to import into the EU at one and the same time, the global gateway programmes. And for raw materials coming from Africa, we do have to make sure that it is implemented correctly. We want to make sure that. Well, not all projects on that continent are subject to parliamentary security scrutiny. And so we need to make sure that all raw materials projects do respect the highest standards of human rights and involve stakeholders that we have accountability of the stakeholders. Traceability, transparency, respect of human rights should be the foundations of any EU supply efforts in critical raw materials, particularly coming from Africa. That commitment is essential in order to protect vulnerable populations, but also to guarantee the sustainability and the legitimacy of the digital and green transitions within the EU.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Their courage was instrumental in keeping the case of Allah at the forefront of global attention. As chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, I welcome this release as proof that perseverance, international solidarity, and a constant call for fundamental values can make a real difference. This is not an outcome in itself, but an essential, an essential step. We hope that this gesture will not remain isolated, but that it will pave the way for further releases also requested by this House, and for an environment where all human rights defenders can act without fear. The European Parliament has repeatedly called in its resolutions for the release of Ali Abdel Fattah. These calls were part of a broader international mobilisation. Today's. These requests have found a concrete echo. It is therefore our responsibility to continue to support not only alla, but all those who are imprisoned, harassed or intimidated for exercising their inalienable rights. May this moment be a milestone in the universal defence of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. And now move on to item three, the chair's announcements concerning coordinators decisions in accordance with rule 220 of Parliament's rules and procedures. The final minutes of the decisions of the coordinators meeting on the 4th of September, 2025 were uploaded to the internet site, together with the other documents of those meetings. The decisions will be attached to the minutes of today's meeting and if no objections are raised, the decisions shall be deemed to have been approved.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “10th of February. Figures are frightening. At the present time, 470 million children live in conflict zones. More than 250,000 have been subject to violent recruitment or use in armed forces around the world. In recent years, violence against children in armed conflicts has reached unprecedented levels. Nevertheless, the recruitment and use of children as soldiers are, of course, outlawed by international humanitarian law, and the Rome Statute of the ICC defines the use of children or child soldiers under the age of 15 as a war crime. The European Union has been striving to tackle this problem back in 2003. Guidelines on the use of children in armed conflicts were adopted. Updated in 2024. Today, we'll be working with our experts to ascertain whether this response is adequate and talk about possible avenues to strengthen our measures so as to protect these children affected by armed conflict and tackling the problem at its root source. Online today we have Vanessa Frasier, who is the deputy secretary general special representative of the United Nations for Children and Conflict. She's online. We all, of course, read very carefully the most recent report dated December 2025. We also have Ramin Zamani, director of War Child Netherlands. Alice Matthews, head of unit, head of division for human rights in the European External Action Service. So first of all, over to you, Mr. Casey, for three minutes.”
  Disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons
• “Microphone for the speaker, please. Moving on to item 11. The penultimate one on today's agenda. Right. Let's resume the pleasure. Pleasure to open up this exchange on the European Parliament's second Disability Rights Week. We insisted on taking part in this important event, the second consecutive year, because we are determined to see to it that all people with disabilities can have an independent life and be a fully integrated part of society. 16% of global population estimated to live lives with a formal disability. This number is even higher in regions hit by long lasting conflict. In 2006, the UN adopted the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, which is as a human rights instrument with an explicit social development Dimension, and that reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The convention was signed by the European Union and 163 other parties, including every EU member state, and was the fastest negotiated human rights treaty in history. The EU is active in drafting policies for peoples, people with disabilities and developing an inclusive humanitarian programme organised by the European Commission. Today we're going to have a debate, um, where we want to reinforce the sense of urgency, of upholding the commitments of the EU strategy of the rights of persons with disabilities, 21 2030 in the EU has adopted action plans in various areas, especially when it comes to rights of persons with disabilities. With a comprehensive approach to the external dimension of this policy, many humanitarian NGOs are focusing on support and defending rights of people with disabilities. One of the main NGOs in this area is the European um forum. European Disability Forum, and we've got the pleasure of having Miss Catherine Norton here today, the Executive director. Thank you for being here today. And we've also got Mr. Barbary here today, a member of the European Economic and Social Committee and vice president of its Civil Society Organisations group. Over to you, director. Six minutes. But if it's five, that's fine too.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I hope all of you are well. I'd like to suggest we start with item one, which is the approval of the agenda. Any comments? Apparently not. In that case, we can deem the agenda to be adopted. Second item. Chairman's announcements. I would remind you that this meeting is public and is broadcast on internet interpretation available in French, German, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Polish and Hungarian. Three urgent resolutions were adopted during the last meeting according to the systematic oppression. Inhuman. Inhumane conditions and arbitrary detention carried out by the Iranian regime targeted expulsion of foreign Christians and journalists in Turkey under the pretext of national security. The Post-electoral situation in Uganda and threats regarding Bobi Wine, head of the opposition. Item three pursuant to article 220 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament, the minutes of decisions taken during the meeting of coordinators of the subcommittee on the 27th of January have been downloaded to the subcommittee's site with other documents and failing remarks today, those would be deemed to be adopted. Adoption of the minutes. First of all, the meeting of the 13th of October 2025 on the site together with other meeting documents. If there are no objections, once again those minutes are deemed to be adopted. Moving on now to the main item today. This is an exchange of views regarding the European Union's response to the role of children in armed conflict, marking the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Yes, thank you very much. I'm going to ask the panel to reply, but in reverse order. So we're going to be starting off with Mrs. Bouslama, who's going to start. But I'd like to say something. We've been talking about very many things. Justice. There was one thing that made me rather sad. I don't want us to continue our debate without referring to this. Osama Ismail, um, from Libya. He used to be responsible for prisons in Tripoli. He was present on European soil in Italy, and it was covered by an arrest warrant from the ICC for crimes against humanity. The authorities in Italy rather than. Dealing with this according to the rules? Well, he was just accompanied back home. So where is the justice when it comes to. It's an important aspect in externalization of migration. Obviously, we have certain political positions when it comes to migration, respect to fundamental rights. Justice has to be guaranteed. But what about the possibility to appeal to for those people who have been victims? And so, uh, the this particular case I've referred to, we were complicit. So it means that basically by dealing with him in the way we did, we weren't allowing justice for the victims. I'm a Democrat, obviously, I respect the rule of law, but I think there should have been a trial in that particular case. And I feel that, um, if he wasn't handed over. Maybe it was because there was a desire to hide European responsibility as to what's going on in Libya. So I'll leave it at that and I'll hand the floor to Mrs. Bouslama. You have three minutes, 3 to 4 minutes. Each member of the panel, 3 to 4 minutes to reply. We are a bit short for time because there's an extraordinary sitting today in the European Parliament.”
  Support for International Criminal Court
• “Microphone for the speaker, please. Moving on to item 11. The penultimate one on today's agenda. Right. Let's resume the pleasure. Pleasure to open up this exchange on the European Parliament's second Disability Rights Week. We insisted on taking part in this important event, the second consecutive year, because we are determined to see to it that all people with disabilities can have an independent life and be a fully integrated part of society. 16% of global population estimated to live lives with a formal disability. This number is even higher in regions hit by long lasting conflict. In 2006, the UN adopted the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, which is as a human rights instrument with an explicit social development Dimension, and that reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The convention was signed by the European Union and 163 other parties, including every EU member state, and was the fastest negotiated human rights treaty in history. The EU is active in drafting policies for peoples, people with disabilities and developing an inclusive humanitarian programme organised by the European Commission. Today we're going to have a debate, um, where we want to reinforce the sense of urgency, of upholding the commitments of the EU strategy of the rights of persons with disabilities, 21 2030 in the EU has adopted action plans in various areas, especially when it comes to rights of persons with disabilities. With a comprehensive approach to the external dimension of this policy, many humanitarian NGOs are focusing on support and defending rights of people with disabilities. One of the main NGOs in this area is the European um forum. European Disability Forum, and we've got the pleasure of having Miss Catherine Norton here today, the Executive director. Thank you for being here today. And we've also got Mr. Barbary here today, a member of the European Economic and Social Committee and vice president of its Civil Society Organisations group. Over to you, director. Six minutes. But if it's five, that's fine too.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “We need to join forces in order to make this landmark treaty even more effective in forcing the care, treatment, survival and development, protection and participation of all children without discrimination. Today's public hearing will take place over the course of two sessions. I'd like to welcome all our speakers who come from UN agencies, civil society organizations and EU institutions. We look forward to hearing their valuable input and to exchanging with them. We've also invited the Libe committee to attend this public hearing, and we have Miss Gosiewska from the ECR Group representing and a Polish MEP who is the focal point for children's rights in the Committee on Development. We're also happy to welcome the Vice President of the European Parliament, Eva Kopas, who is coordinator on children's rights at the European Parliament. She has a long in depth experience and knowledge of children's rights, and I would like to give her the floor at this stage for a few introductory remarks. Madam Vice President, over to you.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Thank you. Thank you. Colleagues. Um, would you like to take the floor? No. Well, as your vote hasn't hasn't yet spoken, you had the priority. So I've got eight speakers on my list. Now we have got a little bit of time left, and you will all be able to speak as long as, of course, you respect the speaking time. I'll give you a minute. Well, maybe with a couple of seconds margin. So please respect the time. Let's start with the socialists. You'll be able to speak. But who's going to start? Go ahead.”
  EU public communication strategy
• “Good morning, colleagues. Let's get started. First of all is the adoption of the agenda. Are there any comments? No. In that case, we can consider the agenda adopted. Secondly. Chair's announcement. As usual, our meeting is public and web streamed live. During this meeting, interpretation is provided in English, French, German, Italian, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak and Lithuanian, which would be passive only. We will also have interpretation into Russian for the item on the human rights situation in Belarus, scheduled for tomorrow morning. I would also like to remind you that the plenary adopted three urgent resolutions on the 11th of September. The detention of EU citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus. In the case of Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda and in the case of Abdul Aziz Goma, arbitrarily detained in Togo. Today we are witnessing a moment of hope in a landscape too often marked by injustice. Alaa Abd El-Fattah, the British-egyptian activist who has become a symbol for the fight for human rights in Egypt, was released on a presidential pardon at the request of the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights. For nearly 12 years, Alaa Abd El-Fattah had lived almost uninterrupted in prison since 2014 because of his commitment to freedom of expression. Today, I would like to pay special tribute to his mother, Laila Soueif, and to his sisters whom we welcomed in the European Parliament, who fought an admirable and painful struggle. Hunger strikes, international appeals, demonstrations and relentless diplomatic pressure.”
  EU-Egypt relations
• “And thank you very much to you. We have had an exchange of views on the what is happening in the United States. We started that today in today's debate, and I hope we can continue this. But there seems to be a bit of a dual measure double yardstick here. When Mr. Trump was. Seemed to be wanting to attack take over Greenland by force. There was a. There was a majority position to complain about his position, denounce what he was doing. Obviously there are various issues. I mean ice, we have a. I mean, if this was something happening in another country, wouldn't have, um, shirked from criticizing it. So obviously we have to listen carefully to what's happening and talk about it so that we know what is happening and see what kind of consequences it could have. And the capacities of that country are not the same as others. Just before this debate, we were talking about the ICC and penalties against European judges. So obviously, what we see from the United States, that is not simple at all. And I hope we can pick this up, over the coming weeks.”
  EU-US relations
• “07:33 – 15:10:07): You, Chair, Madam Commissioner, good afternoon. The Mediterranean region is an area which is close to us but also contains a lot of challenges. I think we're all aware of that. Mister McAllister has said that we need to have a strategy for the region. Therefore, I have a number of points that I'd like to make. In June 2025, there was a discussion on human rights and the neighborhood protocol, and then there was a joint declaration with the Commission which opened up the way for new approaches and new agreements. Obviously, I'm talking here about focusing on human rights in lots of informal arrangements and the question of financial assistance which is linked to those agreements because it's important that the EU does maintain the values that it claims to uphold. Therefore, Madam Commissioner, I'm just asking you to tell us how you have supervision and monitoring mechanisms both upstream and downstream for use of funding and for these agreements because this model is likely to be reused. So, Madam Commissioner, I'm wondering how we can feed into European Mediterranean policy in a way that preserves our values. We want to focus on the principles of democracy and human rights, and therefore in doing so, we should be able to define a strategy. But I'd also like to say a few words about your attendance at Mister Trump's little event. I'm just wondering, you didn't have a mandate from the member states, so I'm just wondering on what legal basis did the Commission decide to attend. That's my first question. And then secondly, what lessons will you as an institution draw from having attended the event despite the fact that many member states did distance themselves from the whole structure, and how does that fit in with what the Council is doing on external relations? So you've got the member states who should be giving their approval in the case of the Middle East. So what's going to happen in future because this is a matter which is crucial for the European Union's foreign policy?”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• “42:23 – 15:44:12): Well Miss Kallas, I'd like to just address a few remarks to you from our annual report, the International Criminal Court. And in the last week you mentioned about the fact that the erosion of international rule of law is a problem. You said that we need to make sure that we support international law and human rights and the European Union can and must do much more to protect international and multinational relations including protecting and imposing Russian and UN and US sanctions on the International Criminal Court. What is your action being taken there? On the other points I'd like to raise, so just a couple. First of all, the freedom of the media and disinformation. We all know authoritarian regimes exploit channels of information and undermine democracy by doing that. What measures you've taken to increase the possibility to have pluralism and freedom of information around the world? Secondly, on women's rights, gender equality. The restriction of women's rights around the world is not just problematic, it is an institutionalized abuse of rights and we must take action in legal terms. So Madam High Representative, what are you doing along these lines to make sure that those who commit these sort of abuses will be brought to book? So on those three points I'd like to have as precise answers as possible. Thank you.”
  Support for International Criminal Court
• “Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome back. Welcome to this important public hearing on the rights of the child in the EU external policy. State of play. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the convention on the rights of the child. This is an important anniversary which we also marked last week in plenary. Through the convention, we've achieved a lot, but more needs to be done in order to better protect children at global level and help them grow, flourish, prosper and live successful lives in a stable, safe environment. 35 years on from the signing of the convention, the world has changed and we are confronted with a wider range of issues such as climate change, the environment, digitalisation, access to technology as well as demographic change. The convention has been ratified by 197 countries. It is indeed the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. It is an instrument whereby we can draw a government's attention to improving legislation and standards governing children's lives. Nonetheless, we need to show the necessary commitment for the proper worldwide implementation of the convention, and we need to remind the signatory countries that they have pledged to respect and and enforce civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Well Thank you. Thank you to all of us, to all our speakers. We are aware that the global situation throws up a number of major challenges when it comes to the protection of children. I'm afraid I'm not going to give you the floor, madam. It was one spokesperson per group who could have spoken on behalf of your group, and you chose not to. In any case, the lesson learned here is that we need to work more closely together. Further effort is required and indeed expected. And part of that is. Our ability to do that will be will make a contribution to defusing criticisms of double standards, of which we are sometimes accused. Thank you. We? Can we resume, please? Let us resume. Let us try and make up for some of the 15 minutes we've lost to delay so far. The next point on the agenda is the mobilisation of the EU's foreign policy toolbox to advance women's rights and gender equality, and fight against sexual violence as a weapon of war. This is something of a tradition for this subcommittee to take part in this week. The European Parliament helps promote gender equality and protect women's rights. With us this afternoon, we have with us Stella Grubacic. The EU ambassador for gender. Gender diversity for the eeaS. I understand that you are in something of a hurry this afternoon, so I shall give you the floor for five minutes.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “I have a couple of questions, and the Secretariat has told me we do have some time. So if apart from the coordinators, there are other members who'd like to take the floor that should be possible. So a very practical question to you, as precise an answer as question better in order to better carry out our work, would it be possible for you to be in regular contact with us and advise us well in advance about which human rights dialogues are going to be developed? Could we have sufficient time in advance so that Parliament has the possibility to debate and consider these issues? Then you mentioned your second hat as EU ambassador for gender, and I wanted to raise this because last week the European Parliament welcomed a delegation of Afghan women, as I'm sure you know, what do you think that the European Union can do? What can it do different to what it now is doing to support the situation of the women in the world, because the situation is going downhill. So are there 2 or 3 specific things that we, as members of the European Parliament could be doing, upholding? And then finally, what can the Commission do to contribute to our common endeavour of defending human rights throughout the world? Okay. Are there any members who would like to take advantage of our strict timekeeping, and the fact we now have some time over to put a question on behalf of the ECR first and then the ESN? Go ahead.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Good morning everybody. I suggest we get started. Please take your seats. We are going to continue with this week's committee meeting with an exchange of views on the human rights dimension of the externalization of migration and asylum policies across the world. The idea behind this exchange of views came from the publication of the excellent report last September, published by the Commissioner for Human Rights for the Council of Europe. Mr. O'Flaherty, on this topic. Now we can we're delighted to have him here with us today, finally. And thank you very much indeed, Commissioner, for joining us. The Council of Europe in general and the Commissioner for Human Rights in particular, are. Um, uh, um, important interlocutors for our subcommittee. And at the beginning of this mandate, we were able to have an exchange of views with Mr. O'Flaherty on this topic. Now, this is even more relevant today, given the current political backdrop in the world and in Europe. Now, a few years ago, the arbitrary detention of migrants in Australia, in the offshore islands was denounced by the EU, in particular as a practice running contrary to the human rights of the migrants on the one hand, and a violation of Australia's obligations under the Geneva Convention on the other. Today, this subcontracting, subcontracting out of processing of migrants has spread with cooperation agreements between the countries of origin or transit of the migrants, and whether we're talking about the return of asylum seekers or processing Asylum requests or legal migration requests, then EU law is also heading in this direction with agreements on safe countries of origin, which our subcommittee has worked on, or indeed safe third countries and the implementation of return hubs.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Well thank you very much. You can count on us that the committee will continue to play its role. I think you will have seen that there is a will to continue dialogue during this legislative period. We have a shared responsibility following the Qatar gate crisis to rebuild our shared credibility. So we will be a partner that listens and we will not hesitate to have an exchange of views. But of course, we have our role. You have your role as role specific to you. We have a role when it comes to holding the European executive to account, a role as a legislator and you can count on us to continue to do our work to support the ideals that we share. Thank you very much. No. Problem.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “I've given two minutes to everybody and you've exceeded three minutes now. So you must conclude. Everybody has the right to speak, of course, but we do have rules and I have to uphold them. Are there any other MEPs that would like to take the floor at this point? Two minutes? Theoretically not any more than that. Mrs. Timido, you have the floor.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “07:33 – 15:10:07): You, Chair, Madam Commissioner, good afternoon. The Mediterranean region is an area which is close to us but also contains a lot of challenges. I think we're all aware of that. Mister McAllister has said that we need to have a strategy for the region. Therefore, I have a number of points that I'd like to make. In June 2025, there was a discussion on human rights and the neighborhood protocol, and then there was a joint declaration with the Commission which opened up the way for new approaches and new agreements. Obviously, I'm talking here about focusing on human rights in lots of informal arrangements and the question of financial assistance which is linked to those agreements because it's important that the EU does maintain the values that it claims to uphold. Therefore, Madam Commissioner, I'm just asking you to tell us how you have supervision and monitoring mechanisms both upstream and downstream for use of funding and for these agreements because this model is likely to be reused. So, Madam Commissioner, I'm wondering how we can feed into European Mediterranean policy in a way that preserves our values. We want to focus on the principles of democracy and human rights, and therefore in doing so, we should be able to define a strategy. But I'd also like to say a few words about your attendance at Mister Trump's little event. I'm just wondering, you didn't have a mandate from the member states, so I'm just wondering on what legal basis did the Commission decide to attend. That's my first question. And then secondly, what lessons will you as an institution draw from having attended the event despite the fact that many member states did distance themselves from the whole structure, and how does that fit in with what the Council is doing on external relations? So you've got the member states who should be giving their approval in the case of the Middle East. So what's going to happen in future because this is a matter which is crucial for the European Union's foreign policy?”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “Good afternoon. Let's continue our work with item eight. This is the public hearing on the EU strategy to promote and protect the human rights of women worldwide, notably in Afghanistan and Iran, with a focus on the fight against gender apartheid. I'd like to welcome you all. This public hearing is being jointly held with FAM. I welcome our colleague, Mr. Deniz Tsaloumas, Vice Chair of the FAM Committee, who will co-chair this hearing, especially for the second panel. The aim of this hearing is to discuss the EU strategy to promote and protect the human rights of women around the world, with a focus on the situation in Afghanistan and Iran and on the concept of gender apartheid. In last year's annual report on human rights and democracy in the world. We called for the formal recognition of gender apartheid as a distinct violation of human rights, and supported international initiatives to classify it as a crime against humanity, thus contributing to the establishment of a global standard for accountability. Today, we will hear from our guests what this concept covers and where its legal development stands. Given the terrible situation experienced by women in many countries, including Afghanistan and Iran, and given the courage these women show to the point of risking their lives, it is imperative to move forward and see how to strengthen the EU's response in support of persecuted women. And to see how international legal mechanisms could recognise gender apartheid in order to bring perpetrators to justice. Today, two eminent representatives from Afghanistan and Iran, who have direct experience and in-depth knowledge of the human rights situation of women in both countries, are present with us in the room. In addition, I welcome the representatives of the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, the EU institutions and Amnesty International who are also here with us today. I also welcome the members of the committee and Parliament's delegations for relations with Afghanistan and Iran, who were also invited to this hearing. Before moving on to the first panel, I would first like to give the floor to my colleague from the Farm Committee for a few introductory words. You have the floor.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Sanction sanctions against the International Criminal Court, against our partners in civil society, our judges, our former commissioners. Bombing. Kidnapping of a dictator. Data support to genocide. Bartering for a Nobel Peace Prize and of international humanitarian aid. Scorn for international law. A trade war. This is a summary, then, of one year of the 47th US president's foreign policy. The international rules based order is at the edge of the abyss. And what is Europe doing? It is hesitating. It is time to wake up. It is now or never. The European promise is in our hands. Let us activate the Bloc Institute, as well as the anti coercion instrument in the UN, in civil society and to Democrats in the world. Let us build the alliances for democracy and support for international law. Each member state has much to lose here. Let us protect ourselves against the US of today.”
  EU-US relations
• “We have to continue to defend this demanding spirit, because it calls upon each state to show that no one is above human rights. But the world has grown darker. Violations are growing, discord is proliferating, and the very foundation of human rights is being attacked. Given these developments, the UN has to reinvent itself. It has to adapt the tools it has, modernize its tools, but also remain faithful to the ideals of 1945, which is peace, justice and dignity for all. Against this backdrop, I would also like to mention the repeated attacks against the United Nations Agency for Palestinians. There have been defamation campaigns as well over the last few months. Even within this parliament, we've heard repeated propaganda aimed to discredit them. The International Court of Justice provided an advisory opinion, and it was very clear the lack of impartiality and neutrality has has been addressed. We have to redouble our efforts because attacking our rights is a plunging the whole world into misery. And for many families on the Gaza Strip. Now we need to turn our gaze towards the future. There are new frontiers. We have to think about modern technology and in particular, artificial intelligence. This must not become a new form of domination.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Well, thank you for your testimonies. It really calls us to responsibility. Now, before I give the floor to the members of the European Parliament, I'd like to give the floor to two human rights defenders who live in Europe, Reza Jafari and Tasmina Salik. You have two minutes each. And today we have an opportunity to hear your testimonies. And it's thanks to their work because they really do fight for this on a daily basis.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “So for the concluding remarks, I shall hand the floor to Mr. Benny. I'm not going to. It's not about the debate. It's about I'm a coordinator. It's about the way this is working. The MEPs, who come from other committees obviously have to respect the rules where we work, so. Ah. You're right. And when it comes to the NGO representative. Yes, she's funded by private funds. They carry out these mission funds. And when it comes to bans or that kind of thing. Well, obviously I don't know whether that may she may share similar views with the socialists and the Greens, but I would encourage what the commissioner said. I or the chair of the committee say that we have a debate. Respect different people's comments and positions, and I obviously I respect you as an intellectual. Well, yes, we have to be able to debate everything in the committee with mutual respect. Obviously we are. We have been elected. We have different ideas, different opinions. We may not agree, but we have to preserve what is at the heart of democracy and try and convince others of our opinions. Mr. Benifei.”
  EU engagement with civil society
• “And then it's about imports were banned to use certain inputs on food. But we're importing these same substances and that's harming everyone apart from the lobbies who are making a killing on our backs, on the backs of our farmers. And first and foremost, on the back of the health of farmers abroad, in partner countries and the environment in these countries. This is the logic of an industrial minority. How much longer do we want to follow that and sacrifice health and environment here and abroad? We need this impact assessment. It needs to be objective and then we need to think about legislation. This cannot continue. I've got a question for you. Were your great judge and you've been a great advocate of this. Cause I was wondering why is it so difficult to find an agreement on this matter? Why is it so hard to get a clear political commitment. Why are politicians not courageous enough and why can't we legislate on this matter? And well, with that, I would hand back. We've got a bit of a problem with the online connection, so I'll let Miss Salamon start, maybe.”
  Pesticides & trade
• “But despite the commitments made by the European Commission in its chemical strategy, then the announcement of legislation planned for 2023 and the reaffirmation of this commitment in 2025 and its vision for agriculture and food, there is still no change. The situation has not developed and the status quo continues in South Africa. The volume of pesticide exports banned in the EU is particularly striking. According to the framework of international human rights law, this double standard, which makes products banned as harmful for the health of Europeans, continue to threaten the health of people in countries of the Global South, and has been denounced as a flagrant violation of human rights. As a former UN special rapporteur on human rights and toxic substances from 2014 to 2020 pointed out states that export banned chemicals without valid public interest justification violate their territorial obligations under international human rights law, including their obligations regarding a healthy environment and safe and healthy working conditions. It is therefore, in accordance with our mandate in this committee to analyze the human rights aspect of this issue. That's what we'll be addressing today, and I'm grateful to the experts who've joined us to talk about this.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Gaza. Palestine and Middle East. For 21 months we've been discussing these places here. We've been talking about evidence of a genocide, which is underway, evidence of apartheid, ethnic cleansing. We've identified all of that. But what have we done? I talk about starving children, destroyed hospitals, people being killed while bread is being handed out. I normally talk about all of that today. I'd like to talk about us in Europe. A mirror of our impotence following Trump's interference. We're seeing attacks in these countries that are not allowing us to are in Greece, France, Italy, not arresting Netanyahu, not actually acting. We could have allies globally. We have international law on our side. We could stop Netanyahu and his murderous actions. We need to wake up. I say this to me. I see to this to my friends in the EP. Wake up. Security and sovereignty are easy to say, but you can't have one without the other and history will judge you.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Thank you. Now we're hearing from Adamo from NPR. He's wanted for equality between men and women and human rights. Over to you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you. Caterina. Before giving you the floor to answer the questions, I have two questions. The first one to Mr. Thackeray on the international pact on social, economic and cultural rights. There's a fundamental obligation, uh, to, uh, adopt measures for, uh, floor prices. Uh, but in, uh, including in conflicts, times of conflict. But in terms of non-state local conflicts, what are the obligations here? Uh, for example, in Gaza, uh, who does this responsibility fall on? And a question, perhaps to both of you, you spoke about un drop. Um, but I think, uh, I heard that there are only two EU member states that voted for this. Uh, for the rest of them abstained. Do you have an explanation to this is that a strategy that we should carry out to, uh, increase the involvement of member states here. And so we're going to do this as simply as possible in the order that you spoke first, Mr. Fikri, and then Genevieve and Vincent. Okay. Mr. Fakhri, you have the floor.”
  International humanitarian alignment with UN
• “Yes. Thank you. My question is much in the line of what Mr. Biedron has just said. For a long time, we were hearing about the existence of this American military umbrella and this accompanying role. But I realized that there was a humanitarian umbrella when it comes to interventions and human rights matters. So this. The withdrawal of America is upsetting. It's turning everything over. So there are now other players who might try to take up this strategic place that the US has left, for example, China. Are we really aware of just how big this challenge, the strategic challenge is, and have we drawn up scenarios where we no longer have a Big Brother ally in the US who has a kind of governance which is ready to go in that direction? How can we adapt? How can we ensure we have proper governance? And I don't believe that we can compensate absolutely everything in all of these areas, that we can't compensate the missing American funding. So we who are so attached to multilateralism, how can we get other creditors to the table? How can we renew the situation now that this American umbrella has disappeared? And how can we turn this into an opportunity rather than being a difficulty? That was my first point. Now, secondly, in this Parliament, there's been a lot of discussion about the recognition of gender apartheid. But what's the situation in individual member states? This is really addressed to the eeaS. Is this topic discussed in the Council? Is there a common strategy within the European Union to bring this idea of gender apartheid onto the international scene?”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “Thank you. I've got two questions. This first is for Mr. Zamani. You gave us a very positive description of the EU's role here. And that's a good thing. But which other organisations are working on this issue? And, Mrs. Fraser, you talked about collaboration between the UN, the EU and the African Union. Are there African Union states that are working on this in particular? And if so, which states are working on these issues? I'd like to give the floor to our panellists to reply. So let me give the floor first to Mrs. Fraser. You've got three minutes.”
  EU policy on African region
• “I've got a brief question or rather comment. I'm not entirely convinced. Miss Manfredi, by your argumentation. You're saying that the EU believes that pesticides are dangerous for humans, for the environment, can cause serious diseases and that they they're problematic when it comes to fertility, can harm babies, and others will continue to export them. And we're hiding behind the argument that we said we have rules for our exports. So that's better. But it's about people and making them sick, making them sick, making the environment sick. So I'm not convinced. Four years ago, the commission committed to an impact assessment. I note that there are economic factors which are relevant to a lot of businesses, but we need to know when this impact assessment will come out because we need to start making decisions on this matter. And then this is also tied in with what farmers in Europe are saying. European farmers are complaining. We had them out here outside Parliament a couple of weeks ago when we were debating Mercosur. They were complaining about two things. They want mirror clauses. They don't want to have an Or they want a level playing field and the same standards to apply for both sides.”
  Pesticides & trade
• “Great. I suggest we get started. Then we're going to start work again with an issue which has a human rights impact. And that's the export of pesticides banned in the EU. Here we're looking at the case of South Africa. And we're going to be looking at this in association with the delegation for relations with South Africa and to welcome its chairman, Mr. Udo Bullmann, who was my predecessor in this role as chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee. So it's a pleasure to have him here with us today. Some pesticides which are banned in the EU because of their harmful impact on health and the environment, continue to be produced in Europe and exported for use in third countries that have less stringent legislation on the use of these products. South Africa is an unfortunate case study that illustrates this situation. Although very questionable in various respects, this practice of exporting banned pesticides remains legal today. The use of these chemicals is banned in the EU, but nothing nothing prevents them being produced on EU territory or exported to third countries as long as exporting companies comply with the EU's prior informed consent regulation. In recent years, however, the European Commission seemed to be moving forward to regulate the ban on exporting banned pesticides.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Hello, dear colleagues. I'm very sorry we didn't quite get here on time. Uh, with the delegation. Met the, uh, president, and it was very useful. So I would like to adopt the agenda. Uh, are there any remarks? I don't think so. So I can say that that's adopted. Uh, right. Chairs, announcements. There are none. And so the only important point of the day is the fate of women's rights in Afghanistan. Oh. Oh, hang on. Uh, as always, dear colleagues, uh, the this meeting is a is being beamed live. And there is interpretation into various languages, including Dari, uh, Italian, French, Spanish and Romanian. There will be a reunion dinner to commission apres l'élection, parce qu'elle nous allons entamé le coeur de Notre travail, a savoir débattre de la situation des droits humains dans le monde et de la facon dans on peut améliorer en suite nous nous discussions avec un pays également tres particuliers. L'afghanistan est en effet un pays dans la moitié de la société femme et qui n'ont pas la possibilité de s'exprimer avec toutes les conséquences dévastatrice. Q cela implique pour leur vie.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “So you're not a member of this committee and you're not used to our working methods. But there's something which I do not tolerate, and that is that our speakers are attacked. And we did not appreciate your comments regarding Mrs. Parker. No, I'm not going to give you the floor. You were addressing me.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Well, let me make this point again and do so with a smile. This subject is not within the remit of this subcommittee, so colleagues would be grateful if you could raise this in the Libe committee where the occasion arises. The same groups can do so, and I think it is inappropriate for. For questions to be put on the position of one of the European institutions. You are not here today to explain the positions of the European Commission. I am not saying that the Commission has not given enough explanations on this subject, but there are other places and there are other frameworks where that debate can take place. So I will give the floor back to our speakers to take the questions which fall within their area of remit, within the remit also of our subcommittee.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “We have to show emancipation rather than using it as a surveillance tool to exclude others. We know that the UN has tried to provide a framework for this with respect for human rights, and this is the only condition that we will be able to make progress to benefit humanity and not the other way around. We cannot overlook the current financial crisis that's hit the UN. This requires action. Its action has been limited. The on the ground players have had their action reduced as well. These are not abstract concepts. It means fewer missions, fewer boots on the ground. It's very important for us all to be to work together, to equip this organisation with the means necessary so that it can live up to its mandate and these common challenges. I warmly thank each and every speaker, and thank you very much for being here. Whether you are in person or remote, to take part in this discussion, because this is what it's about, giving the UN the means to live up to its ideals, making that promise from 1945 come true. Human rights must not be a luxury in this world. It must be a precondition for our civilisation. Thank you.”
  International humanitarian alignment with UN
• “Thank you very much to the panelists. This is, of course, a very important to our committee. And aside from the symbolic dates, of course there are other occasions where we would like you to come back and exchange your views. So thank you very much and we can move on to the next item on our agenda. We're going to start up again on agenda item four, which is the last point on our agenda today on the occasion of the World Food Day, celebrated every year on the 16th of October, a few days from now. I wanted to dedicate this point to the theme of the right to food. So thank you to the members of the committee who have joined us for this item. The right to food is a fundamental right. It has been defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and has been specified in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It guarantees every person the access to sufficient, accessible and adapted food so that they may live in dignity In accordance with this right, no one anywhere should ever suffer from hunger, from food insecurity or malnutrition. It is a matter of justice and respect for human rights. Mr. Michael McCrory will join us today online as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food. Pays particular attention in his work to the most urgent issues for the right to food today.”
  Nutrition
• “Thank you. And Mr. Matthews is here again. And unsurprisingly, you're still head of division for Human Rights within the EEAS.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Perfect. Thank you very much. Thank you for these two panels. We heard some very strong things, difficult things to listen to, but also a great deal of commitment. But I don't think we should give in to hypocrisy. We can't say that we are fully committed to women. Women in Afghanistan, women in Iran, and at the same time allow our member States to turn their backs on these women when they are calling for help or asking for refuge. So it's important when these women are in difficult situations in their own countries or in nearby countries, we need to be able to open our doors to them, to take them in, to open our universities, to them, to open our companies to them. This is what will make us credible on the international scene. Secondly, we need a different approach. As I've said for a very long time, we were the little brother of our big American brother. We never really asked ourselves any questions about strategy, but now we need to think about our strategy, think about the state of play in the world, find allies, and to use the strategy. Thirdly, we need to stop creating our own figures and UN expenses. When we're talking about expenditure. It's not an expense, it's an investment. So it's an investment in the future for the future of these women, but also for the European future, because we're investing in our partners. And I hope that this will reflect the challenges. Uh, we will challenge. We will we will face we will continue talking about these topics. Indra. These topics can be maybe annoying, difficult, technical. They may be time consuming, but we need to discuss these points. And in fact, it's a way of paying tribute to all of humanity by recognizing gender apartheid, which is the fact that there are these women, there are these men who are using their power, uh, with impunity in certain, uh, stages and even in international institutions. So we will continue our efforts, Indra.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Thank you very much for those comments. Colleague. To introduce our debates, we are fortunate to have Mrs. Susan Ferguson, Special Representative to UN women, Afghanistan Online, and Mrs. Ferguson as part of the UN General Assembly. A high level conference was held on Monday in New York to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing conference. Un Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed in his address that progress on women's and girls rights is slow and uneven, and that a wave of misogyny is sweeping the world. It is on the basis of worrying findings that we give you the floor for five minutes. Mr. Ferguson and I would just like to say that for technical reasons, you will not be interpreted, but you have the floor for five minutes. Go ahead.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “So in conclusion, I would like to thank all of the candidates and the MEPs who took part in the debates today. The Sakharov, the Sakharov Prize is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the EU to defend human rights all over the world. It allows us to take stock of the different causes but not to rank them. Our work will not end with the awarding the prizes. We will continue to support the candidates and their work. The tangible proofs of this commitment are many. The last week an extraordinary meeting was held. Uh, and support of Afghan women who were finalists for the 2021 Sakharov Prize. It was also the 10th anniversary of Ellen Tohti, a prisoner who was a beneficiary of the Sakharov Prize. And we would like to call for his. Unconditional release. The candidates who are presented today are the incarnation of human determination and of the power of and of willpower, despite the dangers that they face and the current political climate and harmful to the defense of human rights, they continue to fight for what is just for what is dignified. The Sakharov Prize is a solemn reminder of the need to remain vigilant when it comes to our external actions our defence of human rights, of safety, of trade and of development. Thank you very much.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Thank you very much. I know that there hasn't been enough time, but this is only a first meeting. Be reassured that you're going to remain on the agenda of our subcommittee. There are going to be other opportunities. Other times when you'll be able to express yourself. I heard the message. I heard your heartfelt cry. Please. European Union don't have normal relations with the Taliban. Certainly the ideas which you aired relating to gender apartheid is very important. This is a term which is going to be in the resolution on Thursday. Be assured we shall not forget you. And also rest assured that both in our discussions and also within our own European groups, when we discuss this issue, we have noted what you're asking. We shall continue to exchange views with you, and we shall continue to listen to your concerns. Thank you very, very much indeed. All of you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Good morning. Chair. During the recent human rights meetings, civil society organizations have highlighted the credibility of the pact for the Mediterranean and that this will rely on human rights. We heard some concerns about the risks of repeating our approach of the past. As this was said during these discussions, we've already seen the forming transactional partnerships. These are focusing on stability and not focusing on human rights and civil society. So can you highlight at this stage the proposals of the Commission and see if they've advanced human rights issues within this pact? What sorts of conditionality around human rights has been implemented in the new pact? Thank you. Please give a very precise response. Thank you.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• “Madam president. Thank you madam. Like the experts and other speakers, I'm surprised that Palestinians are not represented here. It's a mistake because you cannot analyze an oppressive system by excluding The people who were affected by that oppression. It's not only a mistake, but it's a political error. Removing a Palestinians from the debate prolongs the the situation. We're discussing their situation without them. The on the two state solution. I'd like to ask the experts how this colonization is, uh, helping the two state solution and why, uh, Europeans are not doing anything concrete to stop that colonization. And finally, a lot of people use the term violent colonizers as if there were bad colonizers and good ones, violent ones and non-violent ones. I just wanted to say that colonization is A war crime. It's not me saying that. It's the Geneva Convention. Colonization is a obstacle to the police, to the peace process, the biggest obstacle to peace. A colleague from Patriots says the solution would be yet another colony. An international colony. Because we cannot trust the Palestinians. That's a scandal. I'm certainly not convinced if we're going to put all the corrupted regimes of the planet under colonization, a lot of our partners would be independent. So principles, international law, and we need the Palestinians involved. Thank you.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine