NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Security: Doctor Convicted of $24M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A New York doctor was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury for causing the submission of over $24 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Alexander Baldonado, M.D., 69, of Queens, received tens of thousands of dollars in illegal cash kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering laboratory tests, including expensive cancer genetic tests, that were billed to Medicare by two related laboratories located in New York.

    As part of the scheme, Baldonado authorized hundreds of cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries who attended COVID-19 testing events at assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and a retirement community in 2020. Baldonado was not treating any of the patients who attended the testing events and, in many cases, did not speak to or examine the patients prior to ordering cancer genetic tests and other laboratory tests for them. Baldonado also billed Medicare for lengthy office visits that he never provided to these patients. Several Medicare patients for whom Baldonado ordered cancer genetic tests and billed for office visits testified at trial that they did not know who Baldonado was and had never met or spoken to him. Baldonado did not contact the patients after the testing events to review the results of the cancer genetic tests, and, in some cases, the patients never received the test results.

    In addition to the laboratory testing scheme, Baldonado also received illegal cash kickbacks and bribes from the owner of a durable medical equipment supply company in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary orthotic braces for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The evidence presented at trial showed Baldonado on an undercover video receiving a large sum of cash in exchange for signed prescriptions for orthotic braces.

    The medically unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces that Baldonado ordered in exchange for illegal kickbacks and bribes caused Medicare to be billed more than $24 million. Medicare paid more than $2.1 million to the laboratories and the durable medical equipment supply company involved in the schemes.

    Baldonado was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud; six counts of health care fraud; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive and solicit health care kickbacks; and one count of solicitation of health care kickbacks. Following his conviction on the 10 counts, Baldonado was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and solicitation of health care kickbacks and five years in prison on each count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive and solicit health care kickbacks. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan and Trial Attorney Hyungjoo Han of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders on the Senate Floor: “What the Oligarchs Really Want”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today gave remarks on the floor of the Senate regarding how Elon Musk and his fellow oligarchs are waging a war on the working class of America.
    Sanders’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below and can be watched HERE:
    M. President, we are living in an extremely dangerous time. Future generations will look back at this moment – what we do right now – and remember whether we had the courage to defend our democracy against the growing threats of oligarchy and authoritarianism. They will remember whether we stood with President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg who in 1863, looking out at a battlefield where thousands died in the struggle against slavery and stated that; “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that a government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Do we stand with Lincoln’s vision of America or do we allow this country to move to a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires and for the billionaires?
    But it’s not just oligarchy that we should be concerned about, and the reality that the 3 richest people in America now own more wealth than the bottom half of our society – 170 million people. It’s not just that the gap between the very rich and everyone else is growing wider, and that we have more income and wealth inequality today than we’ve ever had.
    It is also that we are looking at a rapid movement, under President Trump, toward authoritarianism. More and more power resting in fewer and fewer hands.
    M. President, as we speak, right now, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is attempting to dismantle major agencies of the federal government which are designed to protect the needs of working families and the disadvantaged. These agencies were created by the U.S. Congress and it is Congress’ responsibility to maintain them, reform them or end them. It is not Mr. Musk’s responsibility. What Mr. Musk is doing is patently illegal and unconstitutional – and must be stopped.
    M. President. Two weeks ago, President Trump attempted to suspend all federal grants and loans – an outrageous and clearly unconstitutional act. As I hope every 6th grader in America knows, under the Constitution and our form of government the president can recommend legislation, he can support legislation, he can veto legislation, but he does not have the power to unilaterally terminate funding passed by Congress. It is Congress, the House and the Senate, who control the purse strings.
    But it’s not just Congress that’s under attack. It’s our judiciary.
    This weekend, the Vice President, a graduate of Yale Law School, who clerked for a Supreme Court Justice, said that: “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.” Really? I thought that one of the major functions of the federal courts is to interpret our Constitution and, when appropriate, serve as a check on unconstitutional executive power.
    Mr. Musk, meanwhile, has proposed that “the worst 1% of appointed judges be fired every year,” and demanded the impeachment of judges that have blocked him from accessing sensitive Treasury Department files. No doubt, under Mr. Musk’s rule, it will be him and his billionaire friends who determine who the “worst” judges are. And no, Mr. Musk, you don’t impeach judges who rule against you. You may or may not know this, but under the U.S. Constitution, we have a separation of powers, brilliantly crafted by the founding fathers of this country in the 1770s.
    So, we are seeing an organized attack on Congress and the courts.
    But Trump and his friends aren’t just trying to undermine two of the three pillars of our constitutional government – Congress and the courts. They are also going after the media in a way that we have never seen in the modern history of this country.
    Every member of Congress will tell you that people in the media, and media organizations, are not perfect. They, like everyone else, make mistakes every day. But I hope that every member of Congress understands that you cannot have a functioning democracy without an independent press – non-intimidated journalists who can write it and say it the way they see it. And in that regard, I want to remind my colleagues what this president has done in recent months.
    President Trump has sued ABC and received a $15 million settlement. He has sued Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and received a $25 million settlement. He has sued CBS, and its parent company Paramount, is apparently in negotiations over a settlement. He has sued the Des Moines Register, and his FCC is now threatening to investigate PBS and NPR.
    In other words, we have a President of the United States who is using his power to go after media in this country who are saying and doing things he doesn’t like. How are we going to have an independent media if journalists are looking over their shoulders, fearful that their reporting will trigger a lawsuit from the most powerful man in the world?
    M. President. Now is the time to ask a very simple question. What do Mr. Musk, Mr. Trump and their fellow billionaires really want? What is their endgame?
    And in my view, the answer is not complicated. It is not novel. It is not new. It is what ruling classes throughout history have always wanted and have always believed is theirs by right: more power, more control and more wealth. And they are determined to not allow democracy and the rule of law to get in their way.
    For Mr. Musk and his fellow oligarchs, the needs, the concerns, the ideas, the dreams of ordinary people are simply an impediment to what they, the oligarchs, are entitled to. That is what they really believe.
    This is not the first time we’ve seen this in our country’s history.
    In pre-revolutionary America, before the 1770s, the ruling class of that time governed through a doctrine called the “divine right of kings,” the belief that the King of England was an agent of God, God appointed him, and he was not to be questioned by mere mortals.
    In modern times we no longer have the “divine right of kings.” What we NOW have is an ideology being pushed by the oligarchs which says that as very, very wealthy people – often self-made, often the masters of revolutionary new technology and as “high-IQ individuals,” it is THEIR absolute right to rule. In other words, the oligarchs of today are our modern-day kings.
    And it is not just power that they want. Despite the incredible wealth they have they want more, and more and more. Their greed has no end. Today, Mr. Musk is worth $402 billion, Mr. Zuckerberg is worth $252 billion and Mr. Bezos is worth $249 billion. With combined wealth of $903 billion, these 3 people own more wealth than the bottom half of American society — 170 million people.
    Not surprisingly, since Trump was elected, their wealth has soared. Elon Musk has become $138 billion richer, Zuckerberg has become $49 billion richer and Bezos has become $28 billion richer – since Election Day.
    Meanwhile, while the very rich become much richer, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, 85 million are uninsured or under-insured, 25% of seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 or less, 800,000 are homeless and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth. And real, inflation adjusted wages for the average American worker have been stagnant for 50 years.
    Do you think the oligarchs give a damn about these people? Trust me, they don’t. Musk’s decision to dismember U.S. AID means that tens of thousands of the poorest people around the world will go hungry or die of preventable diseases.
    But it’s not just abroad. Here in the United States they’ll soon be going after the healthcare, nutrition, housing, and educational programs that protect the most vulnerable people in our country – all so that Congress can provide huge tax breaks for them and their fellow billionaires. As modern-day kings, who believe they have the absolute right to rule, they will sacrifice, without hesitation, the well-being of working people to protect their privilege.
    Further, they will use the enormous media operations they own to deflect attention away from the impact of their policies while they “entertain us to death.” Mr. Musk owns twitter. Mr. Zuckerberg owns Meta – which includes Facebook and Instagram – and Mr. Bezos owns the Washington Post. Further, they and their fellow oligarchs, will continue to spend huge amounts of money to buy politicians in both major political parties.
    Bottom line: The oligarchs, with their enormous resources, are waging a war on the working class of this country, and it is a war they are intent on winning.
    Now, I am not going to kid you — the problems this country faces right now are serious and they are not easy to solve. The economy is rigged, our campaign finance system is corrupt and we are struggling to control climate change — among many other important issues.
    But this is what I do know:
    The worst fear that the ruling class in this country has is that Americans — Black, White, Latino, urban and rural, gay and straight, young and old — come together to demand a government that represents all of us, not just the wealthy few.
    Their oligarch’s nightmare is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided up by race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin and will, together, have the courage to take them on.
    Will this struggle be easy? Absolutely not.
    And one of the reasons that it will not be easy is that the ruling class of this country will constantly remind you that THEY have all the power. They control the government, they own the media.
    But our job right now, in these difficult times, is to not forget the great struggles and sacrifices that millions of people have waged over the several centuries to create a more democratic, just and humane society. Think about what people THEN were saying.
    Overthrowing the King of England to create a new nation and self-rule. Impossible.
    Establishing universal suffrage. Impossible.
    Ending slavery and segregation. Impossible.
    Granting workers the right to form unions and ending child labor. Impossible.
    Giving women control over their own bodies. Impossible.
    Passing legislation to establish Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, a minimum wage, clean air and water standards. Impossible.
    In other words, as Nelson Mandela told us, everything is impossible until it is done.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Exempt Seasonal Firefighters From Federal Hiring Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Exempt Seasonal Firefighters From Federal Hiring Freeze

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and 13 other Democratic Senators in urging senior Trump Administration officials to reverse the hiring and onboarding freeze of federal seasonal firefighters that threatens the safety of communities in California and across the nation. The Trump Administration’s January 20 hiring freeze of federal civilian employees inexplicably did not exempt federal seasonal firefighters, despite exempting other critical public safety personnel.
    Federal seasonal firefighters risk their lives to protect communities and save lives. This hiring freeze is particularly dangerous as we ramp up staffing and training ahead of peak wildfire season. While Padilla secured a temporary pay raise for wildland firefighters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recruitment and retention remain significant challenges as firefighters work long hours with insufficient pay. The attrition rate of firefighters at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has been 45 percent over the past four years — making the hiring freeze at USFS, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service all the more dangerous.
    “The Administration must not sacrifice the safety of the American people for the benefit of implementing a political agenda,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to immediately reverse course, begin hiring and onboarding seasonal firefighters again, and continue supporting and growing the federal firefighting workforce.”
    “The bottom line is this: pausing the hiring and onboarding of federal seasonal firefighters — while historic wildfires destroy communities and upend livelihoods across the West — is simply irresponsible and dangerous,” continued the Senators. “We will be woefully unprepared to fight the fires to come and instead will continue to see record levels of damage, ultimately costing communities and taxpayers even more at a time when the cost of living is already too high.”
    Wildfires are increasing in frequency and destructiveness in California and across the nation. Last month, the devastating Southern California fires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, burned over 57,000 acres and destroyed over 16,200 structures, claiming the lives of at least 29 victims. Nationally, over 64,800 fires burned 9 million acres in 2024, up from approximately 56,500 wildfires and 3 million acres in 2023. The rise in catastrophic wildfires demands even more seasonal firefighter hiring — not a freeze.
    In addition to Senators Padilla and Rosen, the letter was also signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    Senator Padilla has consistently pushed to protect our wildland firefighting force. Last month, Padilla reintroduced the bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to protect the pay raise he secured for wildland firefighters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2023, Padilla and a bipartisan group of Senators urged Senate leadership to avoid mass resignations within the wildland firefighter ranks by ensuring the prompt passage of their bipartisan legislation. Padilla and a bipartisan group of Senators also urged the Biden Administration to establish a special pay rate for federal wildland firefighters to prevent staffing shortages and strengthen wildfire response efforts in 2022. Following that request, the Administration announced a temporary pay raise. Additionally, Padilla’s Wildfire Emergency Act, announced last week, would establish a prescribed fire-training center in the West and authorize grants to support training the next generation of foresters and firefighters, among other important fire mitigation efforts.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Burgum, Acting Secretary Washington, and Acting Director Ezell:
    We write today following reports that hiring and onboarding for federal seasonal firefighters has stopped due to the Trump Administration’s federal hiring freeze. We are extremely concerned to hear that this is happening across the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service ahead of what’s expected to be another devastating wildfire year. The Administration must not sacrifice the safety of the American people for the benefit of implementing a political agenda. We urge you to immediately reverse course, begin hiring and onboarding seasonal firefighters again, and continue supporting and growing the federal firefighting workforce.
    President Trump’s January 20th memorandum ordered a hiring freeze for all federal civilian employees. It also explicitly exempted public safety personnel from this freeze and allowed the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to grant further exemptions. We are appalled that federal seasonal firefighters are not already exempted, given the critical role they play in public safety throughout our communities. Federal seasonal firefighters are brave public servants who risk their lives to protect those around them. They work long hours in dangerous environments to not only fight fires on private, public, and Tribal lands, but also carry out hazardous fuels management, which is crucial to preventing and mitigating the effects of future fires.
    Wildfires are increasing in frequency and destructiveness in the U.S., necessitating even greater seasonal firefighter hiring. In 2024, over 64,800 wildfires occurred across the country, which is up from approximately 56,500 in 2023. Additionally, fires burned nearly 9 million acres in 2024, compared to only 3 million in 2023. Such fires also no longer stick to a particular season, meaning that we must be prepared 365 days per year to fight fires, putting even more stress and strain on a workforce that desperately needs additional support and higher pay. While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law led to some small increases from the 18,700 seasonal and career federal firefighters we had in 2022, this investment is still not meeting our current wildfire needs.
    Although there is an urgent need to hire more federal firefighters, the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze does the opposite and is pausing hiring at a critical time for this already understaffed workforce.
    On top of this, firefighter retention continues to be a problem, with reports indicating that the attrition rate of firefighters at the Forest Service has been 45 percent over the past four years. We therefore need to focus on recruitment and retention of this critically important workforce, rather than place more uncertainty within it through an arbitrary freeze. The federal seasonal firefighter hiring process is already time consuming, and we don’t need to delay it further with more bureaucratic red tape.
    The bottom line is this: pausing the hiring and onboarding of federal seasonal firefighters – while historic wildfires destroy communities and upend livelihoods across the West – is simply irresponsible and dangerous. We will be woefully unprepared to fight the fires to come and instead will continue to see record levels of damage, ultimately costing communities and taxpayers even more at a time when the cost of living is already too high. We urge you to put the safety of families and communities across the country first and allow the federal seasonal firefighter hiring process to continue without delay. Every moment that we wait puts lives and livelihoods at greater risk.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor McKee, General Officers, State Legislators, Gun Safety Advocates Call for Action on Assault Weapons Ban

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Published on Tuesday, February 11, 2025

    PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, Governor Dan McKee was joined by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, General Treasurer James Diossa, legislators, and gun safety advocates to call for the passage of an assault weapons ban during this year’s legislative session. Governor McKee included a ban on assault weapons in his FY26 budget proposal, and legislation is being sponsored by Representative Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) and Senator Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton).

    “Gun safety remains a crucial public health issue here in Rhode Island and across the country,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Together, we’ve made important progress in passing gun safety laws, but our work is not over. That is why I chose to include an assault weapons ban in my budget to help move this issue forward. For the safety of our communities—let’s finally get this done.”

    The ban would prohibit the manufacture, purchase, sale, transfer, and possession of certain assault weapons including certain semi-automatic shotguns, rifles, and pistols. It also levies criminal penalties for anyone convicted of violating the ban; and provides exemptions to the ban for law enforcement agencies, federally licensed firearm dealers, and individuals who lawfully possess an assault weapon on the effective date of the ban.

    The federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004 and has yet to be reauthorized by Congress. Currently, ten states have statutes that ban certain assault weapons.

    Over the past several years, Governor McKee has proudly signed several key pieces of gun safety legislation into law including bills to: ban large-capacity gun magazines, require the safe storage of firearms, raise the legal age to purchase firearms or ammunition from 18 to 21, and prohibit the open carry of any loaded rifle or shotgun in public. 

    “We have made great strides to keep our communities safe from gun violence, and we must keep that momentum going by passing a ban on assault weapons,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “We have spent too long in fear of gun violence in our schools, in our places of worship, in our public spaces, and in our homes. This year, we can take action and get prevent these weapons of war from flowing into our communities.”

    “We deserve to move about our schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities without fear of gun violence, and the simple truth is that assault weapons make gun violence even more deadly,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “Once again, I’m glad to stand with my colleagues in government, advocates, and community members as we call for additional commonsense gun safety legislation here in our state, and I sincerely hope that this is the year we achieve our goal.”

    “There is no need for civilians to own and operate military-style weapons,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “Over the years, my Office has helped pass, strengthen, and enforce common sense gun laws that keep Rhode Islanders safer. Mass casualty events are far too common in the United States, and so often they involve assault weapons. Rhode Islanders deserve to go to the movies, or to a concert, and not fear for their lives. Let’s get this done.”

    “As a state and as a country we have become numb to gun violence. It barely registers in the headlines. But make no mistake, gun-related violence continues to have a real impact on Rhode Islanders,” said Treasurer James A. Diossa. “As Mayor of Central Falls, I heard the stories, witnessed the grief, and felt the pain of families whose lives were irrevocably altered by the pull of a trigger. And I still see it firsthand through Treasury’s Crime Victim Compensation Program, which offers well-needed financial assistance to victims and their families. I commend Governor McKee on taking bold action and including this ban in his budget proposal, and Representative Knight and Senator DiPalma for their tireless advocacy year after year.”

    “High-powered weapons like AR-style rifles are the preferred weapons of mass shooters. Scores of Americans have died at the hands of killers wielding these weapons. There is no reason they should be allowed to circulate in the community,” said Representative Jason Knight. “Of course making them illegal doesn’t mean that they will all disappear overnight, but allowing their legal sale needlessly endangers the public. We are not powerless against gun violence, and Rhode Islanders deserve more than thoughts and prayers as an antidote. This bill gives us a common-sense way to mitigate the damage from the modern-day scourge of mass shootings.”

    “Banning assault weapons is a long overdue, common-sense step to address the serious public health issue of gun violence in Rhode Island. Research clearly shows a ban will save lives and make our communities safer. It is supported by a large majority of legislators, by each of the state’s general officers, and by most Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Louis DiPalma. “Our neighbors in Connecticut and Massachusetts have implemented an assault weapons ban, as have one-fifth of all states. Our federal government has done so previously. Strong state-level leadership is more critically needed than ever before, and I am proud to be sponsoring this legislation.”

    “In the absence of federal legislation regulating assault weapons, in Rhode Island, we must take it upon ourselves to protect our residents from mass shootings by banning these uniquely dangerous weapons,” said Melissa Carden, Executive Director of RICAGV. “We are grateful to the Governor for his commitment to gun safety and we look forward to working with him, General Assembly leadership and bill sponsors Senator DiPalma and Representative Knight on this important legislation.”

    “Our lawmakers and Governor McKee supporting this bill to ban assault weapons in Rhode Island goes to show that they’re making our safety a priority. This isn’t just about my generation either, it’s about the next generation of kids who are sitting in kindergarten classrooms right now,” said Mia Tretta, a volunteer leader with the Brown University Students Demand Action chapter and and gun shot wound survivor from the shooting at Saugus High School in California. “This is what real leadership looks like. Not just taking action in the wake of tragedy, but stepping up to prevent a tragedy in the first place. The introduction of this bill is just the beginning, and we’re committed to getting this to the finish line.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Senate Floor Remarks on Director of National Intelligence Nominee Tulsi Gabbard

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    February 11, 2025

    As prepared for delivery

    Watch a video of Wyden deliver his remarks here

    Today, I will be speaking about the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence and my reasons for opposing her confirmation.

    First, I believe the Senate must consider with this nomination the examples of blatant lawlessness of this administration.  At every turn, Donald Trump is attacking the rule of law, disregarding the constitutional role of the Congress, and trying to purge the civil servants who defend this country every day.  Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s unvetted minions are gaining access to some of the government’s most sensitive systems and records.  

    American democracy and national security are at stake and if the Senate is going to confirm nominees we need to know whether they will stand up for democratic principles, no matter what.

    So, at her hearing, I asked Ms. Gabbard what she would do if Donald Trump tried to illegally withhold funding from the Intelligence Community Inspector General.  This was hardly a hypothetical question.  Donald Trump has, in fact, sought to unilaterally cut off funding for a broad range of organizations, despite the money having been appropriated by Congress.  And it’s not just me saying this is illegal; the courts have ordered the administration to cut it out and resume the funding.  But when I asked Ms. Gabbard this question, she said – quote – “I don’t believe for a second President Trump would ask me to do something that would break the law.”  Well, he is breaking the law, and this country needs leaders who acknowledge that fact and stand up to him.

    My concerns about Ms. Gabbard are also based on her recent turn toward extreme partisanship.  Now other partisans have been confirmed to leadership positions in intelligence agencies.  George H. W. Bush was the head of the Republican National Committee and he was successful enough as Director of Central Intelligence that they literally named CIA Headquarters after him. Party affiliation is not the issue.  The problem is when partisanship distorts one’s views of intelligence matters.  Ms. Gabbard has written about a “coup” being perpetrated by the so-called “deep state” that includes, among others, the DNC, and also the FBI, the CIA, and – quote – “a whole network of rogue intelligence and law enforcement agents.”

    I have spent almost a quarter century as a member of the Intelligence Committee seeking to bring to light and stop government abuses across a range of programs and activities.  These conspiracy theories do not help the bipartisan reform movement.  They only serve to encourage a president who wants to tear down the entire Intelligence Community and replace it with loyalists who will commit whatever illegal and abusive acts he asks of them.

    So what happens next?  If Ms. Gabbard is confirmed, my first order of business will be to hold her to the commitments she made during her confirmation process.

    With regard to surveillance policy, she expressed her support for a warrant requirement for U.S. person searches of communications collected under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.  With Section 702 reauthorization up next year, DNI support for reforms such as these will be critical to protecting the privacy rights of Americans.

    Ms. Gabbard also confirmed that she has significant concerns about the constitutionality of several provisions of the PATRIOT Act.  

    Importantly, she opposed mandated backdoors into encrypted communications, which threaten both Americans’ privacy and national security.  As she stated during her hearing, “these backdoors lead down a dangerous path that can undermine Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights and civil liberties.”  We are living in a time of increasingly devastating cyber breaches, including the Salt Typhoon compromise of our telecommunications infrastructure.  The lesson from that hack was that surveillance capabilities designed for law enforcement will be targeted by foreign intelligence services.   In other words, there is simply no way for the government to mandate access to Americans’ encrypted communications and not also expose those communications to the government of China or other adversaries. 

    It’s alarming that just last week the press reported that UK officials insisted that Apple provide them a back door into files backed up to Apple’s iCloud service.  This is a development that threatens American national security and Americans’ privacy.  And that’s even before U.S. government officials come around, once again, asking for the same dangerous and irresponsible accesses.  That’s why Ms. Gabbard’s statement was so important and why, if she is confirmed, Congress needs to hold her, and the rest of America’s intelligence agencies, to it.

    During her confirmation process, Ms. Gabbard supported restrictions on the collection of communications records of journalists.  She endorsed the Biden Administration Justice Department’s policy prohibiting this collection except in very narrow circumstances, a policy she said was “essential to protecting press freedoms and maintaining the critical balance between national security and upholding the First Amendment.”  She also called for the codification of that policy.  

    I asked Ms. Gabbard about the collection of communications records of congressional members and staff, as was detailed in a Department of Justice Inspector General report released late last year.  She agreed that this spying on Congress was a “significant breach of the constitution and separation of powers,” and endorsed reforms to prevent it from happening again.  

    During this confirmation process, she confirmed her belief that the Government Accountability Office should audit the Intelligence Community to ensure it is not targeting Americans outside of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.   She also expressed support for the Public Interest Declassification Board, which is tasked with promoting transparency

    And finally, I asked Ms. Gabbard whether intelligence agency whistleblowers must have a clear path to the Senate Intelligence Committee and don’t need permission from agencies to talk to us.  She responded that the answer was “clearly yes.”  Given Donald Trump’s ongoing attacks on public servants defending the rule of law, the protection of whistleblowers may be one of the most important principles of all.

    In just three short weeks since his inauguration, here’s the checks and balances scoreboard on President Trump. He has illegally fired Inspectors General.  He has purged the three Democratic members of the independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, not only removing the most pro-privacy members but leaving the Board without enough members to function.  He has appointed or nominated people to carry out political retribution, including a nominee to be FBI Director who comes with his own published enemies list.  At the same time, Donald Trump has demonstrated thorough contempt for the security of Americans’ private information by granting Elon Musk’s people unsupervised access to the country’s most sensitive systems and databases.  

    So what will happen when he attempts to steamroll oversight and the rule of law and put the privacy and constitutional rights of all Americans at risk?  If she is confirmed, it will be up to Ms. Gabbard to stand up to him and stick to the principles and commitments she has expressed.  And it will be our responsibility to see that she does.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces the appointment of Canada’s new Fentanyl Czar

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Fentanyl is a lethal drug that has torn apart communities and families across Canada and the United States. The scourge of fentanyl must be wiped from the face of the Earth, its production must be shut down, and its profiteers must be punished. 

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of Kevin Brosseau as Canada’s new Fentanyl Czar, effective immediately. 

    As Fentanyl Czar, Mr. Brosseau will work closely with U.S. counterparts and law enforcement agencies to accelerate Canada’s ongoing work to detect, disrupt, and dismantle the fentanyl trade. Mr. Brosseau brings extensive law enforcement experience, having served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for over 20 years, including as Deputy Commissioner and top cop in Manitoba. Recently, as Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr. Brosseau navigated Canada’s most sensitive security challenges. His demonstrated expertise tackling drug trafficking, organized crime networks, and other national security threats will bring tremendous value to this position. 

    Canada is taking significant action to stop the production and trafficking of illegal fentanyl. We are adding new and expanded detection capacity at border entries to find illegal drugs and guns and shorten cargo container processing time. We are building a Canadian Drug Analysis Centre to analyze illegal drug samples and identify where and how these drugs are manufactured. We are deploying new chemical detection tools at high-risk ports of entry, new canine teams to intercept illegal drugs, and a new Precursor Chemical Risk Management Unit to better track precursor chemicals and distribution channels. In the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, we introduced strong measures such as steeper penalties and regulatory changes to fight financial crimes, including money laundering, that often enable fentanyl trafficking. 

    While less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada, any amount of fentanyl is too much. With Canada’s $1.3 billion border plan, we are reinforcing our strong border and stopping the fentanyl trade – with new Black Hawk helicopters, drones, mobile surveillance towers, and nearly 10,000 frontline personnel working on protecting the border. As an important legal tool to enforce criminal investigations in Canada, we will also be listing organized crime cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. This listing will strengthen the RCMP’s ability to prevent and disrupt cartel activities in our country. 

    Last week, the Prime Minister signed a new intelligence directive, backed by $200 million in investment, that will give our security agencies more capacity to gather intelligence on transnational organized crime and share with our American partners and law enforcement across the continent. This complements joint law enforcement co-ordination efforts, including through the Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering.

    Quotes

    “Fentanyl is a lethal drug that must be eradicated from our communities. Today’s appointment of Kevin Brosseau as Fentanyl Czar will accelerate Canada’s efforts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle the fentanyl trade, in partnership with the United States. With an over 20-year career in public safety and national security including tackling drug trafficking and organized crime, Mr. Brosseau will bring tremendous value to this position, and his work will help keep Canadians safe.”

    “Canada needs a Fentanyl Czar who will co-ordinate between agencies, move quickly to tackle challenges, and bring over 20 years of RCMP experience to a crisis that is plaguing our communities. Between cities and provinces, as well as our international borders, this person will need to work with all levels of government, with credibility as a team player. Working closely with our American counterparts to disrupt and dismantle this illegal drug trade crossing our border, the Fentanyl Czar will need expertise in drug trafficking, organized crime networks, and other national security threats. Kevin Brosseau is that person.”

    Quick Facts

    • The Prime Ministerial Directive on Transnational Crime and Border Security directed the national security and intelligence community to stand up a Joint Operational Intelligence Cell as well as information sharing hubs between provinces, territories, and international partners, to bolster the detection and disruption the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, both within Canada and abroad.
    • Health Canada’s new Canadian Drug Analysis Centre will allow for more specialized analysis of synthetic drug samples. The analysis will go beyond identifying the components of a sample and look at forensic markers to help determine how and where these substances were manufactured.
    • Health Canada’s new Precursor Chemical Risk Management Unit will increase oversight over precursor chemicals and distribution channels as well as monitor emerging illegal drug trends.

    Related Product 

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Advocates to Fully Revoke Harmful Pesticide from Food Crops

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a multistate coalition of nine attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding EPA’s proposal to ban residue from the pesticide chlorpyrifos on only some common food crops, despite its known neurodevelopmental harms to children. EPA’s proposal would ban chlorpyrifos residue on 70 food crops, while allowing it on 11 others, specifically alfalfa, apple, asparagus, tart cherry, citrus, cotton, peach, soybean, strawberry, sugar beet, and spring and winter wheat. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has banned the application of chlorpyrifos on all food crops in California since late 2020. However, chlorpyrifos residues threaten Californians’ health through certain imported foods.

    “The facts are clear: chlorpyrifos exposure poses a grave danger to a child’s health. This pesticide has no place in our food systems,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We cannot ignore the health implications and urge the EPA to fully eliminate this harmful pesticide.”   

    Chlorpyrifos is acutely toxic and is associated with neurodevelopmental harms in children, with prenatal exposures causing lower birth weight, reduced IQ, loss of memory, attention disorders, and delayed motor development. Acute exposure can cause sweating, salivation, vomiting, low blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, and death. Exposure occurs through food residues, drinking water contamination, and agricultural spray drift, and agricultural or chemical workers may be additionally exposed through chlorpyrifos manufacturing and handling.

    Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), EPA is required to show with reasonable certainty that aggregate exposure to chlorpyrifos from these crops will result in no harm. However, in this proposal, EPA improperly shifted its own duties under the FFDCA onto those seeking to have chlorpyrifos residues banned, claiming that there is no adequate data or scientific analysis to conclude that chlorpyrifos residue on the remaining 11 crops is unsafe.

    In the letter, the attorneys general urge EPA to ban chlorpyrifos residue for all food crops because EPA has not made an adequate determination of safety to support the chlorpyrifos residue allowed for the 11 listed crops. The attorneys general also challenge EPA’s toxicological analysis as inadequate because it fails to identify a level of chlorpyrifos exposure that is safe for children. 

    In sending today’s comment letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New York, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. 

    A copy of the letter can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye – B10-0103/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

    Vladimir Prebilič, Mélissa Camara, Mounir Satouri, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Erik Marquardt, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Ville Niinistö, Villy Søvndal
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

    B10‑0103/2025

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

    (2025/2546(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

      having regard to Rules 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas on 29 January elected Siirt Municipality Mayor Sofya Alağaş of the DEM Party was dismissed and sentenced to prison for alleged membership of the PKK when she was a journalist; whereas on 10 January elected Akdeniz Municipality co-mayors Hoşyar Sarıyıldız and Nuriye Aslan from the DEM Party and several City Council members were taken into custody in Mersin and later charged for alleged links to the PKK; whereas Ahmet Özer, mayor of Istanbul’s Esenyurt district from CHP party remains detained over alleged connections to the PKK; whereas the mayors were replaced by government trustees;

    B. whereas DEM Party won the the Siirt mayorship with 49.63% and the Akdeniz mayorship with 36,92% in the March 2024 local elections;

    C. whereas since 2016 successive Erdoğan governments have removed elected opposition mayors from 149 municipalities, mostly in the Kurdish southeast and replaced them with trustees; whereas since the March 2024 local elections 10 opposition mayors have been replaced by government appointees;

    1. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release, acquittal and reinstatement of elected mayor Sofya Alağaş and co-mayors Hoşyar Sarıyıldız and Nuriye Aslan and all other mayors arbitrarily arrested and dismissed;

    2. Condemns the Turkish authorities’ continuation of dismissing democratically elected mayors on bogus terrorism charges and replacing them with government appointees, which undermines democratic processes and violates the right to free and fair elections;

    3. Urges Turkish authorities to immediately cease and reverse repression of political opposition and respect the rights of voters to elect their chosen representatives in line with the recommendations of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission;

    4. Urges Türkiye to repeal Article 45, paragraph 1 added in 2016 to the Municipality Law and ensure that ineligibility of candidates is assessed prior to the elections and based on a final criminal conviction;

    5. Reminds Türkiye of its status as a candidate for European Union membership and its commitment to aligning with the EU acquis in all areas, including adherence to the rule of law and fundamental rights, as outlined in the Copenhagen criteria; 

    6. Calls on the European Commission, the HR/VP and Member States to raise the arrest and removal of opposition mayors as well as the take-over of municipalities with their Turkish counterparts;

    7. Calls on the European Commission and Council that financial assistance under IPA III and NDICI to Türkiye are strictly conditional upon the respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights and that sufficient funding is allocated to civil society;

    8. Calls on the HRVP to consider restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanction Regime against Turkish officials responsible for the illegal removal of elected mayors and those functioning as government appointees to replace them;

    9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, and the Government and Parliament of Türkiye, and asks that it be translated into Turkish language;

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – EU sanctions against Russia 2025: State of play, perspectives and challenges – 11-02-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    In response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions, in close cooperation with partners including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Japan. The rapid succession of 15 packages of EU sanctions adopted since then have resulted in an unparalleled set of measures targeting Russian political elites and key sectors of the Russian economy. New sanctions have also been adopted against Belarus, Iran and North Korea in response to their involvement in Russia’s war of aggression. Furthermore, in 2024 the EU adopted two new regimes of sanctions, addressing human rights violations and repression in Russia (May 2024), and responding to Russia’s destabilising activities (‘hybrid attacks’) abroad (October 2024). The unprecedented nature of the sanctions imposed on Russia, in scale and scope, has created new implementation challenges. Member States and EU institutions have renewed efforts to improve the enforcement of sanctions and to close loopholes to prevent circumvention, including reinforcing cooperation with third countries. A specific anti-circumvention tool was included in the 11th package of sanctions (June 2023), followed by additional measures in the successive packages, including those to counter Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’. Furthermore, a newly adopted EU directive (April 2024) obliges the EU Member States to introduce minimum criminal offences and penalties for violating and circumventing EU sanctions. It also aims to improve cross-border cooperation on investigations, prosecutions and sentencing of EU sanctions violations. Since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014, the European Parliament has been a vocal advocate of severe sanctions. It has unequivocally condemned Russia’s unjustified aggression against Ukraine, demanded broader and better-enforced sanctions and called for the confiscation of Russian assets frozen by the EU to pay for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Parliament has demanded a full review of more centralised EU-level oversight of sanctions implementation and a full ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, among other measures. This briefing updates and complements a previous briefing published in September 2023.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The Crete-Cyprus electricity interconnection is an important project for the EU and has received significant EU funding – E-000454/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000454/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (PPE)

    The Crete-Cyprus electricity interconnection is a significant priority project for the European Union under Regulation (EU) 2022/869 concerning trans-European energy infrastructure and is included in the Commission’s list adopted in November 2023, having received a significant Community subsidy (EUR 657 million).

    The coordinates for laying the electrical cable between Cyprus and Crete were set seven nautical miles north of Crete, with NAVTEX issued by the Heraklion Hydrographic Service. A Turkish warship was deployed to the area and sent a signal to the research vessels that “they are outside jurisdiction and must request permission from Türkiye in order to carry out the work”. Laying an electrical cable between Cyprus and Crete is an activity that constitutes “freedom of the seas” according to the Law of the Sea.

    Türkiye’s unacceptable tactics are deeply troubling. Interrupting activities without grounds pursuant to the Law of the Sea creates a negative precedent and we must be conscious of the dangers posed when the Law of the Sea is actively challenged.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.How does the Commission view Türkiye’s action, which explicitly contravenes the Law of the Sea?
    • 2.What actions does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Türkiye signs, ratifies and respects the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea?

    Submitted: 3.2.2025

    Last updated: 11 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Debates – Monday, 10 February 2025 – Strasbourg – Revised edition

    Source: European Parliament
    Verbatim report of proceedings
     403k
    Monday, 10 February 2025 – Strasbourg

       

    IN THE CHAIR: ROBERTA METSOLA
    President

    		  
    1. Resumption of the session

    		 

      President. – I declare resumed the session of the European Parliament adjourned on 29 January 2025.

    		  

    2. Opening of the sitting

       

    (The sitting opened at 17:03)

    		  

    3. Statements by the President

    		 

      President. – First of all, regarding what happened on 29 January 2025, on behalf of this House, I want to extend my deepest apologies for the incident that took place on 29 January during the European Parliament’s solemn session on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

    The interruptions during our guest’s speech, 92-year-old Corrie Hermann, and during the minute of silence for Holocaust victims were disgraceful. The gravity of such behaviour cannot be overstated. It is a dark and stark reminder of why remembrance is not just a symbolic act, but a fundamental duty that this Parliament – that we all – must uphold.

    The appropriate consequences shall be drawn after the relevant procedures are followed. I thank the services for their assistance in this regard, and I thank all of you for being present that day.

    Dear colleagues, this month marks three years since Russia launched its unprovoked, unjustified and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Three years on, Ukraine remains resilient and this Parliament stands with Ukraine. Tomorrow, we are honoured to welcome Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk of the Verkhovna Rada to mark this sombre anniversary. I ask you all to be present.

    Also, dear colleagues, last Tuesday we were devastated to hear of the horrific mass shooting at Risbergska school in Örebro, the worst in Sweden’s history. This was a senseless act of violence that claimed innocent lives, shattering families and scarring communities. Europe mourns with those who have been lost and our thoughts are with their loved ones, with all those who have been injured and with the people of Sweden in this moment of profound sorrow.

    Hatred and violence have no place in Europe. The values that unites us – peace, democracy and the dignity of human life – will always prevail.

    I now invite you to join me in observing one minute of silence in memory of the victims.

    (The House rose and observed a minute’s silence)

    		  

    4. Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings

    		 

      President. – The minutes and the texts adopted of the sittings of 23 January and 29 January are available.

    Are there any comments? I see that is not the case.

    Then the minutes are approved.

    		  

    5. Penalties

    		 

      President. – First of all, pursuant to Rules 10 and 183 of the Rules of Procedure, and after taking into account the observations of the Member concerned, I have decided to impose a penalty on Grzegorz Braun.

    At the sitting of 27 November 2024, Mr Brown repeatedly used offensive and discriminatory language in the framework of the debate of the recent legislation targeting LGBTQI persons.

    This penalty consists of the forfeiture of his entitlement to the daily subsistence allowance for a period of two days, as well as a temporary suspension from participation in all the activities of Parliament for a period of two days on which Parliament meets, starting from today, 10 February 2025, without prejudice to his right to vote in plenary and subject to strict compliance with the Members’ standards of conduct.

    The Member concerned has been notified of these decisions and has not launched an internal appeal with the Bureau pursuant to Rule 184. The penalties are therefore final.

    		  

    6. Composition of committees and delegations

    		 

      President. – The ECR, Greens/EFA and ESN groups and non-attached Members have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations.

    These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

    		  

    7. Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 72)

    		 

      President. – The AFET and BUDG Committees have jointly decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, pursuant to Rule 72(1) of the Rules of Procedure.

    The report, which constitutes the mandate for the negotiations, is available on the plenary webpage and its title will be published in the minutes of the sitting.

    Pursuant to Rule 72(2), Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, Tuesday 11 February, at midnight that the decision be put to the vote.

    If no request for a vote in Parliament is made within the deadline, the committees may start the negotiations.

    		  

    8. Negotiations ahead of Council’s first reading (Rule 73)

    		 

      President. – The IMCO Committee has decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations ahead of the Council’s first reading, pursuant to Rule 73 of the Rules of Procedure.

    The position adopted by Parliament at first reading which constitutes the mandate for those negotiations is available on the plenary webpage, and its title will be published in the minutes of the sitting.

    		  

    9. Signature of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 81)

    		 

      President. – I would like to inform you that, together with the President of the Council, I shall, on Tuesday, sign one act adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure, in accordance with Rule 81 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.

    The title of the act will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

    ⁂

    I would also like to inform the House that I have received three requests for points of order.

    I will give the floor in the order that we have received them, first with Petras Auštrevičius. Please quote the rule under which you are making the point of order.

    		  
       

    		 

      Petras Auštrevičius (Renew). – Madam President, dear colleagues, taking the floor under Rule 164, and while appreciating our Wednesday debate on the need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, let me draw your attention to the great action which happened last weekend once the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian energy was finally synchronised with the European continental energy ring.

    And this is the way we have to go and streamline, cutting down our decades‑long dependencies with eastern countries and synchronising into the single market, whatever it takes, economic, energy or whatever. So, our talk on Wednesday will be about this, about achievements and what we can do together.

    		  
       



    		 

      Stefano Cavedagna (ECR). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ho un richiamo al regolamento ai sensi dell’articolo 202 del nostro regolamento del Parlamento europeo.

    Infatti oggi è il 10 febbraio e in Italia, dalla legge 92 del 2004, celebriamo il Giorno del ricordo, che tutela l’onore dei martiri delle foibe e degli esuli di Istria, Fiume e Dalmazia, condannati a morte ed esiliati per colpa delle brigate comuniste del dittatore Tito jugoslavo. Se vogliamo pacificare, dobbiamo ricordare tutte le vittime del comunismo e anche queste, che hanno toccato in particolare il mio paese, e ricordare i martiri delle foibe.

    Per la prima volta ci sarà una esposizione qui a Strasburgo.

    		  

    10. Order of business

    		 

      President. – We now come to the order of business. The final draft agenda, as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 5 February pursuant to Rule 163, has been distributed.

    With the agreement of the political groups, I wish to put to the House the following proposals for changes to the final draft agenda.

    For today, Monday, Parliament statement on the situation in Sweden in the midst of the recent mass shooting in Örebro, with one round of political group speakers, is added as the first point.

    For tomorrow, a formal sitting with an address by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is added at 12:00. As a result, the voting session will start at 12:30.

    For Thursday, the order of debates will change as follows. The debate on ‘EU-Mercosur trade agreement’ will be taken as the first point on the agenda, whereas the debate on ‘Threats to EU sovereignty through strategic dependencies and communication infrastructure’ will be the second point.

    If there are no objections, then these changes are approved.

    We will move now to a change requested by a political group. For Wednesday, the ESN Group has requested that a Commission statement on ‘Condemning all politically motivated violence, in particular the slingshot attack in Germany and other violent attacks in Europe’ be added as the third point in the afternoon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23:00.

    I give the floor to Christine Anderson to move the request on behalf of the ESN Group.

    		  
       

    		 

      Christine Anderson, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – (Beginn des Redebeitrags bei ausgeschaltetem Mikrofon) … die Tagesordnung gerne um einen Punkt erweitern, unter dem sich dieses Haus geeint gegen jedwede politische Gewalt aussprechen kann. Anlass ist ein Angriff auf einen unserer Wahlkämpfer am Samstag, der mittels einer Zwille mit einer Stahlkugel beschossen wurde. In Hannover haben 250 Angreifer einen Wahlstand umzingelt. Nur mühsam konnte die Polizei mit Schutzschilden die Menge noch in Schach halten. Später zog der Mob dann weiter und bedrohte einen Stand der CDU. Ein Mitglied der CDU berichtete, er habe Angst um seine Parteimitglieder gehabt.

    Liebe Kollegen, Gewalt im Wahlkampf dürfen wir nicht tolerieren. Lassen Sie uns also mit einer Debatte gemeinsam ein Zeichen gegen jede Form von Gewalt setzen! Das sind wir unserer Demokratie schuldig. Lassen Sie uns demonstrieren, dass dieses Haus vereint gegen jede Form politischer Gewalt steht, egal, von wem sie ausgeht, und egal, gegen wen sie sich richtet! Vielen herzlichen Dank!

    		  
       


       

    (The sitting was briefly suspended)

    		  
       

       

    PRÉSIDENCE: YOUNOUS OMARJEE
    Vice-Président

    		  

    11. Resumption of the sitting

       

    (La séance est reprise à 17h19)

    		  

    12. Situation in Sweden in the midst of the recent mass shooting in Örebro (debate)



    		 

      Heléne Fritzon, för S&D gruppen. – Herr talman! En vanlig tisdag på en vanlig skola i Sverige, ett utbildningscenter för vuxna. Så förvandlas denna vanliga dag till en av de mörkaste dagarna i Sveriges historia. En svensk ung man skjuter besinningslöst inne på en skola. Han dödar tio människor, flera av dem med utländsk bakgrund.

    I dag, efter detta massmord, är det många med annan bakgrund i Sverige som känner rädsla och otrygghet. Och det är ett misslyckande för vårt samhälle, i Sverige, i Europa och i världen, när våld och splittring släcker människors liv. Eller som vår drottning i Sverige, drottning Silvia, uttryckte det när hon var i Örebro. Vart tog det fina Sverige vägen?

    Ord spelar roll. Det måste vi veta, inte minst i den offentliga debatten. Vi har alla ett ansvar. Hat och hot hör inte hemma här. För en skola, en helt vanlig dag, det ska vara en plats som är trygg. En plats som möjliggör människors drömmar om framtiden.

    Våra tankar finns i dag med alla de drabbade. Hos mamman i Örebro som inte kom hem till sina barn. Våra tankar finns med alla dem som stängdes in på skolan i skräck och hörde och såg skjutningar och blod. Och hos alla dem som gjorde en fantastisk insats med att rädda människors liv. Nu är vi i en tid när vi behöver komma samman. Så stort tack till alla er som står tillsammans med oss i Sverige i vår sorg.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sebastiaan Stöteler, on behalf of the PfE Group. – Mr President, dear colleagues, the recent tragic mass shooting in Örebro, Sweden has left us all in mourning. Eleven lives taken in an act of senseless violence that left many others injured remind us of the fragility of peace in our societies.

    This incident is not just a Swedish issue: it’s a European one. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive security measures, vigilant community involvement and a reassessment of our policies on public safety. We must stand with Sweden, offering our solidarity and support, but also demand accountability and action.

    Tomorrow, we call upon European leaders to prioritise the safety of our citizens. We need policies that protect our schools, our public spaces and our communities from such tragedies. We need a Europe where our children can learn in safety, where our citizens can live without fear. But today, Mr President, our thoughts are with the victims, their families and the entire Swedish community. Today, we mourn with Sweden.

    		  
       


    		 

      Abir Al-Sahlani, för Renew gruppen. – Herr talman! Mitt Sverige är i sorg och i chock. Förra veckan hände den värsta masskjutningen i svensk historia. Tio människor fick sätta livet till. En lärare, vars dröm var att hjälpa andra uppnå sina drömmar. En mamma, som aldrig kom hem till sina fyra barn, och en personlig assistent, som var älskad och som skulle gifta sig nu till sommaren.

    Den gemensamma nämnaren mellan dessa är att de hade sina rötter någon annanstans än i Sverige. Varje människa hade drömmar, en historia de kom ifrån och en framtid som togs ifrån dem.

    Jag besökte Örebro i fredags för att hedra offren, för att lägga ljus och blommor utanför skolan och för att visa att även Europa står tillsammans med örebroarna och hela Sverige i vår sorg. Jag möttes av en bottenlös sorg, av ilska, av många frågor, men framför allt också av oro. Många föräldrar undrar hur de kan släppa iväg sina barn till skolan. De undrar själva om de kan få vara utanför. Många känner sig inklämda mellan rasismen och våldsbrotten.

    Många är frågorna och därför är det otroligt viktigt att polisen får gå till botten med vad som låg bakom. För vi behöver få riktiga svar.

    Jag möttes också av ett enat civilsamhälle i Örebro. Moskéerna och kyrkorna hade öppnat sina portar och var en varm famn för de som sökte stöd. Rädda barnen, Röda korset, socialtjänsten och ungdomsgårdarna var alla öppna där och fanns som stöd och hjälp för alla de som sökte. Jag vill rikta ett innerligt och varmt tack till polis, räddningstjänst och vårdpersonal som var där på plats och som fortfarande är där och hanterar situationen.

    Jag är ganska omskakad själv, för det här kunde ha varit mina föräldrar som hade varit där på plats. Det är exakt de här människorna det här våldet berör. Vi har en utmanande och svår tid framför oss i Sverige, men vi kan använda den för att tillsammans bygga Sverige. Ett Sverige för alla.

    		  
       



    		 

      René Aust, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Ich möchte in dieser schwierigen Stunde den Angehörigen mein Beileid ausdrücken und garantieren und versichern, dass wir in dieser schwierigen Stunde an der Seite des schwedischen Volkes stehen und ihm unsere Solidarität aussprechen möchten. Wir möchten dankbar sein für diejenigen, die in den ersten Minuten mutig waren, als Polizisten in diese Schule gegangen sind und versucht haben, Schlimmeres zu verhindern. Und natürlich den Rettungskräften, die unmittelbar den Verletzten geholfen haben, damit es nicht noch mehr Opfer gab.

    Ich kann nur hoffen, dass alle Hintergründe dieser Tat aufgeklärt werden und dass mögliche Mitwisser auch dafür bestraft werden, falls es welche geben sollte. Ich möchte Schweden eines wünschen: Sie waren lange Jahrzehnte dafür bekannt, dass Sie eines der sichersten Länder dieser Erde sind, und ich hoffe, dass Schweden auf diesen Weg wieder zurückfindet. In diesem Sinne: Alles Gute den Hinterbliebenen, und dem schwedischen Volk unsere Solidarität!

    		  
       

    		 

      Le Président. – Je remercie l’ensemble des collègues pour la très grande dignité de cette discussion et la charge émotionnelle très forte qui dit combien nous sommes solidaires avec tout le peuple suédois.

    		  

    13. European Central Bank – annual report 2024 (debate)


    		 

      Anouk Van Brug, rapporteur. – Voorzitter, mevrouw Lagarde, Europa was ooit een continent van stabiliteit, waar hard werken werd beloond, waar je spaargeld groeide en waar je plannen kon maken voor de toekomst. Je kon iedere maand een deel van je salaris opzijzetten voor een groter doel — een huis, een pensioen of een welverdiende vakantie. Dankzij een fatsoenlijke rente kwam dat doel stap voor stap dichterbij.

    Maar die zekerheid is verdwenen. Steeds meer mensen kunnen niet meer rondkomen. Niet omdat ze niet hard werken, maar omdat het leven onbetaalbaar wordt. Sparen voelt als luxe, terwijl het voorheen een vanzelfsprekendheid was. Geld dat opzij werd gezet, verdampt. Want terwijl lonen achterblijven, stijgen de prijzen van boodschappen, energie en woningen tot onhoudbare hoogten.

    De Europese Centrale Bank had als belangrijkste taak de prijsstabiliteit te bewaken. Maar toch werden we de afgelopen jaren verrast door torenhoge inflaties. Hoe kon dit gebeuren? Wat ging er mis? Ja, de Russische invasie in Oekraïne heeft een grote rol gespeeld. Opeens werden energieprijzen onvoorspelbaar, raakten toeleveringsketens verstoord en schoten voedselprijzen omhoog. Maar deze crisis was niet de eerste schok voor onze economie. En zij zal ook niet de laatste zijn.

    Ik zeg niet dat de ECB stil heeft gezeten, maar de vraag is: waren we wel voorbereid? Terwijl de ECB druk bezig was met het onderzoek naar klimaat en duurzaamheid — belangrijke thema’s, zonder twijfel — werden andere risico’s onderschat, vooral geopolitiek. Oorlog en conflict.

    Mevrouw Lagarde, waarom had de ECB geen scenario’s klaarliggen voor een geopolitieke schok als deze? Waarom stonden we niet paraat om de gevolgen voor de inflatie en de economie te verzachten? Dit is namelijk geen hypothetische discussie. Vandaag is het de oorlog in Oekraïne die de economie onder druk zet. Maar wat is het morgen? Morgen kan het zomaar iets anders zijn. Want wat als de spanningen rond Taiwan escaleren en de wereldwijde chipleveranties opdrogen? Of wat als de Verenigde Staten binnenkort nieuwe handelsbeperkingen opleggen aan Europese bedrijven? Wat als de energieprijzen opnieuw omhoogschieten door geopolitieke instabiliteit in het Midden‑Oosten?

    De ECB moet niet alleen reageren op crises, maar moet ze voor zijn. We kunnen het ons niet veroorloven om keer op keer verrast te worden, terwijl de inflatie opnieuw door het dak schiet en miljoenen Europeanen daar de prijs voor betalen. Want laten we niet vergeten wie de uiteindelijke rekening betaalt. Dat zijn de gewone mensen thuis: de hardwerkende Nederlander, de jonge Europeanen die hun eerste huis proberen te kopen of de gepensioneerden die hun spaargeld langzaam zien verdampen. Zij verwachten leiderschap. Zij verwachten dat wij, als beleidsmakers, en u, vanuit de ECB, vooruitdenken en niet achter de feiten aan lopen.

    Dus ik vraag u, mevrouw Lagarde, om geopolitieke risico’s net zo serieus te nemen als klimaatverandering, om scenario’s te ontwikkelen, om voorbereid te zijn op de volgende economische schok, zodat we niet opnieuw verrast worden, zodat we niet opnieuw onze koopkracht laten wegslippen. Want uiteindelijk gaat dit niet over cijfers, rentepercentages of inflaties. Dit gaat over mensen, dit gaat over hun dromen en dit gaat over hun toekomst.

    Europa moet weer een continent worden waar mensen vol vertrouwen vooruit kunnen kijken, waar hard werken weer loont, waar sparen opnieuw mogelijk is en waar je plannen kunt maken en die ook echt kunt waarmaken. Dat is de opdracht. Dat is de verantwoordelijkheid, en de tijd om die verantwoordelijkheid te nemen, die is nu.

    		  
       

    		 

      Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank. – Honourable Vice-President of the European Parliament, Commissioner Albuquerque, honourable Members of the European Parliament, Madam rapporteur, all of you, good afternoon, it’s an absolute pleasure to be back here, in the European Parliament, to discuss your draft resolution on the ECB’s annual report.

    At the ECB, we are deeply committed to dialogue, transparency and accountability. In particular, we are very keen on how we communicate with the people of Europe, who we consider very highly and we treat very seriously in their aspirations. Also, obviously, because you are representatives of the European people, we are very keen to make sure that we communicate with all of you as much as possible. In fact, in the last parliamentary term – for those of you who were Members of Parliament in the last parliamentary term – we interacted with this Parliament more frequently than in previous terms, the record shows.

    At the same time, it’s not just about us being accountable to you, it’s also the opportunity to hear your views and, through you, the views of European members and European people. Your debate and resolution are an important pillar of the ECB’s accountability framework and a key channel for you to share your views with us – and I can assure you that we listen and we pay great attention. For instance, next week will mark the 10th anniversary since the ECB started publishing the accounts of the Governing Council’s monetary policy meetings, and that was a major step in order to enhance our monetary policy communication and one that you, Parliament, had advocated for ten years ago. We have done that ever since, and we were followed through by other central banks around the world as a result.

    This year’s draft resolution covers key issues that are central to the ECB’s mandate and the future of the euro area, including our response to inflation, the digital euro and the ECB’s role in supporting the EU’s broader economic policies. It also reflects the dynamic challenges we face in Europe today, and I look forward to hearing you thoughts on all of these issues and having a constructive dialogue with you.

    But, before we do that, let me first outline our view on the current economic situation, explain what our monetary policy stance is and also address the broader economic challenges we are facing and what implications they have for our monetary policy.

    When I look at the euro area economy today, I can attest that it grew – but it grew modestly – in 2024. While output stagnated in the fourth quarter of 2024, it was still 0.9 % higher than in the last quarter of 2023. Surveys indicate that manufacturing continues to contract while services activity is expanding. Consumer confidence – you will hear more about that – is still fragile and, despite rising real incomes, households are hesitant to spend more.

    And yet, the conditions for a recovery remain in place. A solid job market and higher incomes should strengthen consumer confidence and allow spending to rise and consumer consumption to be a driver of growth. More affordable credit should boost consumption and investment over time. Exports should also allow and support the recovery as global demand rises, although in that respect it’s obviously conditional upon changes and developments that we will observe in international trade policies.

    Inflation stood at 2.5 % in January and has recently developed broadly in line with staff projections. Core inflation – that is, taking out energy and food – has remained at 2.7 % in recent months, reflecting a sideways movement in both services and goods inflation. Wage growth is moderating as expected, although it remains elevated, while at the same time profits are partially buffering the impact of wage increases on inflation.

    Inflation is set to return to our 2 % medium-term target in the course of 2025, this year, with risks on both the upside and the downside. It’s clear that greater friction in global trade would make the euro area inflation outlook more uncertain.

    In total, the ECB has lowered interest rates by 125 basis points since last June, and the deposit facility rate, which is the rate through which we steer the monetary policy stance, now stands at 2.75 %. At our last meeting in January, we decided to lower our key interest rates by another 25 basis points, based on an updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the underlying inflation and its dynamics, as well as the strength of monetary policy transmission. In particular, the disinflation process in the euro area is well on track. Most measures of underlying inflation suggest that inflation will settle at around our targets on a sustained basis. And while financing conditions continue to be tight, our recent interest rate cuts – 125 basis points – are gradually making borrowing less onerous for both corporates and households.

    We are determined to ensure that inflation stabilises at our 2 % medium-term target. We will follow a data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting approach to determining the appropriate monetary policy stance, and we are not pre-committing to any particular path.

    So let me now turn to the broader economic environment and its implications for monetary policy. Europe has faced – and you know that – a series of unprecedented challenges in recent years, each with its own far reaching impact, and probably more far reaching than we could all anticipate when they hit our radar screen. From the COVID-19 pandemic to surging energy prices and the geopolitical upheaval caused by Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, we have navigated our way through a storm of supply shocks, predominantly. Is that it? Probably not, because as we look ahead, notably because of geopolitical developments, the frequency of these shocks is likely to remain high.

    While we have weathered these crises, the past few years have also revealed missed opportunities and underinvestment in areas such as the digital transformation and the green transition, and the uncertainty surrounding trade and economic policy continues to weigh on consumption and on investment. As a result, and as was very well highlighted by the respective reports of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, Europe finds itself lagging behind international competitors in both productivity and growth.

    In a world driven by shifting global dynamics and rapid technological change, Europe must strike that delicate balance between achieving strategic autonomy and preserving its openness to the global economy. As President von der Leyen and I highlighted in a recent article, Europe’s response to these challenges must be bold and strategic. While the outlook may seem daunting, the prospects are more promising than they might appear.

    One of Europe’s first priorities should be to deepen the internal market. By removing the very barriers that we impose upon ourselves – barriers that actually operate almost like internal tariffs – we can unlock economies of scale, encourage innovation and reduced costs for consumers and producers alike. We are already home to a wealth of ideas and innovators. Our challenge is to transform these ideas into technologies that effectively fuel economic growth. To do so, we need to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and foster an innovation-friendly environment.

    Another critical area is enhancing Europe’s autonomy in payments, which form the backbone of our economy and our single currency. At present, a few foreign – foreign – providers dominate Europe’s payments landscape. Yes, there are a few Member States that have their own respective payment system, but overall it is dominated by foreign players, leaving us vulnerable to external pressures. As we face an increasingly digital future, we must prepare the ground for a digital euro. This will ensure the resilience and public good nature of our payment systems. It will also provide a platform for private innovation in digital payments – private innovation that banks can take the initiative of.

    With substantial substantial savings at its disposal, Europe must channel more resources into private investment and scale up financing to support its innovators. A genuine capital market union designed for citizens and businesses alike will be instrumental in that respect. I have advocated that for years and so have you. But we need to make sure that it comes through as a reality, not as an aspiration.

    More broadly, investment must be the cornerstone of Europe’s economic transformation. The focus must be on investing in physical and digital infrastructure, research and development, and green technologies. These are not optional but essential investments required to drive productivity and guarantee Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage. In addition, they will address our energy dependence and help us meet our climate goal – both pressing imperatives.

    In this regard, we welcome the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass as a concrete roadmap for action, which will also support the ECB in maintaining price stability by reducing Europe’s susceptibility to supply shocks.

    Having said that, the European Central Bank is not standing still. We are committed to learning from the experiences of recent years. As part of the ongoing assessment of our monetary policy strategy, we are preparing for the risk of an increasingly volatile future. We are taking stock of a changed inflation environment and economic context. We are also focusing on the implications for monetary policy, our experiences with our evolving policy toolkit, our reaction function and how to better deal with risk and uncertainty in policy setting and communication. While the ECB continuously evaluates and adapts its economic models – a topic raised in your resolution, I know that – assessing new analytical needs will be one component of this assessment.

    So, in conclusion, the challenges facing Europe are immense, but solutions are within our reach. Our opportunity lies in more and better Europe.

    As Konrad Adenauer said 70 years ago, ‘European unity was the dream of a few. It became the hope for many. Today it is a necessity for all of us’. This sentiment, and I quoted him, rings true today more than ever.

    To jointly tackle Europe’s challenges, I’m counting on Parliament’s commitment. Within its mandate, the ECB will play its part. Ever since the introduction of the euro, the ECB has continuously adapted to changing economic environments to fulfil its mandate. And we will remain fully committed to delivering on this very mandate. We are equally committed to maintaining our active and meaningful dialogue with all of you, as Members of the European Parliament, and I thank you for your attention.

    		  
       


    		 

      Maria Luís Albuquerque, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, President Lagarde, honourable Members, it is a pleasure to discuss the draft report on the ECB Annual Report prepared by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. I would like to thank the rapporteur Ms Anouk Van Brug and the members of the Committee.

    The assessment of the ECB’s activities by the European Parliament is an important part of the democratic accountability of the ECB. The Commission welcomes the ECB’s monetary policy measures, which have helped to keep inflation expectations anchored, and have contributed to the disinflationary processes over the last two years. The Commission acknowledges the ECB’s strong commitment and decisive action to ensuring price stability.

    Last year, the EU economy resumed moderate growth amidst a further abatement of inflationary pressures; unemployment remained very low, and employment reached record levels. Overall, the EU economy has shown remarkable resilience amidst the series of severe shocks. This is in no small measure thanks to our collective policy actions, including those of the ECB. Looking ahead, and in line with the ECB, the Commission expects inflation to return to around 2 % in the course of the year. GDP growth is set to pick up as private consumption gains strength and investment recovers from a weak performance in 2024.

    At the same time, the European economy suffers from a series of structural breaks on its competitiveness, holding back our growth and threatening our future prosperity. As the world has entered an era of harsh geostrategic competition, boosting our competitiveness and productivity has become even more urgent. This requires urgent action on several fronts.

    To steer the work, two weeks ago, the Commission proposed a competitiveness compass. It is centered on three transformational imperatives: closing the innovation gap, a joint roadmap for decarbonisation and competitiveness, and reducing excessive dependencies and increasing security. These enablers are complemented by action on horizontal enablers, such as completion of the single market, simplification, promotion of skills and quality jobs, better coordination of policies and financing. Over the next weeks and months, the Commission will roll out a series of policy initiatives to implement the strategy. The Commission looks forward to working closely with Parliament to deliver on them.

    A key foundation for a competitive economy is economic stability. Therefore, in line with the calls in your report to ensure sound fiscal policies, we have proceeded swiftly with the implementation of the new economic governance framework. We approved the medium‑term plans for 21 Member States. Those plans contain commitments for prudent fiscal policies, as well as reforms and investments in line with our EU priorities. Now, the time for delivery has come to bring deficits and debt down where they are too high.

    Overall, the implementation of the EU Member States’ plans will result into a slightly contractionary fiscal stance in 2025, which is appropriate following a long period of expansion.

    Honourable Members, our challenges are numerous. The actions we need to take are ambitious and urgent. Together with the support of this House and underpinned by the crucial policies of the ECB, we will be able to improve our competitiveness, secure our social market economy and build our future prosperity.

    		  
       

    		 

      Markus Ferber, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Frau Kommissarin! Frau Präsidentin, liebe Christine Lagarde! In der Vergangenheit war der Jahresbericht zur Europäischen Zentralbank oft ein hartes Stück Arbeit. Und in schwierigen Verhandlungen ist manchmal auch die klare Linie abhandengekommen. Dieses Mal ist es anders. Und dafür möchte ich auch im Namen unseres Verhandlungsführers Marco Falcone, der Berichterstatterin und dem gesamten Verhandlungsteam ganz herzlich danken.

    Der Bericht gibt ein klares Bekenntnis zum Ziel der Preisstabilität, das immer der Fixstern des Handelns für die EZB sein sollte. Daraus folgen die Kernprinzipien wie das der monetären Dominanz und der Marktneutralität. Der Aspekt der Marktneutralität ist für uns als EVP-Fraktion von ganz besonderer Bedeutung. Denn für uns ist entscheidend, dass die Europäische Zentralbank in ihren geldpolitischen Entscheidungen den Wettbewerb und die Marktmechanismen nicht verzerrt. Das mag hier in diesem Haus nicht jedem gefallen, denn so mancher will die EZB gern für politische Ziele einspannen. Aber das ist nicht ihre Aufgabe. Im Sinne eines fairen Wettbewerbs und einer effizienten Kapitalallokation sollten wir deswegen der Versuchung widerstehen. Deswegen ist das Prinzip der Marktneutralität so entscheidend. Ich freue mich, dass wir dieses Mal endlich einen Text gefunden haben, der hoffentlich alle Seiten entsprechend berücksichtigt.

    Neben der Geldpolitik haben wir uns auch mit dem digitalen Euro beschäftigt. Hier liegen zwar Vorschläge auf dem Tisch, aber diese Vorschläge lassen noch viele Fragen offen. Und auf die müssen wir im Gesetzgebungsverfahren Antworten finden. Wir sollten auch in diesem Jahresbericht keine Vorfestlegungen treffen. Das gilt aber auch für die Europäische Zentralbank, die akzeptieren muss, dass momentan der Gesetzgeber der Herr des Verfahrens ist und nicht die Europäische Zentralbank. Es handelt sich nämlich nicht nur um eine reine geldpolitische Entscheidung, sondern um eine politische Entscheidung von großer Tragweite. Und das sollten wir in aller Ruhe hier in diesem Haus miteinander diskutieren. Ich bitte Sie wirklich, diesen Passus sehr intensiv zu lesen, auch Ihrem Stellvertreter mitzugeben, der sich hier besonders engagiert. Dann sind wir auf dem richtigen Weg.

    		  
       

    		 

      Evelyn Regner, im Namen der S&D-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Sehr geehrte Frau Präsidentin Lagarde! Sehr geehrte Frau Kommissarin Albuquerque! Die Europäische Zentralbank ist viel mehr als nur eine Bank: Sie ist das Rückgrat unserer Wirtschaftspolitik, Stütze der Europäischen Union. Ihre Geldpolitik bestimmt unsere wirtschaftliche Zukunft, und wer ihr die Hände bindet, blockiert den Fortschritt, gefährdet den sozialen Frieden und stellt sich gegen die gemeinsame Verantwortung.

    Preisstabilität ist der Kern, um nicht zu sagen die heilige Kuh der Geldpolitik. Doch Geldpolitik geht weit über die bloße Preisstabilität hinaus. Daher hat die Europäische Zentralbank auch zwei Mandate, und das zweite Mandat umfasst die Verantwortung für den Wohlstand der Menschen, für Arbeitsplätze, Innovation und auch für Chancengleichheit. In einer Zeit, in der der Klimawandel und soziale Ungleichheit immer mehr auf die Menschen niederprasseln, ist das zweite Mandat der Europäischen Zentralbank dadurch dringlicher denn je.

    Wir Sozialdemokratinnen und Sozialdemokraten stehen fest an der Seite der EZB, denn ihre Rolle ist unverzichtbar – auch im Kampf gegen den Klimawandel. Tatsächlich: Preisstabilität und Klimaschutz sind untrennbar miteinander verbunden. Denn die Klimakrise bedroht Menschen, bedroht unseren Planeten und die Wirtschaft gleichermaßen, und wer das nicht begreift, der lebt in einer Illusion. Leider gibt es noch immer Kräfte in diesem Haus, die die EZB auf eine marktneutrale Linie zwingen wollen, als ob dies ein unantastbares Dogma wäre. Aber wir wissen: Marktneutralität ist kein Naturgesetz, sondern maximal ein von Menschen erdachtes Konzept, das uns im Klimakampf im Stich lässt. Diese Politik der Marktneutralität würde die Probleme der Menschen und des Planeten verschärfen, statt Lösungen zu bringen.

    Die Erkenntnis also, dass Klimawandel, soziale Gerechtigkeit und Preisstabilität eng miteinander verknüpft sind, muss uns den Leitfaden geben, wie Geldpolitik zu gestalten ist. Denn nur eine nachhaltige und gerechte Wirtschaft kann langfristige Stabilität für uns alle gewährleisten.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sebastiaan Stöteler, namens de PfE-Fractie. – Voorzitter, mevrouw Lagarde, ik spreek vandaag ten behoeve van mijn delegatiegenoot Zijlstra, die schaduwrapporteur op dit dossier was en helaas vandaag wegens ziekte niet kan spreken.

    Toen de Europese Centrale Bank op 1 juni 1998 door Wim Duisenberg boven het doopvont van het Verdrag van Maastricht werd gehouden, dachten we allemaal dat we een centrale bank zouden hebben die tot doel had het prijspeil stabiel te houden. Zo staat het ook nog steeds in het mandaat.

    Bijna dertig jaar later blijkt daar echter weinig van over te zijn. Volgens cijfers van het CBS bedraagt de Nederlandse inflatie sinds 2020 ongeveer 20 %. Gevolg: bijna nergens in de EU is alles zo snel zo duur geworden als in Nederland. De mensen komen steeds moeilijker rond. Door de hoge inflatie van afgelopen jaren verdampte ongeveer 30 miljard EUR aan Nederlands spaargeld, maar konden failliete eurolanden wel hun staatsschuld weginflateren.

    Dit perverse systeem moet gestopt worden. De Nederlandse spaarder, gepensioneerde en ondernemer worden belazerd door een centrale bank die enkel oog heeft voor de belangen van ministers die hun overheden onverantwoord geleid hebben en begrotingen niet op orde krijgen. Het wordt tijd dat de Europese Centrale Bank de mensen die sparen, werken en ondernemen weer in het vizier heeft en niet langer straft, maar beloont. Dat zo’n koerswijziging wellicht het faillissement van een of meerdere eurolanden betekent, is een spijtige zaak, maar het mag geen argument zijn om de Nederlander verder financieel uit te roken.

    		  
       

    		 

      Denis Nesci, a nome del gruppo ECR. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Presidente Lagarde, oggi ci troviamo a discutere il rapporto annuale della BCE, un documento che fornisce una panoramica sulle politiche monetarie adottate, sull’attività di vigilanza e sulle altre funzioni svolte dal Sistema europeo di banche centrali.

    In qualità di relatore ombra del gruppo ECR, ho lavorato affinché il testo mantenesse un approccio pratico, bilanciando l’indipendenza della BCE con la necessità di garantire una politica monetaria efficace.

    Il rapporto affronta temi come la politica monetaria, l’euro digitale, gli obiettivi secondari della BCE e il rafforzamento del ruolo internazionale dell’euro e sottolinea l’importanza della stabilità dei prezzi nella lotta all’inflazione, fondamentale per un ambiente favorevole a investimenti, crescita e occupazione.

    Riguardo all’euro digitale, si chiarisce che dovrà affiancare il contante senza sostituirlo, garantendo la privacy ai cittadini. Si evidenzia inoltre la necessità di maggiore trasparenza nella gestione delle obbligazioni societarie e di un approccio equilibrato nella decarbonizzazione.

    Infine, chiediamo alla BCE di intensificare il dialogo con i parlamenti nazionali e di collaborare strettamente con gli Stati membri su un programma di educazione finanziaria, strumenti fondamentali per aumentare la consapevolezza e la preparazione di consumatori e imprese.

    È cruciale che la BCE adotti un approccio più pragmatico e improntato al buon senso, sempre con l’obiettivo di salvaguardare le famiglie, le imprese e i consumatori. Solo con politiche che riflettono una comprensione concreta delle sfide quotidiane, la BCE potrà rafforzare ulteriormente la fiducia nell’euro e migliorare l’efficacia delle sue azioni, promuovendo un equilibrio tra la stabilità economica e il benessere dei nostri cittadini.

    		  
       

    		 

      Gilles Boyer, au nom du groupe Renew. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, Madame la rapporteure, Madame la Présidente Lagarde – merci pour votre présence et pour vos propos –, nous pensons que la Banque centrale européenne doit pouvoir réagir avec la souplesse nécessaire, en respectant évidemment le mandat établi par les traités, pour assurer la stabilité monétaire au sein de notre Union.

    Le principe de neutralité de marché a donc toute sa place dans la politique monétaire de la Banque centrale européenne, mais nous devons l’appliquer avec intelligence et avec flexibilité, comme tout ce que nous faisons. Il faut permettre à la Banque centrale européenne de réagir aux changements économiques et sociétaux, a fortiori lorsqu’ils sont systémiques, comme c’est souvent le cas en ce moment.

    La réalité s’impose à nous. Je prends l’exemple des accords internationaux que nous avons pu conclure, tels que l’accord de Bâle sur la régulation du système bancaire. Lorsque nos partenaires dans les autres juridictions décident de ne pas appliquer les règles mondiales décidées en commun et créent une situation de concurrence déloyale, nous devons pouvoir réévaluer nos positions pour nous assurer que nos banques soient toujours en mesure de financer nos PME, les ménages européens et les transitions vertes et numériques qui sont si essentielles. Le tout, évidemment, dans le cadre d’un système financier sécurisé.

    Ce sera un des enjeux de ce mandat européen, ici. Notre Union européenne s’est beaucoup tournée vers elle-même, et à juste titre, par le passé. Elle doit à présent regarder davantage vers l’extérieur.

    		  
       

    		 

      Rasmus Andresen, im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Die geldpolitische Debatte in diesem Haus ist in Teilen unehrlich und auch durch Widersprüche geprägt. Finanzstabilität ist 2025 etwas anderes als in den 90er- oder in den 2000er-Jahren. Deshalb muss sich auch die Arbeit der Zentralbanken weiterentwickeln. Wer zum Beispiel möchte, dass die Inflation sinkt und dass die Preise bezahlbar werden, muss sich mit den Ursachen auseinandersetzen. Und die Ursachen für die hohe Inflation in den letzten Jahren – zumindest in der Europäischen Union, im Euro-Währungsgebiet – sind die hohen Energiepreise und zum Teil auch die Profitgier. Denn einige Konzerne haben die Energiepreisexplosionen ausgenutzt und – während wir über Sanktionen gegenüber Russland beraten haben – ganz gut Kasse gemacht.

    Wer möchte, dass unsere Währung und unsere Wirtschaft stabil bleiben, der kann die Augen nicht vor der Klimakrise verschließen. Und wer möchte, dass wir in moderne Infrastruktur investieren, kann nicht ignorieren, dass auch hohe Zinssätze darauf einen Effekt haben. Es ist sehr schade, dass der aktuelle EZB-Bericht, über den wir morgen abstimmen, alle diese Fragen nicht befriedigend beantwortet, sondern – im Gegenteil – vor einem Großteil der Probleme die Augen verschließt. Es ist gut, dass die EZB in diesen Fragen viel weiter ist als einige Abgeordnete hier im Haus, denn es ist dringend notwendig. Und es wäre auch notwendig, sich damit auseinanderzusetzen, welche Rolle eigentlich die USA auch für die Geldpolitik in den nächsten Jahren spielen werden. Trump macht Geldpolitik, die vor allem im Interesse von Krypto-Milliardären ist. Das sollten wir nicht auch tun.

    Deshalb ist es wichtig, dass wir eine eigene Geldpolitik formulieren und dass wir uns über diese Fragen auseinandersetzen. Dazu sind wir Grüne bereit. Und wir freuen uns, Frau Lagarde, dass wir das auch in den nächsten Jahren mit Ihnen und Ihrem Team weiter tun werden.

    		  
       

    		 

      Jussi Saramo, The Left-ryhmän puolesta. – Arvoisa puhemies, jokaisesta ostoksestani menee siivu amerikkalaiselle kartellille. Suurin osa korttiostoksista – kännykälläkin tehdyistä – tehdään Visan ja Mastercardin kautta. Oikeaa kilpailua ei ole, vaikka yksityinen monopoli tai kartelli on kaikkein huonoin tapa järjestää pakolliset asiat.

    Miksi eurooppalaiset yrittäjät joutuvat tilittämään osan myynnistään yhdysvaltalaiselle duopolille, joka sanelee hinnat? Samalla Trump uhkaa meitä tulleilla, veronkierrolla, jopa sotilaallisella hyökkäyksellä. Yhteiskunnan perusjärjestelmät eivät voi olla arvaamattoman valtion hybridisodan uhan alla. Nyt on laitettava tavallisten eurooppalaisten kuluttajien ja pienyrittäjien etu pankkien ja Yhdysvaltain suurvaltapolitiikan edelle.

    Digieuro, oikein tehtynä, lisäisi Euroopan itsenäisyyttä parantamalla maksujärjestelmämme kestävyyttä ja palauttamalla julkisen vaihtoehdon maksamiseen. Vastustan käteisestä luopumista, mutta jos ja kun kauppiaat, pankit ja markkinat ajavat käteisen alas, on meillä oltava tulevaisuudessakin julkinen rahan muoto. Kuluttajien lisäksi digieurosta hyötyisivät erityisesti kauppiaat, joiden neuvotteluasema suhteessa maksunvälittäjiin paranisi lisävaihtoehtojen myötä. Oikein tehtynä digieuro myös vapauttaisi tavalliset pienituloiset ihmiset pankkien pakkoasiakkuudesta. Tähän ei tunnu olevan vielä poliittista tahtoa, mutta tulevaisuudessa digieuro voisi olla paljon, paljon enemmän kuin mihin konservatiivit ovat olleet valmiina.

    Tämänvuotinen mietintö Euroopan keskuspankin toimista on valitettavasti puutteellinen muutenkin kuin digieuron osalta. Siinä ei oteta riittävässä määrin huomioon, että keskuspankin asettama korkotaso on edelleen liian korkea monelle euroalueen jäsenvaltiolle, kuten omalle kotimaalleni Suomelle. Mietintö on pettymys myös ilmastotoimien ja vihreän siirtymän suhteen. Se jopa vaatii EKP:ta jarruttelemaan ilmastonmuutoksen vastaisissa toimissa. Modernilla keskuspankilla on oltava muitakin tavoitteita kuin hintavakaus. Keskuspankit voivat – ja niiden täytyy – tukea työllisyyttä ja siirtymää kohti kestävää taloutta.

    		  
       

    		 

      René Aust, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren, unsere Währung muss sicher sein! Denn nur eine stabile Währung sichert den Wohlstand unserer Bürger. Eine stabile Währung schützt Wohlstand und Kaufkraft. Sie sorgt dafür, dass Preise berechenbar bleiben, dass sich Arbeit lohnt und jeder auch morgen noch genauso viel oder mehr für sein Geld bekommt wie bisher.

    Die Europäische Zentralbank hätte den Auftrag, genau das zu gewährleisten. Doch seit Jahren verfolgt sie andere Ziele: Finanzierung von Staatsschulden; sie griff in die Wirtschafts- und Sozialpolitik von Nationalstaaten in den Zeiten der Troika ein; und jetzt macht sie sogar Klimapolitik. Die Folgen spüren wir alle: Ersparnisse schrumpfen, Investitionen gehen zurück.

    Landsleute und Bürger Europas! Wir brauchen keine Experimente der EZB mit unserem Geld. Wir brauchen Verlässlichkeit! Deshalb ist jetzt ein klarer Kurs nötig: Das Eurosystem muss reformiert werden; die Stimmgewichte im EZB-Rat müssen sich an der Kapitalbeteiligung orientieren, Deutschland hat heute eine Stimme wie auch Malta – das muss verändert werden; TARGET2-Salden müssen jährlich mit Werten wie Gold, Bitcoin oder handelbaren Wertpapieren ausgeglichen werden; keine Schuldenpolitik durch die Hintertür, die EZB darf weder direkt noch indirekt Schulden der Staaten finanzieren.

    Das Mandat der EZB muss wieder gelten, und zwar wortgetreu! Eine solide Geldpolitik schützt Einkommen und Vermögen, sie gibt den Menschen Sicherheit, sie hält unsere Wirtschaft stark. Es braucht klare Regeln und eine Zentralbank, die sich an ihren Auftrag hält! Dafür ist Präsidentin Lagarde die Falsche.

    		  
       

    		 

      Fernando Navarrete Rojas (PPE). – Mr President, Commissioner, President Lagarde, I want to begin by recognising the successful job the ECB has done under your leadership in ensuring price stability amid major shocks. A soft landing is now within reach – well done.

    Dear colleagues, this recognition, however, should not blur our judgement on the digital euro initiative. We all agree on the need to digitally proof the single currency, but does this require giving citizens a direct access to the ECB balance sheet, thus facilitating bank runs? Can untested safeguards like holding limits withstand political and financial stress? Should an innovation be led by the private sector? Is a digital euro based on central bank money the best solution to our dependencies in the payment area?

    Regardless of our answers, the potential issuance of a digital euro would be one of the most consequential decisions in financial policy. It will have far‑reaching consequences beyond monetary policy in areas like financial stability, innovation in payments and citizens’ privacy, just to name a few.

    Dear colleagues, regardless of our standing on the substance, the only thing we cannot do as parliamentarians is to relinquish our duty by a massive delegation of power in these domains. Don’t you think it is for us, co‑legislators, to co‑decide if and when the conditions for the issuance of a digital euro are met? I do think so, not least because I truly believe in central bank independence when conducting monetary policy.

    		  
       

    		 

      Jonás Fernández (S&D). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, señora presidenta, un placer tenerla aquí y aprovechar este debate que tenemos cada año no solamente para discutir los detalles del informe que votamos mañana, sino para hablar de política monetaria y de la actividad del Banco Central Europeo.

    Y yo creo que, a la vista de los indicadores, de las estimaciones, de los datos que conocemos, hay aún margen para reducir los tipos de interés, y creemos que por ahí debemos ir porque las tasas de crecimiento además están muy muy apagadas en el conjunto de la Unión Europea.

    Pero créanme que en ese margen para reducir tipos de interés hay una notable incertidumbre —hablaba usted de ella previamente—, y no es otra que el nuevo Gobierno de Donald Trump en Estados Unidos y la guerra arancelaria que parece que hemos iniciado. Yo creo que es importante ser contundente: creo que es importante que Europa refuerce su autonomía estratégica y responda con fuerza, y hay instrumentos para hacerlo que pueden no entrar en colisión con el objetivo de estabilidad de precios, y hay muchos.

    Pero, hablando de autonomía estratégica, yo quiero decir también a la Comisión y al BCE que mi Grupo, el Grupo de Socialistas y Demócratas, está preparado para negociar el euro digital y esperamos avanzar en los próximos meses, y que, además, si queremos mejorar la autonomía estratégica, tenemos que garantizar la seguridad de nuestro sistema bancario europeo. Y cuando otras jurisdicciones como la estadounidense parece que retrasan sine die la implementación de Basilea, yo creo que en Europa tenemos que empezar a hablar de revisar los regímenes de equivalencia de los bancos estadounidenses: no podemos compartir una carrera de reducción de la regulación en la supervisión.

    		  
       

    		 

      Pierre Pimpie (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, je vous le dis, le mal est fait. La BCE a déversé sur les marchés des milliers de milliards d’euros. C’était le fameux assouplissement quantitatif. Tel un dealer, elle a pendant des années donné le goût de l’argent gratuit, de la facilité, de l’absence d’efforts, pour mieux ferrer ses clients.

    Des pays comme la France sont devenus drogués, dans l’incapacité de se passer du roulement de la dette. Ils ont renoncé à leur souveraineté financière en contrepartie de doses d’argent de plus en plus létales.

    Désormais, la BCE cesse d’acheter les dettes souveraines sur le marché secondaire. Le sevrage risque de s’avérer critique. Le piège se referme. Les États sont devenus dépendants de la BCE. L’argent gratuit est devenu très cher et la crise financière s’annonce plausible, sinon probable, dans les prochains mois. J’augure que le drogué suppliera son dealer de lui fournir une injection redoublée.

    Quel cynisme de la part de l’Europe de Francfort, qui appelle à la rigueur budgétaire après avoir prôné la relance à toute berzingue! Comme tout dealer responsable de l’addiction de ses clients, la BCE devra rendre des comptes.

    		  
       


    		 

      Engin Eroglu (Renew). – Herr Präsident! Sehr geehrte Frau Präsidentin Lagarde! Sehr geehrte Frau Kommissarin! Vielen Dank, Frau Lagarde, dass Sie wieder bei uns im Haus sind. Ich freue mich sehr, immer wieder mit Ihnen hier oder im Ausschuss diskutieren zu können. Denn ich denke, der Austausch in so schwierigen Zeiten ist wirklich von Bedeutung und wichtig.

    Frau Lagarde, ich möchte auf den aktuellen Bericht eingehen – aber das bezogen auf ein Interview von Ihnen, das ich am 31. Januar in der Financial Times lesen durfte. Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu diesem tollen Interview! Sie haben es gemeinsam mit Frau von der Leyen geschrieben oder gegeben.

    Da ist genau das Problem, Frau Lagarde, Sie hören es hier von vielen Kollegen: die Marktneutralität, die Preisstabilität. Viele unserer Kollegen im Haus, die wirkliche Experten für Finanzen sind, haben das Gefühl, dass irgendwo die Neutralität unserer EZB verloren gegangen ist – und dass Sie eine gefährliche Nähe zur Kommission und zu Staatschefs haben. Deswegen halte ich es wirklich für schwierig, dann ein gemeinsames Interview zu lesen, obwohl Sie, und da möchte ich Sie ausdrücklich loben, Frau Lagarde – die Punkte, die Sie in dem Interview benannt haben, sind genau richtig. Sie haben gesagt, wir müssen die Überregulierung im Bankensektor abbauen. Die Antwort ist sehr simpel. Hier in diesem Haus der große Fehler: Taxonomie und ESG – eine völlige Überregulierung des Bankensystems. Dann haben Sie zu Recht bemängelt, dass die Unternehmen nicht ausreichend Finanzmittel zur Finanzierung unserer Unternehmen herausgeben. Ja, harte Eigenkapitalquote runter, das ist die Antwort darauf. Dann ein anderer Punkt: die Energiepreise. Natürlich sind die Energiepreise viel zu hoch. Die Antwort darauf: Wir brauchen mehr fossiles Gas von so vielen Anbietern wie möglich.

    Frau Lagarde, meine inständige Bitte: Kommen Sie zur Neutralität zurück und hören Sie nicht auf den linken Teil dieses Hauses. Eine Marktneutralität infrage zu stellen bedeutet, den Euro kaputt zu machen und damit unsere Demokratie an die Wand zu fahren.

    		  
       

    		 

      João Oliveira (The Left). – Senhor Presidente, Senhora Lagarde, a sua política de combate à inflação a partir do Banco Central Europeu é errada, é injusta e tem de ser alterada. É errada porque quer combater a inflação, esmagando o poder de compra do povo em vez de intervir nos preços. É injusta porque arruína a vida dos trabalhadores e das pequenas e médias empresas, mas garante lucros escandalosos aos bancos e aos grupos económicos. A rapidez da subida das taxas de juro não foi a mesma na descida, e a situação é insustentável. As famílias continuam sufocadas com os custos do crédito à habitação. As pequenas e médias empresas enfrentam dificuldades com o aumento dos custos do crédito, mas o custo de vida não para de aumentar porque os grupos económicos continuam a fixar os preços «à Lagardère» como bem querem e lhes apetece. Os lucros dos bancos em 2024 renderam aos seus acionistas 123 mil milhões de EUR de dividendos. Só em Portugal, em 2024, os maiores grupos económicos e financeiros tiveram 32 milhões de lucros por dia. Senhora Lagarde, mude de política porque com esta política arruína a vida do povo. O caminho certo e justo é o da rápida descida das taxas de juro para aliviar as famílias e as pequenas e médias empresas. O caminho certo e justo é o do combate à inflação, com medidas de controlo, fixação ou tabelamento de preços, sobretudo de bens essenciais, cujos preços aumentaram de forma especulativa nos últimos anos. É esse o desafio que lhe fazemos.

    		  
       

    		 

      Rada Laykova (ESN). – Mr President, the term inflation originates from price inflation or monetary inflation, the latter referring to an increase in the money supply. Price inflation inevitably follows monetary inflation. Yet, this report does not mention monetary inflation, not even once. Instead, it falsely attributes price increases solely to external factors, such as energy markets and the war in Ukraine. But inflation in the Eurozone is fundamentally driven by monetary policy, and the only institution controlling the money supply is the ECB.

    In the ECON Committee, we have observed continued support from some political groups for expansionist monetary policies, primarily to finance deficit spending. Instead of ensuring price stability, the ECB is now expected to counterbalance consequences of unsustainable EU economic policies by printing more money. This approach not only contradicts the ECB statute but also risks worsening the economic situation.

    The ECB was created with a single mandate: price stability. Yet today, it has expanded its role to include climate change, economic redistribution and even global peace efforts. Can an institution struggling to fulfil its core responsibility effectively take on such additional tasks?

    Rather than relying on continuously monetary expansion, the EU should focus on addressing its economic policy failures, excessive regulations and the unintended consequences of self‑sanctioning. Europeans are increasingly aware of these issues, and they’re questioning the policies that have led to economic uncertainty and the declining value of the euro. They understand exactly where the responsibility lies – within the ECB and this very institution.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lídia Pereira (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, as taxas de juro estão a descer, mas, mais do que anúncios e notícias, as famílias precisam de sentir um alívio real no custo de vida. Há dois anos, com taxas de inflação acima dos 10 %, só podíamos estar apreensivos. Hoje, esse tempo parece longínquo, mas temos de evitar triunfalismos. A inflação estabilizou, sim, mas ainda está acima do objetivo de médio prazo; e, numa Europa que queremos que cresça em conjunto, não podemos ter taxas de inflação de 1 % num país e de 5 % noutro. Temos de crescer juntos e para isso também temos de agir juntos.

    O que também me parece longínquo, mas que recordamos bem, foi o alinhamento da extrema‑esquerda e da extrema‑direita contra decisões de política monetária do Banco Central Europeu. E também nos recordamos bem da cedência dos socialistas a essa pressão mediática. Como sempre, as eleições estiveram à frente do sentido de responsabilidade. Já nós, estamos onde sempre estivemos, no respeito pela independência do Banco Central. Com opiniões, é certo, mas sem ceder à tentação de mentir às pessoas sobre os poderes de umas e outras instituições europeias. A minha opinião não é de agora: a política monetária tem de se normalizar, mas os efeitos das descidas têm de chegar mais rapidamente ao bolso das famílias. E, por outro lado, não podemos esperar tudo do Banco Central Europeu e não fazer a nossa parte, assumindo reformas que teimam em não sair dos relatórios. As pessoas já não precisam de mais anúncios, precisam das consequências desses anúncios. Do BCE espera‑se independência e deste Parlamento espera‑se ação.

    		  
       

    		 

      Aurore Lalucq (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, les moments de crise sont de vrais révélateurs: révélateurs de la qualité des personnes, de leur courage, de leur intégrité, de leur fiabilité ou non, révélateurs des lignes politiques et des valeurs profondes qui nous animent, des moments où les masques tombent. Et nous sommes exactement dans l’un de ces moments.

    Si les démocrates critiquent, parfois débattent, se débattent, les populistes attaquent toujours. Ils attaquent à la fois la démocratie, les institutions et in fine la souveraineté. Notre monnaie, notre banque centrale n’y échapperont pas. Or, c’est bien sur la Banque centrale européenne que nous avons pu compter à chaque crise. C’est bien la Banque centrale européenne qui anticipe les crises. Et nous, allons-nous les anticiper un jour?

    Nous devons défendre la Banque centrale européenne et notre monnaie, nos piliers institutionnels de souveraineté en leur donnant deux outils. Le premier outil est l’euro numérique – je ne comprends pas ce que nous attendons, chers collègues –, le second, le budget pour prendre le relais de la politique monétaire.

    J’attends de nous que nous soyons responsables, que nous ne soyons pas populistes. Faisons bien attention à ce que nous disons sur la Banque centrale européenne et l’euro dans le moment actuel.

    		  
       

    		 

      Angéline Furet (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, Madame Lagarde, le rapport 2024 de la Banque centrale européenne confirme une réalité alarmante: sous prétexte de résilience et de stabilité, la BCE a continué d’imposer des politiques monétaires qui étouffent nos économies nationales. Elle a persisté à maintenir des taux directeurs élevés, pénalisant nos PME et nos agriculteurs, déjà fragilisés par des réglementations environnementales absurdes et un marché unique asphyxiant.

    Pire, ce rapport ignore l’essentiel: la souveraineté des États. La BCE, inféodée à la vision fédéraliste, instrumentalise la politique monétaire pour renforcer le pouvoir bruxellois au détriment des nations. Quand elle évoque une approche fondée sur les données, elle oublie les données humaines: chômage, désindustrialisation et détresse rurale qui frappent la France. Au nom de la transition verte, elle encourage des investissements pharaoniques dans des technologies inaccessibles à nos territoires, tandis que nos paysans croulent sous les normes et les coûts énergétiques.

    La compétitivité de l’Europe? Un leurre, quand nos entreprises sont étouffées par des prix de l’énergie structurellement plus élevés qu’ailleurs. Nous devons refuser cette fuite en avant technocratique. La France a besoin de retrouver le contrôle de sa politique économique, de sa monnaie et de son destin.

    Plutôt que de suivre aveuglément les dogmes de Francfort, exigeons une BCE au service des peuples, pas des idéologies.

    		  
       

    		 

      Bogdan Rzońca (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Pani Prezes! W imieniu ECR chciałem bardzo jednoznacznie powiedzieć, że ten dokument, który przygotował Parlament, jest lepszy niż dokumenty z poprzednich lat.

    Jako ECR uważamy, że Europejski Bank Centralny powinien przede wszystkim brać pod uwagę podstawowe parametry gospodarcze poszczególnych państw. Wtedy jego interwencje będą bardziej wiarygodne. I jeśli jest coś nadzwyczajnego, to oczywiście tak, EBC powinien pomagać. Europejski Bank Centralny musi być odporny na ideologię – absolutnie się z tym zgadzamy. Tak zwany zdrowy rozsądek naprawdę jest bardzo, bardzo potrzebny w działaniach tego banku. Nie powinno być preferencji żadnych firm, żadnych branż. Tylko czysta gospodarka i czyste interwencje banku właśnie w obszary kryzysowe.

    Jeśli chodzi o cyfrowe euro, to tu potrzeba więcej informacji, więcej rozmów, więcej debat na ten temat, ale prawdziwa wolność gospodarcza jest zawsze przy użyciu wolnych środków, żywej gotówki – i tego nie możemy blokować. Nie wolno bać się Stanów Zjednoczonych, należy brać stamtąd najlepsze rozwiązania. Wtedy Unia Europejska też będzie lepsza.

    		  
       

    		 

      Alexander Jungbluth (ESN). – Herr Präsident! Wenn man die Ausführungen heute hört, dann klingt das so ein bisschen, als hätte man ein Meisterwerk der Preisstabilität im EU-Währungsgebiet geschaffen. Aber ist es das wirklich? Nein, es ist ein Blendwerk, das die eigentlichen Versäumnisse dieser Institution verschleiern soll.

    Die EZB agiert längst als politischer Akteur und nicht als unabhängiger Hüter der Preisstabilität. Man möge sich fragen, wie das Ziel der Inflationsbekämpfung bei 2 % gelingen soll, wenn die EZB Märkte durch endlose Anleihenkäufe manipuliert. Damit wird keineswegs die Inflation gezähmt, sondern das Prinzip der Marktwirtschaft mit Füßen getreten. Wer zahlt am Ende die Zeche? Es sind unsere Sparer, es sind unsere Rentner.

    Ein weiteres Kapitel in diesem Trauerspiel ist der digitale Euro, angeblich eine Ergänzung zum Bargeld, doch in Wahrheit der perfekte Hebel zur totalen Überwachung und Kontrolle. Es ist nichts weiter als eine neue Dimension des staatlichen Eingriffs in das selbstbestimmte Leben der Bürger der Europäischen Union.

    Darüber hinaus verstrickt sich die EZB in zweifelhafte Projekte, die wie green bonds daherkommen. Man spricht von Klimaschutz, doch was steckt wirklich dahinter? Ein versteckter Umverteilungsmechanismus, bei dem unsere Bürger die Kosten für unhaltbare Schulden anderer Länder tragen sollen! Es ist ein Bruch europäischer Verträge, und es ist eine klare Beugung des geltenden Rechts.

    		  
       

    		 

      Dirk Gotink (PPE). – Voorzitter, president, commissaris, de afgelopen jaren hebben mensen in heel Europa koopkracht ingeleverd door de ongekende inflatie. Covid, de Russische invasie, het hakt er allemaal heel hard in, in het spaargeld, de pensioenen en in de algemene bestaanszekerheid. Dat merken mensen iedere dag door de hoge energieprijzen en de voedselprijzen. Deze inflatie in de eurozone is hardnekkig.

    Tegelijkertijd zie ik een Europese economie die niet vooruit te branden is door een tekort aan innovatie en een overschot aan detailwetgeving. U noemde het al: de barrières op de interne markt zijn nog veel te groot. Denk aan de territoriale leveringsbeperkingen waardoor onze boodschappen iedere dag te duur zijn in de supermarkten.

    Daarbij komt vergrijzing. Hoe gaan wij de zorgkosten en pensioenen financieren in de komende jaren, zeker in landen waar de pensioenen worden betaald uit de lopende begroting? Hoe houdbaar is dat op de lange termijn?

    En als klap op de vuurpijl hebben we Trump die op het punt staat om een waanzinnige handelsoorlog te ontketenen waardoor het dagelijks leven van honderden miljoenen mensen duurder kan worden. Dat zijn gewoon ordinaire Trump‑belastingen.

    In deze cocktail van onzekerheid heeft de ECB een sleutelrol om de inflatie te beteugelen en de randvoorwaarden te scheppen voor stabiele economische groei. Dat is haar oorspronkelijke mandaat. Ik zou dan ook de ECB en ook de Commissie willen oproepen om aan dat oorspronkelijke mandaat te hechten. Ook wil ik graag collega van Brug complimenteren voor het degelijke verslag dat zij hierover heeft geschreven.

    		  
       

    		 

      Matthias Ecke (S&D). – Herr Präsident! Frau Präsidentin Lagarde! Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Inflationsraten im Euro-Währungsgebiet sind gesunken, von einem Rekordhoch von 10,6 % auf nun nahe 2 %. Das ist erst einmal ein wichtiges Signal der Stabilität in Europa und eine gute Nachricht für Millionen von Menschen. Denn gerade wer ein kleines oder mittleres Einkommen hat, der musste unter der Kostenexplosion der letzten Jahre besonders leiden. Inflation ist nicht nur eine ökonomische Frage, sondern auch eine soziale Frage. Und deswegen ist es richtig, den Kampf gegen die Inflation nicht allein der EZB zu überlassen.

    Die von Olaf Scholz geführte deutsche Bundesregierung zum Beispiel hat das erkannt und hat mehr gegen steigende Preise unternommen als alle anderen Regierungen in der EU – mit Energiepreisbremsen, Entlastungspaketen und einem günstigen Deutschlandticket. Das war klug und richtig. Als Sozialdemokraten sagen wir auch deutlich: Preisstabilität ist wichtig, aber reicht allein nicht aus. Die EZB muss auch zur wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Entwicklung der EU beitragen. Umso mehr freue ich mich, dass unsere diesbezüglichen Forderungen jetzt Gehör gefunden haben und der Bericht entsprechend angepasst wurde, was den Bereich secondary mandate angeht. Mit Trumps Politik der Willkür-Zölle drohen uns nun allerdings neue Preissteigerungen und Krisen. Wir erwarten, dass die EZB ihrer Verantwortung für Europas wirtschaftliche Entwicklung auch dabei gerecht wird.

    		  
       

    		 

      Γεάδης Γεάδη (ECR). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, την τελευταία τετραετία στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση καταγράφηκαν εξαιρετικά υψηλά επίπεδα πληθωρισμού, με αποτέλεσμα να μειωθεί η αγοραστική δύναμη των σταθερών εισοδημάτων, των αποταμιεύσεων και των συντάξεων, στρεβλώνοντας την αποτελεσματική κατανομή των πόρων με αρνητικό αντίκτυπο στην οικονομική σταθερότητα. Μπορεί ο πληθωρισμός, σύμφωνα με την έκθεση να έχει υποχωρήσει, όμως οι επιπτώσεις ακόμα παραμένουν βαθιά χαραγμένες στους πολίτες.

    Παραδείγματα: πρώτον, η αύξηση των τιμών ενέργειας με αλυσιδωτές επιπτώσεις στην οικονομία. Δεύτερον, τα υψηλά επίπεδα πληθωρισμού επηρεάζουν δυσανάλογα τα νοικοκυριά με χαμηλότερα εισοδήματα, τα οποία ξοδεύουν μεγαλύτερο ποσοστό του προϋπολογισμού τους σε είδη πρώτης ανάγκης, δημιουργώντας αναπόφευκτα συνθήκες δυσπραγίας, φτώχειας και κοινωνικού αποκλεισμού.

    Ως εκ τούτου, επιβάλλεται προσοχή και καλός σχεδιασμός για το μέλλον, με πολιτικές που δεν θα θυσιάζουν τους πολίτες στον βωμό των συμφερόντων των τραπεζών, όπως το 2013 που από άλλη θέση κλέψατε τα χρήματα των καταθέσεων των Κυπρίων πολιτών. Τέλος, αναφορικά με το ψηφιακό ευρώ, υπογραμμίζω τη θέση μας ότι πρέπει να χρησιμοποιηθεί ως συμπλήρωμα του χαρτονομίσματος και σε καμία περίπτωση ως αντικατάστασή του.

    		  
       

    		 

      Kinga Kollár (PPE). – Tisztelt Elnök Úr! Örömmel olvasom az EKB-jelentésben, hogy Európa visszatért az alacsony infláció világába. Így lehetőség nyílik a kamatok csökkentésére, ami olcsóbb lakás- és vállalati hiteleket jelent.

    Ez jó hír Európának. Azonban ki kell jelenteni, hogy Magyarországon a különutas gazdaságpolitika kudarcot vallott a vásárlók kezelésében. Ennek az árát pedig az emberek fizették meg. Öt év alatt 81%-kal emelkedett az élelmiszerek ára, az inflációt csak 13%-os rekord alapkamattal sikerült valamelyest megfékezni.

    Miközben az állam évek óta rekordmagas hiány mellett működik, tollvonással töröltek kritikus állami beruházásokat. Nem jut elég forrás kórházakra, az iskolákra, az utakra és vasútfejlesztésre.

    Az Orbán-rezsim kegyeltjeinek persze továbbra is nyitva vannak az állami pénzcsapok, így jutott például méregdrága irodaházakra. És a választási költekezés még csak most fog kezdődni Magyarországon.

    Pedig a túlköltekezés hatalmas kamatteherrel párosul. Csak tavaly a kormány 4000 milliárd forintot költött kamatokra, többet mint a teljes egészségügyre.

    Ezért minden magyar ember érdekében és nevében felszólítom a magyar kormányt, hogy ne gyermekeink és unokáink terhére próbálják megtartani hatalmukat.

    Megalázó szavazatvásárlás helyett a Tisza hazahozza az uniós forrásokat, és magyarok millióival együtt épít egy modern, békés és élhető Magyarországot.

    		  
       

    		 

      Carla Tavares (S&D). – Senhor Presidente, Senhora Presidente Lagarde, Senhora Comissária Maria Luís Albuquerque, no artigo que assinou há duas semanas no Financial Times, com a Presidente Ursula von der Leyen, assegurou que está pronta para fazer tudo o que seja necessário para trazer a Europa de volta. Essa foi a atitude que salvou o euro em 2010 e evitou uma crise financeira durante a COVID. Nessas crises, o BCE soube apoiar as políticas gerais da União, tal como está escrito no seu mandato secundário. É preciso desistir dos dogmas. Não podemos combater a inflação de forma cega ou deixar que a neutralidade de mercado seja um princípio escrito na pedra. Precisamos de ação e resultados. Por exemplo, ter uma coordenação mais próxima da política monetária e orçamental da União ou usar o mandato secundário para sermos mais ambiciosos nas políticas e instrumentos monetários. O atual clima de incerteza nos Estados Unidos abre também uma oportunidade para reforçarmos a promoção internacional do euro como uma alternativa credível ao dólar e avançarmos mais rapidamente no euro digital. Como refere no seu texto no Financial Times, em que me revejo, há muito em jogo. Não podemos mais desperdiçar as nossas forças com desvantagens autoimpostas.

    		  
       

    		 

      Regina Doherty (PPE). – Mr President, Commissioner, President Lagarde, we are here today discussing the ECB annual report. At times of enormous uncertainty, following on from Canada, Mexico and China, President Trump is threatening the EU with steep new tariffs. Billions of euros of investments and thousands of jobs depend on the trade between Europe and the United States. I have heard the concerns from people and businesses in Dublin about how America may soon be closed for business.

    European Member States, including my own, have strong historic, cultural and huge economic links with the United States, and we need to do everything we can to preserve this, and ensure that EU‑US relationships remain functional. Yet there are those who would have us turn away from one of our closest historic allies. And this literally would be the definition of cutting off your own nose to spite your face.

    President Lagarde, I want to welcome your words in the Financial Times recently with President von der Leyen, where you highlighted the need for Europe to be better at helping businesses to grow and thrive. We need to see the reforms to boost competitiveness and innovation.

    I also want to welcome the work that has taken place to bring down inflation by the ECB. This is why the ECB can now reduce our interest rates, which is very welcome. But for this to continue, all the Member States must be prudent. The time for talk is over and the time for action absolutely is now.

    		  
       


    		 

      Angelika Winzig (PPE). – Herr Präsident! Frau Kommissarin! Frau Präsidentin Lagarde! Krieg, Energiekrise, unzuverlässige Lieferketten und steigende Lebensmittelpreise haben in den letzten drei Jahren für die Europäerinnen und Europäer zu einem massiven Kaufkraftverlust geführt. Und eines darf man auch nicht außer Acht lassen: Sie haben in einigen Mitgliedstaaten auch zu politischen Veränderungen geführt.

    Während die US-Notenbank frühzeitig gehandelt hat, hatte man den Eindruck, die EZB hat zu lange gezögert – mit spürbaren Folgen für die europäische Wirtschaft und für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger. Eine Währung ist nur so stark wie die Wirtschaft, die hinter ihr steht. Daher muss Europa seine Wettbewerbsfähigkeit steigern, um den Euro langfristig abzusichern. Weniger Bürokratie, mehr Innovationen, gezielte Investitionen für Wirtschaft und Banken braucht es jetzt dringend, um nachhaltiges Wachstum zu sichern.

    Auch Sie, Frau Präsidentin, werden dazu einen entscheidenden Beitrag leisten. Nur mit echten Reformen sichern wir Europas wirtschaftliche Zukunft und sorgen dafür, dass Wohlstand nicht nur ein Versprechen bleibt, sondern für alle Europäerinnen und Europäer auch spürbar ist.

    		  
       



       

    Interventions à la demande

    		  
       

    		 

      Maria Grapini (S&D). – Domnule președinte, doamnă comisară, doamna Lagarde, am văzut că ați fost felicitată de colegi și am fost foarte atentă la ce ați spus dumneavoastră. Între altele, ați criticat gospodăriile că nu cheltuie mai mult. Doamna Lagarde, știți câți oameni sunt în sărăcie? Cum să cheltuiască mai mult când nu știu ce se întâmplă, când n-au suficienți bani, decât să-și plătească lumina, curentul?

    Din punctul meu de vedere, BCE n-a făcut cât ar trebui să facă, din punctul de vedere al politicii monetare, din punctul de vedere al presiunii care e suportată de cei mai săraci, de fapt, inflația, dobânzile. Știți cât e dobânda în țara mea, în România? Cum? IMM-urile sunt spulberate.

    Deci, din punctul meu de vedere, dumneavoastră sunteți responsabili. Ați spus că veniți la întâlniri cu noi. Foarte bine, dar aveți niște specialiști pe salarii foarte mari acolo. Ei trebuie să facă politica monetară. Ei trebuie să ne asigure existența și rezistența în piața internă a economiei, până la urmă, pentru a putea să fim în competiție globală.

    		  
       

    		 

      Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D). – Posėdžio pirmininke, gerbiama Europos Centrinio Banko pirmininke ponia Lagarde, komisare. Suprantama, didelis pasiekimas, kad suvaldyta infliacija, be galo didelis pasiekimas, kad garantuotas euro stabilumas. Be galo svarbu toliau atkreipti mums visiems dėmesį į be galo sudėtingą tarptautinę aplinką. Jungtinių Amerikos Valstijų dabartinė administracija grasins tarifais. Komisija Jean’o-Claude’o Junkerio laikais jau turėjome patirtį, kaip atremti Trumpo tarifų karą. Dabar taip pat reikia galvoti apie tai. Reikia būtinai galvoti apie kuo didesnes pastangas kurti bankų sąjungą Europos Sąjungoje. Priešingu atveju mes labai nesuvaldysime bankų nesąžiningos veiklos. Reikia paskatinti skaitmeninio euro įvedimą, ir tai reikia daryti ypatingai greitai, nes šiuo atveju mes turime atremti mums gresiančias tikrai tarifų karų, kainų karų situacijas. O tuo tarpu bendros pastangos Europos Centrinio Banko ir nacionalinių bankų turi būti stiprinamos.

    		  
       


    		 

      Siegbert Frank Droese (ESN). – Herr Präsident! Madame Lagarde, ich hatte Ihrem Bericht gelauscht, und ich muss ehrlich sagen, ich hatte Mühe, nicht einzuschlafen.

    Wenn wir zu unserem wichtigsten Partner, den USA, schauen: Dort gibt es Aufbruch, dort wird aufgeräumt, dort wird gerade das goldene Zeitalter ausgerufen. Die USA bereiten gerade ihren Platz in der neuen Welt des 21. Jahrhunderts. Lagardes Bericht fehlt jede positive Vision für die Zukunft Europas: kein Wort zum Ende des Green Deals durch Donald Trump, kein Wort dazu, dass BlackRock, Vanguard – große Investoren – in Zukunft nicht mehr in grünen Klimairrsinn investieren werden.

    Ein bisschen Resilienzgedöns, ein bisschen Digitalisierungsblabla und Wettbewerbsappelle sind zu wenig. Madame Lagardes Rede war blutleer und hoffnungslos. Es kann einem damit nur angst und bange werden um die Zukunft Europas.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Herr Präsident! Liebe Menschen Europas, heute haben wir hier über die Europäische Zentralbank gesprochen. Und ja, auch im Namen der Partei des Fortschritts muss ich sagen: Kritik ist berechtigt. Die EZB beeinflusst das Leben von Millionen von Menschen und muss sich auch solch einer Debatte stellen. Aber während ich hier aus der politischen Mitte dieses Hauses von den Moderaten konstruktive Vorschläge wahrgenommen habe, höre ich von den Extremen, die EZB sei voreingenommen, politisch motiviert gesteuert. Diese Behauptung ist nicht nur falsch, sie ist gefährlich. Aber diese Rhetorik passt ja zu Ihnen: Ja, alle sind miteinander verschworen, wollen es dem kleinen Mann schwer machen und erlauben sich auch noch, das Klima retten zu wollen.

    Ich sage Ihnen: Wer seine ganze Politik darauf aufbaut, das Vertrauen in die demokratischen Institutionen zu untergraben, ist kein Demokrat. Frau Lagarde, ich habe 26 meiner 27 Lebensjahre mit der EZB gelebt. Sie wissen, da ist immer noch Luft nach oben. Aber weiter so!

    		  
       

       

    (Fin des interventions à la demande)

    		  
       

    		 

      Maria Luís Albuquerque, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, I am pleased to see that there is a significant convergence in the views of our three institutions on many aspects of the report. As already mentioned in my introductory remarks, the EU has high ambitions and urgently needs to regain competitiveness. This requires massive investments and, hence, financing.

    Open, deeper and more integrated capital markets will be key to improve the competitiveness of the EU economy. This is why we will present a savings and investments union strategy in the coming weeks. The savings and investments union will leverage the enormous wealth of European savers to create growth in Europe. Fundamentally, greater liquidity pools and the EU markets operating at a greater scale are absolutely necessary if we want to see stronger economic growth, compete internationally and finance our political ambitions. There is simply no other way.

    As a last point, let me also recall the importance of making progress on the digital euro, given the challenges we face in terms of innovation and global competition. Today, Europeans increasingly pay digitally, and this trend will continue, reflecting the digitalisation of our societies. But, at this moment, we don’t have a European offer that allows for digital payments across the EU and for all the use cases. In fact, Europeans mainly rely on a few non-European providers, as was mentioned here today.

    The Commission stands ready to support efforts to accelerate the negotiations. It is equally important to progress on the proposal for the legal tender of cash. These regulations will safeguard the acceptance and availability of cash for our citizens. Also here, the Commission stands ready to support the ongoing discussions on this, so that we can make swift progress.

    		  
       

    		 

      Christine Lagarde, Présidente de la Banque centrale européenne. – Madame la Commissaire, en ayant pris note de vos observations…

    Let me now move back to English, but I thought a little bit of French would not hurt, because you are still around, Mr Vice-President, although you’re leaving – that’s okay.

    So let me tackle three points that I would like to address in response to your many, many questions, and with gratitude for some of your candid points, some of your documented points, but certainly some that you have expressed with great passion. And I’m very attentive and very sensitive to it.

    Let me just make a few points about the mandate under which we operate, so a little bit about how we took the fight against inflation and finished with the digital euro – and I think that I will have tried to focus on those areas where you have really yourself tried to target your questions.

    So, on my first point, I am constantly reminded of the mandate that we have under Article 127 of the Treaty we know – at the European Central Bank at all levels of the institution – that our primary objective is price stability. There is no debate about that. We also know that there is a second paragraph, which refers to secondary objectives, which have to do with your economic objectives and how we can support those objectives. But this second article is very specific and starts with ‘without prejudice to price stability’. So it goes without saying that price stability is the driving force, and that alternative options have to be without prejudice to that driving force of our action. Price stability is what is guiding us.

    Now, I would like to just mention, because this has been also raised and many of you have actually raised it, this issue of market neutrality. And you, Madam rapporteur, focused some of the remarks and some of the points in the resolution on this aspect, and I am delighted that you could reach a consensus as to exactly what the report would say.

    But I just want to mention the fact that market neutrality has not always been absorbed invariably, and there have been moments in the history of the ECB, prior to my time, when market neutrality was derived from because it was necessary and appropriate in order to deliver on price stability. What we are doing when we pay attention in particular to the externality of the risk of climate change, is that we are looking after and securing the balance sheet of the ECB to make sure that the risks, which are not otherwise reflected by market mechanisms, can actually be embedded into our management of the portfolio. Now, this, in many ways, is a story of the past because, as you know, we are no longer in the business of purchasing assets and in particular not purchasing corporate assets anymore.

    A few points about the fight against inflation, because many of you have actually mentioned this – one of you actually said that we had done a good job and, you know, those are moments when you enjoy the minute and a half that was given to I think it was Mr Navarrete, who actually said that he was satisfied with the work that we had done. And yes, we did take the fight against inflation and, as your resolution report indicates, we could have started earlier. We started effectively signalling that we were going to take action in December 2021 and then we took very vigorous action by actually raising interest rates by 450 basis points in a fast, robust way, and more so than any time before. And we have now seen the result of it. One of you mentioned that we went from a high of 10.6 % in October 2022, which was the highest reading that we had on an average basis, not on a per country basis, I know, because some Member States have much higher and have had much higher inflation, but on average we went from that 10.6 % in October 2022 to 2.5 % now in January. So I’m not saying that the fight is over because we need to get to the target that we have, but we have closed the gap significantly by taking robust and rapid measures.

    And you cannot compare one central bank to the other. The circumstances are different. The fundamentals of the economy are different. The rates of inflation suffered by different countries are different. And the tools that are available are different as well. But, you know, I don’t take huge satisfaction about what we have done, but I think that for all European compatriots, certainly there has been a difference. Does it mean to say that prices have gone down? No. And the level of prices is something that is very different from inflation. Prices have gone up, their level has stayed high. And the inflation that we are now trying to keep under control, hopefully at 2 % in the course of 2025, that is the measure by which the level continues to go up in a relatively modest way and the one that we have defined as our price stability objectives.

    Let me now touch on a point that many of you have addressed, and that is the issue of the digital euro. Let me preface that with the fact that the digital euro is not intended to replace cash – absolutely not. Cash is around, will be around, no question about it. So much so that we are currently – as you may have seen – working on the new face of our European banknotes so that the euro will have a more relatable aspect to it, so that a European – and non-European for that matter – using the euro will actually appreciate the aspects that embody Europe, whether it is by way of reference to culture or by way of reference to nature. The jury is still out as to what it will end up being, but certainly cash will be around.

    Some of you have mentioned that the digital euro is a tool of our European sovereignty, and I would beg you to keep that in the back of your mind when you have that debate in Parliament. Many of you have called for that debate. I heard honourable Member of Parliament Ferber mention that. I have heard an honourable Member Navarrete referring to the debate and calling for it, actually. I have heard many other Members ask for that debate to take place. So please, as quickly as is possible, let us have that debate, because the digital euro is a necessary tool of this sovereignty. It’s not the only one. It needs to operate at retail level, at wholesale level, and it needs to be combined so that we have solidity of payment infrastructure, as well as the tools that will enable us to effect payment on a cross-border basis.

    The issues that have been referred to as issues to be debated – financial stability, innovation, privacy, threshold – all of that needs to be debated. Do not assume that it is something that the European Central Bank will decide from the main building sitting on the River of Main in Frankfurt. No, we are waiting for you and the ball is in your camp. I very much hope that the honourable rapporteur will actually mandate as many of goodwill around the table as possible in order to move that debate. I would very much dislike to see myself in this position in a year’s time, still arguing that the digital euro is an instrument of our sovereignty. A lot of things are going to happen between now and a year from now. We should not underestimate the geopolitical movements, fractures, cracks and divides that we might be seeing in the future.

    For that, we should be equipped with the digital currency that will help the defence of our sovereignty – and I turn to you who didn’t find me very passionate about the future, but you’re not listening to me really. Doesn’t matter. I passionately believe that we have, internally in Europe, barriers that we have imposed upon ourselves that we can remove, whether it is in the goods circulation equivalent of 40 % custom duties that we impose on ourselves, as opposed to 15 % inside the United States, or 110 % equivalent of custom duties that we impose on ourselves on services. We have the tools at hand to be more productive, which will lead to better competitiveness. So I’m very passionate about that. But my real passion is to deliver on our mandate, which is price stability for all our citizens.

    		  
       

       

    IN THE CHAIR: SOPHIE WILMÈS
    Vice-President

    		  
       

    		 

      Anouk Van Brug, rapporteur. – Voorzitter, vandaag spreekt de Europese politiek met een duidelijke stem. De ECB toont een sterke ambitie op het gebied van klimaatverandering, maar lijkt de impact van geopolitieke spanningen op inflatie te onderschatten. Wij roepen u daarom op: neem geopolitiek serieus.

    De wereld verandert snel. Oorlog en conflict hebben de afgelopen jaren keer op keer laten zien hoe ze inflatie kunnen aanwakkeren en onze economie kunnen ontwrichten. De energiecrisis die volgde op de Russische invasie in Oekraïne was geen incident, maar een waarschuwing. Geopolitieke instabiliteit zal de komende jaren een grote rol blijven spelen in de economie.

    Daarom is het essentieel dat de ECB scenario’s ontwikkelt en voorbereid is op toekomstige crises. Want wanneer je hard werkt in Nederland, moet je leuk kunnen leven en je geen zorgen hoeven maken over een nieuwe rekening of een wasmachine die kapotgaat. Het is tijd om de geldzorgen van de mensen thuis serieus te nemen. Dit is mogelijk wanneer de ECB geopolitieke risico’s serieus neemt, maar ook haar eigen rol scherp bewaakt.

    Echte onafhankelijkheid betekent: geen politiek bedrijven. De ECB heeft één taak: prijsstabiliteit handhaven. Dit vereist strikt marktneutraal beleid zonder dat de ECB politieke keuzes maakt in haar opkoopprogramma’s en andere instrumenten. De ECB mag zich niet laten leiden door politieke druk of ideologische agenda’s — dat ondermijnt haar geloofwaardigheid en effectiviteit.

    Wij vragen u dan ook: behoud de neutrale rol van de ECB. Laat de financiële markten functioneren zonder onnodige verstoringen en zorg ervoor dat de ECB onafhankelijk blijft in daden, niet alleen in naam. Alleen zo kunnen we inflatie effectief bestrijden en de koopkracht van ons allemaal beschermen.

    		  
       

    		 

      President. – The debate is closed.

    The vote will be held tomorrow.

    		  

    14. Escalation of gang violence in Sweden and strengthening the fight against organised crime (debate)


    		 

      Maria Luís Albuquerque, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, the horrendous attack in Örebro – one of the worst attacks in Swedish history – has shocked as all to the core. And I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones. Such attacks have no place in Europe.

    The first thing European citizens expect from us is protection. That is also true when it comes to the topic of today’s debate: gang violence. Gang violence is not only a big threat to life and security; it is a huge threat to democracy and society too, and it is part of the bigger structures of organised crime infiltrating our legal economies and processes.

    As outlined by President von der Leyen at the beginning of this mandate, there can be no hiding place for organised crime in Europe, either offline or online. The threat to our internal security by organised crime networks is unprecedented and increasingly visible. And it is not only an impression that we get following the news – the figures speak for themselves. Last year, Europol identified 821 high-risk criminal networks active in the EU. Nearly 90 % of them have infiltrated the legal economy, running businesses, investing in real estate. They are strong and operate freely across borders, including online. They are active in drug trafficking, fraud, property crime, migrant smuggling, and trafficking in human beings. To avoid prosecution, these groups are increasingly recruiting young people to perpetrate even violent crimes.

    Most of this violence is directly linked to organised crime and drug trafficking. Drug-related violence has spread from secluded port areas to the streets of Swedish cities, as criminal organisations fight for control over distribution networks. Innocent bystanders are often caught in this violence, underscoring the urgency of action.

    We see similar patterns across Europe: drug markets in Brussel’s streets, gang wars in Germany and France, threats to port workers in the Netherlands, drug-related killings in Spain and the Western Balkans. This is a global phenomenon that needs to be tackled through stronger cross-border cooperation within the EU and with third countries. Drugs are now Europe’s most lucrative criminal market, worth EUR 31 billion annually, and 70 % of organised crime groups use corruption to enable their crimes.

    The Commission will put forward an EU strategy against corruption. Money is the lifeblood that drives and sustains all these criminal activities. Our response to organised crime must be clear: disrupt their finances, take down their bankers and brokers, tackle the infiltration in the legal economy and disrupt their corrupt networks.

    Since last spring, we have new confiscation rules to eliminate the profits of criminal groups. We need to follow the money to get to those who are behind the crimes. Any investigation should pursue arrests and asset recovery as two sides of the same coin. With Eurojust we need to enhance judicial cooperation within the Union and beyond its borders. The rapid transposition of the new Asset Recovery Directive will provide stronger tools to confiscate illicit profits. It will also strengthen the asset recovery offices to identify, trace and freeze criminal assets.

    The Commission will step up the fight against serious and organised crime with the forthcoming European internal security strategy. The strategy will cover all forms of organised crime online and offline. We plan to involve all stakeholders in a ‘whole of society’ approach to be more effective in dismantling high-risk criminal networks and their ringleaders. We will propose to revise the rules to fight organised crime, starting with an updated definition of ‘organised crime’ and strong investigative tools. The strategy will build on the serious and organised crime threat assessment that Europol will present in the spring. We will enhance Europol support to Member State investigations, especially in areas where the authorities need it the most. We will strengthen Frontex to ensure it can protect our borders in all circumstances.

    As regards the online dimension, online service providers have a duty to protect their users online. We will continue to strongly enforce the Digital Services Act, which establishes effective measures for tackling illegal content and mitigating societal risks online. And we will continue to step up our efforts in disrupting the recruitment of young people online by organised criminal gangs. Next year we will also set out the framework for an EU critical communication system to strengthen internal security and preparedness.

    We know that many of the threats to our internal security originate from outside the EU. Security within the Union cannot be achieved without targeted and comprehensive external action through third country partnerships that also benefit our security. The strategy will also address cross-cutting security challenges and hybrid threats such as border management, the weaponisation of migration, and countering sabotage and espionage.

    Honourable Members, as one of the first deliverables of the new internal security strategy, the Commission will launch a new EU action plan against firearms trafficking with more pressure on criminal markets and safeguarding the illicit market. Illicit firearms feed organised crime within the EU, and are regularly used by lone actors. The EU already has rules on the illegal possession and acquisition of firearms and rules on the legal import, export and transit of firearms. However, there are no EU rules on the definition of criminal offences and penalties on firearms-related crimes. This has to change.

    The fight against drug trafficking must also remain a top priority. For this, it is paramount to tackle the constant inflow of drugs to our continent, mainly through our ports. Over 90 million containers are processed yearly in EU ports. Only a small percentage are inspected, leaving room for criminal exploitation. Sweden, as a major maritime destination and transit country is not immune to this threat. We will build on the work set out in the EU roadmap and the EU Ports Alliance to dismantle criminal business models and to shut down supply routes. Currently, 33 ports, including Helsingborg, Gothenburg and Stockholm are members, and the list is growing.

    The challenges facing the Union are increasingly complex, interconnected and transnational. This means that we need to approach security in an integrated way, taking all relevant threats, including hybrid ones, into consideration. Internal security is our shared responsibility, and we want the forthcoming strategy to be also the Parliament’s strategy. We count on your cooperation to make rapid progress on our common agenda.

    		  
       


    		 

      Evin Incir, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, politics must join forces across party lines to break the cycle of violence. This painful reality is the reason why I decided to engage in politics 25 years ago. Since then, the situation has unfortunately only worsened. More children have become both victims and perpetrators to violence.

    Last year alone, 44 people lost their lives to shootings, and, alarmingly, the number of children under 15 suspected of involvement in murder cases surged by 200 % in comparison to the year before in Sweden. Just in the first month of this year, we witnessed 33 bombings. The perpetrators are nowadays so young that the term ‘child soldiers’ has become a buzzword. Gang violence is creeping down in age, instilling fear in our neighbourhoods and robbing children of their childhood. No one should wake up to a sound of a bomb, instead of a gentle ring of a clock. And let’s be clear – no one is born a child soldier.

    Our actions as lawmakers matter. The current Swedish right‑wing and far‑right Government looks to Denmark’s hard gang laws – like visitation zones and harsh penalties – but neglects the essential ingredient of Denmark’s success: social investments in schools and communities. A school that provides every child with the opportunity to succeed is our most powerful weapon against gang recruitment. It is also absurd that criminals in 2025 can start businesses and exploit the Swedish welfare system, while the parties in government and their supporters in Sweden Democrats are watching.

    Where is the crisis commission that we have asked for? Also, the EU has an important role in putting an end to the cross‑border gang crime, which poses a serious threat to all our Member States. According to Europol, 70 % of gangs in the EU operate in at least three countries simultaneously. I’m glad that the conservative EPP Group has woken up and realised the importance of acting, but yet they have only presented what they call ‘European security pact against organised crime’, which is more or less a copy paste of former Commissioner Ylva Johansson’s ‘EU roadmap to fight organised crime and drug trafficking’.

    Instead of creating new titles on existing measures, we social democrats demand a specific strategy against recruitment, with a coordinator working alongside European authorities such as Europol and Eurojust to prevent children and young people from falling into the claws of the gangs. Politics must unite across party lines, and so must other parts of the society, such as the social media platforms.

    We therefore need an EU anti‑organised crime law, including addressing the social media platforms responsibilities. It is unacceptable that these platforms are exploited for recruiting child soldiers. Tech giants must be held accountable. Their platforms are today’s modern streets and squares. It is about time for the society to get as organised as organised crime. The society must always be stronger than organised crime.

    		  
       

    		 

      Fabrice Leggeri, au nom du groupe PfE. – Madame la Présidente, la Suède, autrefois un modèle de sécurité en Europe, est aujourd’hui gangrenée par la violence de gangs. Fusillades en pleine rue, explosions criminelles, quartiers entiers sous l’emprise de mafias: ce chaos est le résultat direct d’années de laxisme migratoire et d’un aveuglement idéologique coupable.

    Les chiffres parlent d’eux-mêmes. En 2023, la Suède a enregistré 53 homicides liés aux guerres de gangs, un taux parmi les plus élevés d’Europe. 76 % des membres des principaux gangs sont des immigrés ou des enfants d’immigrés. Cette criminalité, alimentée par l’immigration massive et l’échec total de l’intégration, transforme des pans entiers du pays en zones de non-droit.

    Même le ministre suédois de la justice reconnaît aujourd’hui que cette violence prendra plus d’une décennie à éradiquer. Après des années de laxisme, le gouvernement suédois tente désormais de sauver les meubles en envisageant l’expulsion des criminels étrangers. Car la responsabilité de ce fiasco sécuritaire est politique.

    Il faut rappeler que c’est la famille politique d’Ylva Johansson, ancienne commissaire européenne aux affaires intérieures, qui a gouverné la Suède en appliquant cette politique d’ouverture migratoire sans contrôle. Cette même commissaire, qui expliquait, il y a encore quelques mois, que l’Europe n’a pas de problème d’immigration, porte une lourde responsabilité dans cette catastrophe sécuritaire.

    Nous devons tirer les leçons de cet échec suédois et être fermes. Ce qu’il faut à présent, c’est une impunité zéro pour les criminels étrangers et une expulsion immédiate. Il nous faut un véritable réarmement juridique et matériel des forces de l’ordre. L’Union européenne n’a plus le choix, elle doit mettre fin à l’immigration massive qui nourrit l’échec de l’intégration et alimente cette violence.

    La Suède est un avertissement. Si nous n’agissons pas maintenant, la France, par exemple, connaîtra le même destin. Ce que nous attendons aujourd’hui, c’est une Europe qui protège ses peuples, pas une Europe du chaos migratoire et du laxisme sécuritaire.

    		  
       

    		 

      Charlie Weimers, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Madam President, broken shards of glass hang like jagged teeth from a shattered window, the frame barely holds. Inside colourful children’s posters decorate the walls. A criminal threw an explosive device into a child’s bedroom. One man was injured. This isn’t fake news – this is a daily occurrence. This is last night in Sweden.

    Gang criminals have vowed in secret chats to make 2025 the worst year ever for bombings. Only Albania has more gun deaths than Sweden. Albania!

    A few years ago, Sweden’s former security chief admitted: ‘We are in a low‑intensity civil war’. Yet Swedish media still plays word games. ‘Gate explodes in Nacka’. Did the gate self-destruct? ‘Missed shooting in Växjö’: a miss because the bullet hit the wrong innocent?

    Meanwhile, the Swedish Social Democrats are criticising the tough measures that we in the liberal conservative majority in Sweden are taking against criminality, like visitation zones. Well, go have a debate with your own party that suggested that half of Stockholm was to be done a visitation zone. ‘Flip‑flop’ is what it’s called.

    Now, this is what the EU must do. Acknowledge that this is the result of uncontrolled immigration. Accept that we must secure the border. And yes, as the EPP finally has joined our stance, to limit free movement of criminals under Schengen. Act decisively to deport the illegals, fake asylum seekers and terrorist sympathisers. It must be done today. It should have been done yesterday.

    		  
       




    		 

      Alexander Sell, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Schießereien, Vergewaltigungen, Bombenterror: Wer das Ergebnis linker Politik sehen möchte, muss nach Schweden schauen – jeden Tag Bombenanschläge durch afrikanische Banden, jedes Jahr 10 000 schwedische Frauen vergewaltigt, Malmö gefährlicher als Bagdad.

    Die Gewalt in Schweden ist das Ergebnis linker Migrationspolitik. Das haben die Wähler dort begriffen und unsere Kollegen von den Schwedendemokraten in die Regierung gewählt – trotz jahrelanger Beschimpfungen durch Politik und Medien. Die Propaganda wirkt nicht mehr. Die schwedischen Wähler haben den Ernst der Lage erkannt. Aus Schaden wird man klug.

    In der Regierung setzen die Schwedendemokraten jetzt das Programm um, für das in Deutschland nur die AfD steht: Grenzkontrollen, Sachleistungen, Remigration. Und zwar in Koalition mit den Christdemokraten. Wir müssen von den Schweden lernen. Auch in Berlin, Hamburg oder Duisburg gibt es Stadtteile, die von kriminellen Banden beherrscht werden: jeden Tag zwei Gruppenvergewaltigungen, allein in Berlin zehn Messerstechereien täglich.

    Wir müssen das ändern. Wir brauchen den Mut der Schweden in deutschen Wahllokalen. Am 23. Februar gilt: Schluss mit Feigheit und Brandmauer. Es ist allerhöchste Zeit.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lena Düpont (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Frau Kommissarin! Über 70 % der kriminellen Netze arbeiten grenzüberschreitend. Sie verdingen sich in Menschenhandel, Drogenhandel, Geldwäsche – zunehmend gewaltbereiter und brutal. Sieben der zehn gefährlichsten Netzwerke in Europa – im Übrigen 55 insgesamt an der Zahl – umfassen mehrere Nationalitäten. Acht von zehn arbeiten unter dem Deckmantel legaler Unternehmen. Organisierte Kriminalität war und ist immer eine immense Gefahr für unsere Ordnung, unseren Rechtsstaat, für unsere Wirtschaft, unsere Gesellschaft.

    Genauso wie diese Netzwerke jedes Schlupfloch, jede Möglichkeit nutzen, müssen auch wir das tun. Unsere Antwort muss koordiniert, unmissverständlich und vor allen Dingen unnachgiebig sein. Entziehen wir ihnen über die Arbeit der AMLA mit der Beweislastumkehr und der Konfiszierung von Vermögen endlich die finanzielle Grundlage. Unsere Sicherheitsbehörden müssen alle verfügbaren Instrumente zur effizienten Datenanalyse und -verknüpfung an die Hand bekommen. Zoll, Polizei, Dienste, Justiz, unsere Joint Investigation Teams brauchen Zugang zu allen für sie relevanten Informationen und Datenbanken. Sie sind nicht nur integraler Bestandteil einer Sicherheitsunion, sie stehen zugleich an vorderster Stelle, um unser Leben und unser Eigentum zu schützen. Wir müssen ihnen im Gegenzug Schutz gewährleisten. Das allein wird aber nicht reichen. Mit der Internal Security Strategy, mit der Preparedness Strategy, dem Whitepaper on Defence werden wir die nächsten Schritte gehen müssen, um diese, unsere Europäische Union gegen Bedrohungen und hybride Attacken von innen und außen abzusichern. Eine widerstandsfähige Demokratie wartet nicht auf Angriffe. Sie antizipiert sie, passt sich an und antwortet entschlossen. Das und nicht weniger müssen wir leisten.

    Ein letzter Kommentar zu meinem Vorredner: Am 23.2. wird jede Stimme für die AfD in Deutschland eine verlorene Stimme sein. Es wird keine Koalition geben.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sandro Ruotolo (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nello scorso mese in Svezia c’è stata in media un’esplosione al giorno. Ma non è un caso isolato, è un campanello d’allarme per tutta l’Europa.

    Io penso che lo Stato debba intervenire prima, sottraendo i nostri ragazzi alla manovalanza del crimine, alla morte civile. Ci sono poi i social network, moltiplicatori del disagio. Pensiamo all’omicidio di Salwan Momika, famoso per aver bruciato una copia del Corano in pubblico e ucciso a gennaio durante una diretta su TikTok.

    Lo Stato deve esserci prima, l’Europa deve esserci prima della violenza e noi dobbiamo esserci prima che sia troppo tardi. Servono investimenti nelle nostre periferie economiche, sociali, culturali.

    		  
       

    		 

      András László (PfE). – Madam President, ‘that we do not have control over the wave of violence is quite obvious’. This is a quote from the Swedish Prime Minister and a damning confession. Migrant gang wars have been plaguing Sweden for years now, and bomb attacks surged to a level comparable only to failed states. Citizens are scared and outraged for a reason.

    Who is to blame? The current government’s responsibility is limited in this mess. This is the fault of left‑wing elites who allowed mass immigration and adhered to the open borders ideology of George Soros. The EU’s migration policy is madness. More and more countries refuse to apply the rules. They bring chaos, violence, death and the breakdown of rule of law.

    Even in Sweden, even if you are one of the wealthiest and most respected nations on earth: Swedes, this may happen. Swedes simply deserve better. Yet the European Commission is still looking to punish those who defend our common external borders, like my country, Hungary.

    We need zero tolerance regarding illegal immigration. We need to support all the countries that defend our external borders, and we need to remove all illegals from the EU, and we need to severely punish all violent criminals. Gang warfare in European cities is un‑European. The European Commission’s weakness on border protection is anti-European. We need to make Europe great again. We need to make European borders secure again.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nicolas Bay (ECR). – Madame la Présidente, les gangs criminels ravagent la Suède. Après des décennies d’irresponsabilité et de laxisme migratoire, la population suédoise paie aujourd’hui le prix du sang avec deux tristes records: le premier, c’est celui d’être le premier pays en termes de mortalité par arme à feu de toute l’Europe, le second, c’est d’avoir 20 % de sa population qui est étrangère, soit deux millions d’immigrés sur dix millions d’habitants.

    La Suède a récemment essayé de changer de cap sous l’impulsion de la droite conservatrice et des démocrates suédois. On a enfin un changement de cap et, désormais, on a le plus faible nombre de demandeurs d’asile depuis quarante ans en Suède. Mais, évidemment, la situation est dramatique, et la situation de la France n’est d’ailleurs pas meilleure que celle de la Suède.

    Aujourd’hui, au Parlement européen, le ministre de l’Intérieur, Bruno Retailleau, vient parler de la directive retour. La directive retour ne sera réellement utile et efficace pour les Européens, pour nos nations et pour nos peuples que si elle permet la simplification, la fluidification et la rapidité des expulsions: faire en sorte que tous ceux qui sont entrés par ruse, par effraction ou grâce au laxisme en Europe n’aient qu’une seule certitude, celle d’être tôt ou tard expulsés d’Europe, avec l’impossibilité d’y revenir.

    		  
       

    		 

      Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew). – Fru talman! Sverige skakas av det brutala gängvåldet. Barn som agerar drogkurirer, tonåringar som agerar torpeder och giriga gängledare vars hänsynslöshet och brutalitet inte har några gränser och som styr sina olagliga verksamheter utanför Sveriges gränser. Detta är sannerligen ett europeiskt problem.

    Från 1 januari till i dag har det skett 33 detonationer och sprängningar runt om i Sverige. Vi har en regering i Sverige som i valrörelsen lovade ett paradigmskifte. Vi kan tyvärr inget annat än konstatera att den nuvarande regeringens politik inte har lyckats.

    Det finns många saker som borde ha gjorts annorlunda, som borde ha gjorts tidigare. Inte minst borde politiken fokusera mer på att strypa nyrekryteringen till gängen. Vår första försvarslinje här är föräldrar, lärare, skolpersonal, socialsekreterare och fältassistenter. Det är skolan och det är vårt förebyggande arbete som kommer att avgöra om dessa gäng finns kvar i framtiden.

    Än så länge är de digitala plattformarna, där mycket av rekryteringen av dessa ungdomar sker, inte tvingade av lagen att ta bort innehåll som annonser där man rekryterar barn.

    Pratar man med tullen i Sverige så ser man ganska snabbt att de är underbemannade. De är i dag 200 personer. De skulle egentligen behöva vara 400 personer, och EU:s hamnallians har kritiserat Sverige just för detta underskott. Men i stället för att satsa mer på skolan och ge ungdomar ett alternativ, i stället för att satsa på att ha bättre tullarbete, mer personal och bättre maskiner, så har politiken kokats ner till en tävling i hårdare straff och hårdare tag mot invandrare. Migrationspolitiken är inte verktyget för att lösa gängvåldet.

    Och en fråga: Hur vet du att det är afrikanska gäng som håller på i Sverige? När var du senast i Bagdad? Vad är det här för skitsnack?

    (Talaren godtog en fråga (“blått kort”).)

    		  
       



    		 

      Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE). – Règlements de comptes, fusillades, assassinats se multiplient dans les rues européennes, de Stockholm à Bruxelles. Des scènes inimaginables qui font peur pour notre sécurité et celle de nos enfants. Le crime organisé affecte les communautés en profondeur. Il présente aussi un risque bien plus large pour nos démocraties et l’État de droit, tant par ses effets directs que par les réponses liberticides qui sont actuellement apportées.

    Aucun discours simpliste, belliciste ou xénophobe n’apportera les réponses qu’attendent légitimement nos concitoyens. Oui, nous devons être exemplaires, agir de manière coordonnée et systémique avec des moyens allant de la prévention à la répression, de nos communes à l’Union européenne.

    Poursuivons le travail de réseau ici, au niveau européen: renforçons la lutte contre la corruption en élargissant les compétences du Parquet européen. Montrons de l’ambition pour la directive anticorruption, Madame la Commissaire, et assurons des moyens, du niveau local au niveau européen. Développons également la coopération judiciaire internationale en faisant pression sur les États, comme Dubaï, qui accueillent les narcotrafiquants, en permettant aussi que soient conclus rapidement des accords de coopération entre Eurojust et les pays d’Amérique latine. Enfin, harmonisons la réponse européenne face au crime organisé par une réponse législative pénale européenne.

    		  
       

    		 

      Alvise Pérez (NI). – Señora presidenta, ¡anda!, pero si hoy toca hablar de la criminalidad récord en Suecia, ese Disneyland progresista que han convertido desde la Comisión Europea y desde el propio Gobierno en un polvorín de casi ciento cincuenta atentados terroristas en solo diez años.

    Antes este país exportaba muebles y pop depresivos y ahora exporta bombas terroristas y narcotraficantes, algunos a mi país, a España. ¡Qué cosas! Aunque en realidad no mintieron a nadie, nos vendieron el cuento de la integración, de la convivencia y de la prosperidad, y lo han cumplido: integración del crimen, convivencia con el miedo y prosperidad para las mafias y para algunos políticos que se aprovechan de eso. Pero, bueno, no hay problema, porque en Suecia —lo han anunciado hace poco— han encontrado la solución mágica, que es pagar hasta treinta mil euros a los inmigrantes para que se larguen de su país. Es decir, primero los trajeron a Europa con cheques y ayudas, luego les concedieron barrios enteros y ahora les pagan para irse. Suecia, más que un país, parece una agencia de viajes para criminales. ¿El siguiente paso cuál es? ¿Repartir vales de avión para la vuelta a Kabul? ¿Un todo incluido en Somalia con dinero de los europeos?

    Y mientras tanto la Unión Europea sigue con su plan maestro, que es importar más problemas, prohibir que se hable de ellos y subvencionar a las ONG que los alimentan. Esta no es la Europa que a los españoles nos prometieron y no queremos formar parte de ella.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ana Miguel Pedro (PPE). – Senhora Presidente, Senhora Comissária, de Estocolmo a Paris, de Berlim a Bruxelas, assistimos à ascensão de cartéis de crime organizado que operam como verdadeiros grupos terroristas. E, perante isto, a Europa tem sido, demasiadas vezes, lenta e hesitante. A liberdade de circulação, um dos pilares fundamentais da União Europeia, tem sido instrumentalizada para facilitar o tráfico de seres humanos, narcotráfico, contrabando e lavagem de dinheiro. Sabemos que mais de 70 % das redes criminosas operam além-fronteiras e que sete em cada dez das mais perigosas envolvem cidadãos de múltiplas nacionalidades. Em primeiro lugar, estas organizações devem ser reconhecidas como uma ameaça direta à segurança nacional e combatidas com as mesmas medidas aplicadas ao terrorismo. Segundo, precisamos de reforçar a cooperação europeia. O crime não conhece fronteiras, e a nossa resposta também não pode conhecer. Nenhum criminoso pode encontrar refúgio apenas porque mudou de país. Defendemos o alargamento de poderes para a confiscação de ativos e a restrição da circulação de grupos criminosos, incluindo a imposição de proibições de entrada e limitações para cidadãos condenados por crimes graves. É igualmente urgente reforçar o mandado de detenção europeu e reforçar o combate ao tráfico ilegal de armas que alimenta esta escalada de violência. A Europa assenta na liberdade e no Estado de direito. Sem segurança, a liberdade é apenas um conceito vazio, esmagado pelo medo e pela violência. Não podemos aceitar que a nossa resposta seja tímida quando os criminosos agem sem medo.

    (A oradora aceita responder a uma pergunta «cartão azul»)

    		  
       



    		 

      Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señora presidenta, debatimos en esta sesión plenaria el incremento de la criminalidad organizada en Suecia, pero, en realidad, estamos hablando de un síndrome que recorre toda Europa: en primer lugar, la criminalidad organizada es la criminalidad de nuestro tiempo. En segundo lugar, sube el número de adolescentes —menores de edad— en la comisión de esos delitos, reclutados por las mafias. Y, en tercer lugar, la técnica de reclutamiento consiste en Instagram y en las redes sociales.

    No está pasando eso en todos los Estados miembros de la Unión Europea, no cabe ninguna demagogia —como la que utilizó, por cierto, la derecha contra el Gobierno socialdemócrata sueco— cuando lo cierto es que, bajo el Gobierno de la derecha sueca apoyado por la extrema derecha, esa criminalidad no ha hecho sino incrementarse.

    Por tanto, la receta está a la vista: el incremento de la cooperación policial y judicial especializada. En segundo lugar, aprovechar todo el caudal de experiencia de Eurojust y de Europol para confiscar no solamente las armas de fuego, sino también los beneficios ilícitamente obtenidos y su blanqueo. Y, en tercer lugar, la especialización digital en la lucha contra esta criminalidad: pruebas digitales y, por tanto, incremento de la tecnología en la eficacia contra el delito.

    Y —no puedo evitar mencionarlo— hay que combatir también la segregación, la exclusión de la que proviene la desigualdad, de la que proviene el incremento de la criminalidad.

    		  
       

    		 

      Mathilde Androuët (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, la Suède, autrefois l’un des pays les plus sûrs d’Europe, est aujourd’hui ravagée par la violence des gangs issus de l’immigration. En 2023, la Suède a recensé 363 fusillades liées à des règlements de comptes, causant 53 morts. Le taux d’homicides par arme à feu y atteint quatre tués par million d’habitants, contre 1,6 en moyenne en Europe. Aucun autre pays du continent européen n’a connu une hausse aussi vertigineuse. De la violence criminelle, fusillades, attentats à l’explosif, corruption, fraude sociale et proxénétisme, toute la panoplie du crime est assurée avec des exécutants recrutés parfois dès l’âge de douze ans.

    Les autorités suédoises l’admettent elles-mêmes: cette explosion criminelle est le fruit de décennies d’aveuglement migratoire et de communautarisme majoritairement islamiste. En vingt ans, la population étrangère est passée de 2 % à 15 %. Un bouleversement qui a favorisé la montée de bandes ethniques comme Foxtrot, Asir ou le réseau syrien, gangrenant jusqu’aux tribunaux et étendant leur menace jusqu’au Danemark, la Norvège ou la Finlande. Une situation comparable à bien d’autres pays européens, dont la France avec sa DZ mafia, où la loi du crime remplace la loi du droit et de la justice.

    Face à cette menace, la Suède amorce enfin un tournant avec l’expulsion de criminels étrangers, la déchéance de nationalité pour les délinquants binationaux ou encore le durcissement de l’asile.

    L’Europe doit prendre exemple de ce réveil politique post-traumatique. Appliquons un contrôle strict des frontières nationales comme européennes, ayons une double frontière, et amorçons la fin du laxisme généralisé, la tolérance zéro face à la délinquance. Ne laissons plus les mafias s’emparer des institutions, de vies humaines. Agissons avant qu’il ne soit trop tard.

    (L’oratrice accepte une question carton bleu)

    		  
       


    		 

      Mathilde Androuët (PfE), réponse carton bleu. – Je suis quelque peu désarçonnée par votre réponse politique qui consiste donc à investir dans les écoles, ce qui est une réalité éducative, mais qui n’enraiera aucunement la violence importée. Parce que je pense qu’on parle d’un des pays où le niveau d’investissement et de soins apportés à la croissance des enfants est important – c’est le cas, je pense, en Suède. En l’occurrence, tous les chiffres parlent d’eux-mêmes et montrent – pas uniquement en Suède d’ailleurs, mais partout en Europe – que, oui, cette violence est largement importée, ne vous en déplaise. Je sais.

    		  
       

    		 

      Paolo Inselvini (ECR). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, qualcuno evidentemente ha bisogno di occhiali nuovi, perché ciò che sta accadendo in Svezia, come ciò che sta accadendo nelle città di tutta Europa, ha reso chiaro come le lenti ad alta gradazione ideologica della sinistra facciano vedere una realtà che non esiste.

    La realtà è che le gang, le violenze, gli stupri e lo spaccio di droga sono ormai all’ordine del giorno in tutta Europa, e questo a causa del perbenismo, del buonismo e dell’immigrazionismo della sinistra.

    È arrivato il momento, quindi, di mettersi gli occhiali della verità. Bisogna bloccare l’immigrazione incontrollata, combattere ogni droga e sostenere le forze dell’ordine, una strada, infatti, che il governo Meloni in Italia sta cercando di seguire da tempo.

    Infatti, tutti gli europei chiedono la libertà di poter vivere le proprie città, la libertà di essere sicuri.

    		  
       

    		 

      Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew). – Madam President, Madam Commissioner, let me begin by expressing my deepest condolences with the families and friends of the shooting in Sweden and, of course, to the Swedish people as a whole.

    The far right of this Chamber has only one solution for fighting organised crime: let’s close our borders and take back our country. But here comes a reality check. Criminals are laughing at your obsession with closing borders. For them, it’s just a line. It’s the point where they can shake off the national police. They operate extremely efficiently across borders, using bribes, laundering money through your beloved cryptocurrency, trafficking in weapons and recruiting new – very often very young – members for their gangs.

    Stop misleading Europeans with your naive idea of sovereignty and invest instead in our EU police and justice cooperation. At the beginning of the 20th century, when the American government was fighting their own criminal gangs, the Mafia, they tried closing state borders in and demonising migrants. You know, Mr Inselvini, those Italians, they were really bad. And to the colleagues from PiS: the Poles? Very bad. No good.

    Well, that did not work. But you know what worked? Founding the FBI. That did the trick. What Europe needs is a truly operational Europol. A European FBI with reinforced means, with oversight and with accountability. Also, Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office urgently need more competences, as they have shown to be extremely effective and instrumental in fighting organised crime.

    Commission, absent Council, step up to the challenge. Give our common security the priority it needs. And to my colleagues, if you are really serious about fighting crime, then you will support every single effort in this House at European level. And if you’re not, then you’re just interested in creating clickbait for your socials and I suggest you sit this one out.

    (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

    		  
       




    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Madam President, the people of Europe, the title of this debate is, in my humble opinion, all wrong. As many colleagues have pointed out, the problem that we are facing is not a Swedish one – it is European, with a strong worldwide aspect to it.

    Just last week, the Ambassador of Ecuador told us that it’s the Albanian mafia being in control of the cocaine shipping out of the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador. Albanian mafia in Ecuador. Let that sink in for a moment. It is always drug-trafficking gangs that enact the worst violence, and these gangs do not fight about the market of Sweden, of Italy or of Luxembourg – they fight about Europe. And so there can only be a European solution.

    We need to strengthen Europol and let it take over some responsibilities from the national police forces. We need to expand funding for the European Union Drugs Agency, and we need to legalise or criminalise the same drugs in the same countries all over Europe. Only if we start tackling this European issue as such, we will stand a chance.

    		  
       

    		 

      Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE). – Fru talman! “Låt oss spränga och skjuta, grabbar!” “Vi gör 2025 till historiens bästa med sprängningar!” Det skriver gängkriminella i kanaler där morduppdrag läggs ut på entreprenad till köande barnsoldater. Under 28 januaridagar utsattes Sverige för 32 sprängningar, utöver de 18 skjutningarna som också ägde rum.

    Det som nu sker saknar motstycke i västvärlden, och det liknar närmast ett inbördeskrig som ingjuter skräck och skadar tilliten till staten och mellan människor. Friheten för den skötsamma majoriteten kan bara återerövras genom att den kringskärs för den kriminella minoriteten. EPP-gruppens Stockholmsdeklaration pekar ut vägen: stärk Frontex, Europol och den europeiska åklagarmyndigheten. Skärp penningtvättslagstiftningen och underlätta möjligheten att beslagta kriminellas tillgångar. Begränsa, också preventivt, den fria rörligheten för gängmedlemmar.

    Gängkriminaliteten har inte uppstått i ett vakuum. Den är konsekvensen av politiskt pådrivna samhällsförändringar, oftast från vänster, av värderingskonflikter och kravlös integrationspolitik. Det är politikens uppgift att vid sidan av repressiva åtgärder adressera att varje samhälle behöver en grundläggande uppsättning värderingar, ett etiskt minimum. Dessa grundläggande, icke valbara, värderingar är förutsättningen för att människor ska vilja, och välja att, skapa – i stället för att spränga – det samhälle som de har fått till låns. Den som drivs av andra ambitioner har inget i Sverige att göra.

    		  
       

    		 

      Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, doamnă comisară, stimați colegi, discutăm un lucru trist și nu e prima dată. Vreau să transmit condoleanțe celor care și-au pierdut copiii, nu numai în Suedia. Să ne amintim ce a fost de Crăciun în Germania, ce a fost recent în Bruxelles. Doamnă comisară, cred că trebuie să ne asumăm să spunem adevărul: nu s-a gestionat bine democrația. Democrația nu înseamnă să renunțăm la securitate. Din contră, cred că securitatea trebuie să sporească.

    Atunci, haideți să vedem ce facem, pentru că sunt state care au legiferat, de exemplu, consumul de droguri. Toate au legătură: drogurile, armele. Am reglementat aici regimul armelor. Și? Ce s-a întâmplat? Toată lumea are armă acasă, toată lumea scoate arma și trage în copii, la școală sau pe stradă. Deci, dacă nu ne asumăm să schimbăm regulile – democrația nu înseamnă haos, democrația înseamnă ordine, democrația înseamnă și responsabilități, nu numai drepturi.

    Nu avem curajul să spunem acest lucru, de teamă să nu ne spună cumva cetățenii că, vezi Doamne, nu suntem democratici. Eu așa înțeleg democrația: să sporească securitatea, dreptul omului de a fi singur în casa lui, pe stradă, în orașul lui.

    		  
       

    		 

      Pascale Piera (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, une criminalité organisée hors de contrôle, des fusillades, du racket, des activités criminelles en tout genre, partout, sans qu’aucune part du territoire ne soit désormais épargnée. C’est une véritable descente aux enfers pour la Suède, alors que la moyenne européenne des tués par balle est de 1,6 par million d’habitants, elle est de quatre tués en Suède. 363 fusillades en 2023, dix morts en une seule fusillade, il y a six jours.

    Le Premier ministre suédois a le courage de regarder les choses en face. Cette situation est la lourde rançon que paie la Suède à une politique d’ouverture migratoire irresponsable.

    Aujourd’hui, c’est 200 gangs issus de l’immigration qui font la loi, de l’Afrique subsaharienne, des Turcs, des Kurdes, un réseau syrien, partout c’est la loi de la mafia qui s’installe, s’introduisant dans toutes les sphères de la société. Les méthodes de recrutement sont vertigineuses: les garçons de 15 à 20 ans cherchent eux-mêmes des mineurs de 12 à 15 ans, les filles sont séduites avant d’être prostituées. Il est temps de regarder les choses en face.

    Ces vingt dernières années, la Suède a vu la part de sa population non occidentale passer de 2 % à 15 %. Voici le fruit d’une politique migratoire aveugle et pour finir criminelle.

    Le gouvernement suédois se donne dix ans pour gagner la bataille. Et nous, en France ou ailleurs, partout où la criminalité est omniprésente, où en serons-nous dans dix ans?

    		  
       

    		 

      Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR). – Szanowni Państwo! Kiedy w 2015 roku Angela Merkel włączała piąty bieg w ramach realizacji tej idiotycznej polityki multi-kulti, ogłaszając Herzlich Willkommen i otwierając szeroko granice europejskie, ówczesny lider opozycji w Polsce, szef mojej partii Jarosław Kaczyński przestrzegał Europę, odwołując się do przykładów właśnie w Sztokholmie, kiedy powiedział o ponad 50 strefach szariatu, do których to stref nie ma wejścia szwedzka policja i szwedzkie prawo, rozległ się krzyk od Sztokholmu, bo interweniował ówczesny ambasador Szwecji w Polsce, przez Strasburg po Brukselę. A nieodrodny uczeń Angeli Merkel, ówczesny szef Rady Europejskiej Donald Tusk straszył tych, którzy nie będą przyjmować nielegalnych imigrantów karami.

    Proszę państwa, dzisiaj wszyscy jesteśmy z ofiarami tych zbrodni, jesteśmy z obywatelami Szwecji. Chcemy, aby nasze dzieci bezpiecznie wracały ze szkół do swoich domów. Ale nie wygramy z tym przestępstwem, jeżeli będziemy nadal sparaliżowani polityczną poprawnością i strachem przed nazywaniem rzeczy po imieniu. Nawet w tym, co powiedziała Pani Komisarz, nie sposób się z nią nie zgodzić, tak, wzmacniajmy prawo. Ale co zrobiliśmy z policją? Pamiętacie obrazki brytyjskich policjantów klękających przed osiłkami, którzy dewastowali ulice Londynu? Zwolniliście szefa Frontexu za to, że wspierał rząd polski przed wpuszczaniem nielegalnych imigrantów do Polski. Hipokryci o was powiedzieć to mało.

    		  
       

    		 

      Loránt Vincze (PPE). – Madam President, Commissioner, reality cannot be ignored anymore. From France, all the way up to Sweden, there are more and more terrorist street shootings linked to drug and human trafficking and gang-related assassinations. More and more innocent victims and ruined lives. These are criminal acts, predominantly involving individuals and groups with a migration background.

    How did we get there? We know the answer: the pretence that cultural differences are irrelevant, the illusion of an inclusive society, procedures granting fast track citizenship, the tolerance of illegal migration.

    In reality, tens of thousands of second-generation EU citizens of migrant backgrounds have become socially marginalised and pushed to the periphery. From there, for many of them, it was only a short step towards religious radicalisation or organised crime.

    We do not have years to correct the mistakes of past decades. The safety of citizens in Sweden, in Belgium, in France must be ensured today. Law enforcement must be strengthened both in numbers and weaponry. Investigative procedures must be accelerated. Criminal gangs must be dismantled. Migrants in irregular situations must be returned, and the EU can and shall assist through coordination.

    (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

    		  
       


    		 

      Loránt Vincze (PPE), blue-card answer. – Well, I believe that for the EU it is important to find the right way for coordination, institutional and financial support, for cross-border law enforcement.

    Yes, education is important, but it’s equally important the environment in which those children live. We know, unfortunately, in many western European societies, parallel societies, parallel neighbourhoods grew up. That made it impossible for children to be integrated in those societies and they went on the road of radicalisation and they were reached out by criminal gangs.

    This is something we need to tackle and it will not be easy. National efforts and coordination, both are extremely important.

    		  
       

    		 

      Silvia Sardone (PfE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, non avete il coraggio di dire che è l’immigrazione irregolare ad aver causato la diffusione di gang criminali sempre più pericolose in Europa.

    Svezia, Germania, Belgio, Francia, Italia: ci troviamo sempre più reti di delinquenza, che spesso coinvolgono giovanissimi che sono protagonisti di risse, spaccio, vandalismi e persino omicidi e attentati.

    Questa criminalità è figlia di anni di buonismo, di accoglienza indiscriminata, di finta integrazione, di porte aperte. Sono i danni collaterali delle politiche della sinistra, che ancora nega l’evidente correlazione tra immigrazione irregolare e criminalità. Periferie che diventano ghetti di degrado e insicurezza, territori che perdiamo e dove la polizia fa fatica ad entrare, zone in cui le leggi e le regole non esistono più.

    Quando capirete che chi spinge per più immigrazione mette a rischio la sicurezza dei cittadini europei?

    (L’oratrice accetta di rispondere a una domanda “cartellino blu”)

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI), Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Illegale Migration führt zu Kriminalität. Man muss nicht mutig sein, um das zu sagen. Das bestreitet ja auch keiner. Aber glauben Sie nicht, dass, wenn man Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund, wenn man Geflüchtete nicht ghettoisiert hätte, in die Armut gedrängt hätte, in schlechte Stadtviertel gedrängt hätte, wenn man ihnen eine Arbeitserlaubnis gegeben hätte, wenn man sie als gleichwertige Mitglieder unserer Gesellschaft behandelt hätte, glauben Sie nicht, dass es dann weniger Kriminalität aus diesem Teil der Bevölkerung geben würde?

    		  
       

    		 

      Silvia Sardone (PfE), risposta a una domanda “cartellino blu”. – Guardi, io le dico quello che succede nel mio paese. Nel mio paese, chi arriva, chiunque arrivi come immigrato in regola, ha tutti i diritti che hanno i cittadini italiani. Quindi, non c’è una spinta da parte dello Stato a portare questa gente alla delinquenza.

    Però le faccio una domanda: se fosse vero quello che dice Lei, e quindi se avesse ragione la sinistra, perché in in Svezia, che è lo Stato del quale stiamo parlando, ha vinto il centro-destra, di fatto certificando il fallimento di anni di sinistra? Probabilmente perché i comunisti hanno sbagliato anche stavolta.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR). – Arvoisa puhemies, Ruotsi on ollut maa, jota monet katsoivat ihailevin silmin. Sittemmin tämä onnellinen ja vauras kansankoti on menty turmelemaan sellaiseksi, ettei sitä enää tunnista entisekseen. Täysin rajoittamattoman muuttoliikkeen on annettu pyyhkäistä Ruotsin yli hyökyaallon lailla. Se on turmellut naapurustoja no go -alueeksi, tehnyt katuja turvattomiksi sekä aikaansaanut räjähdysten ja ammuskelujen värittämän jengirikollisuusepidemian, joka ei Ruotsin hallituksen mukaan ole enää edes hallinnassa. Kuvitelkaa missä kaaoksessa maan pitää olla, että pääministeri joutuu toteamaan näin: “Tilanne ei ole enää hallinnassa”. Mutta alkavat ne silmät avautua nyt Ruotsissakin. Nimittäin, pääministerin mukaan, tiukennetun maahanmuuttopolitiikan linjan täytyy jatkua, jotta Ruotsi voi selviytyä. Siinäpä on ohje koko Euroopalle. Älkäämme toistako Ruotsin hirveää ihmiskoetta, vaan tiukentakaamme maahanmuuttolinjaa, jotta Eurooppa voi selviytyä.

    		  
       




    		 

      Verena Mertens (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die massive Bandengewalt, die wir seit einigen Jahren in Schweden erleben, ist alarmierend. Auch in anderen EU-Staaten nimmt die Waffengewalt zu, wie auch jüngst die Schüsse in Brüssel gezeigt haben.

    Diese Herausforderungen können wir nur europäisch lösen, denn organisierte Kriminalität macht nicht an Grenzen halt. Die Täter profitieren von der Freizügigkeit, weil unsere Strafverfolgungsbehörden an Grenzen und Nationalstaaten gebunden sind. Deshalb müssen wir die Strafverfolgungsbehörden in Europa besser vernetzen – untereinander, und mit Europol und Eurojust und der Europäischen Staatsanwaltschaft, die mehr Kompetenzen braucht.

    Die guten Projekte, die es schon gibt, müssen mehr werden, und viel größer. Denn nur mit Nadelstichen können wir nicht gegen die großen Krebsgeschwüre ankommen, die unser Europa krank machen. Die Strafverfolgungsbehörden müssen effizienter und endlich schlagkräftiger bei Ermittlungen werden, aber auch in der Justiz. Ein digitaler Durchsuchungsbeschluss ist essenziell, um die Drahtzieher zu fassen und Netzwerke zu zerschlagen. Wir brauchen mehr Zugang zu digitalen Daten, um die Hintermänner überführen zu können. In der Justiz brauchen wir effizientere Strafprozesse europaweit. Hier können wir die best practice voneinander lernen.

    Europa muss handlungsfähig bleiben. Unsere Freiheit darf nicht zur Schwäche werden. Sie muss unsere Stärke sein.

    		  
       

    		 

      France Jamet (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, la guerre des gangs qui ensanglante la Suède semble émouvoir aujourd’hui l’Union européenne. Ce qui surprend la classe politique, en fait, c’est que la Suède est un pays prospère, avec l’un des taux de criminalité les plus bas du monde. Mais c’est l’angélisme des Suédois qui les a conduits à une politique migratoire complètement folle, qui a fait exploser la criminalité organisée.

    Alors, on pourrait considérer ça comme un avertissement, comme à Bruxelles, à Dijon, à Berlin, en Italie, à Marseille, en Seine-Saint-Denis, à Montpellier: la liste est longue. Le temps de réaction aussi, d’ailleurs.

    Parce que, face à cela, nos gouvernants, sous la férule de l’Union européenne, ont pris le parti des criminels et des délinquants. Sclérosés par le politiquement correct, pétrifiés face aux juridictions européennes, ils ont pris le parti de regarder ailleurs. C’est le dévoiement de l’État de droit par l’Union européenne qui a sapé notre souveraineté dans nos territoires, nos prétoires, nos frontières, nos prisons, notre quotidien. Ce sont les dealers et les caïds qui imposent aujourd’hui leurs lois à coups de kalachnikov dans nos rues et jusque devant nos écoles.

    Alors oui, il est temps d’y mettre fin. Il est temps de défendre enfin la sécurité de nos compatriotes et leurs intérêts, avant ceux des criminels, des clandestins, en commençant par soutenir nos forces de police.

    		  
       

    		 

      Małgorzata Gosiewska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Strzelaniny, zamachy, gwałty, gangi terroryzujące mieszkańców to codzienność Szwecji – jeszcze tak niedawno bezpiecznego kraju. To skutek polityki otwartych drzwi, którą przez lata prowadzili lewicowi politycy. Wszystkim, którzy sprzeciwiali się ówczesnej polityce imigracyjnej Unii Europejskiej, w tym mojemu ugrupowaniu, zarzucano ksenofobię. Przez osiem lat rządów Prawa i Sprawiedliwości skutecznie broniliśmy Polskę przed napływem uchodźców, w tym także tych ze wschodu ściąganych przez Łukaszenkę. Wtedy to obecny premier Donald Tusk, wasz pupil, straszył Polaków karami za nieprzyjęcie migrantów, a jego partyjni koledzy atakowali polską straż graniczną. To wszystko, aby uzyskać wasze wsparcie w wyborach, za które płaci teraz bezpieczeństwem Polski.

    Dziś biurokracja europejska przymusza mój kraj do przyjęcia migrantów. Tusk udaje, że nie ma na to jego zgody, ale wszyscy wiemy, że to zwyczajne oszustwo na potrzeby kampanii prezydenckiej. Wkrótce Polacy, podobnie jak Szwedzi, Niemcy, Francuzi, zaczną mierzyć się ze skutkami waszych szkodliwych decyzji. Chcecie rządzić światem, a ciągniecie Europę na dno.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Mandl (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! In Schweden gibt es eine Explosion der Bandenkriminalität unvorstellbaren Ausmaßes. Ich danke ausdrücklich Tomas Tobé und den anderen schwedischen Kolleginnen und Kollegen dafür, dass sie das auf die Tagesordnung des Europäischen Parlaments bringen.

    Schweden ist exakt gleich lang Mitgliedstaat der Europäischen Union, wie mein Heimatland Österreich das ist. Wir wissen in diesen 30 Jahren: Grenzüberschreitende Herausforderungen können wir nur gemeinsam europäisch lösen. Deshalb ist dieses Parlament der richtige Ort, an dem das diskutiert gehört. Das ist der europäische Familientisch, an dem das diskutiert, bearbeitet und selbstverständlich auch gelöst gehört.

    Ich möchte drei Kerben einschlagen für die Lösung. Erstens, den Problemen ins Auge zu sehen. Auch in dieser parlamentarischen Debatte haben wir die einen gehört, die die Bandenkriminalität ausschließlich auf die Migration zurückführen. Und wir haben die anderen gehört, die ausdrücklich gesagt haben, das hat mit Migration nichts zu tun. Selbstverständlich ist beides falsch. Mit illegaler Migration hat die Bandenkriminalität zu tun, und die Sanktion ist wichtig. Die über die Grenzen hinausgehende Zusammenarbeit der Polizei- und Strafverfolgungsbehörden ist wichtig.

    Aber nicht nur die Sanktion ist wichtig, auch die Prävention ist wichtig. Hier geht es um Werte, um zivilisatorische Werte, um Menschenwürde und Freiheitsrechte. Darum, dass jeder Mensch gleich viel wert ist und dass es nicht nur die Freiheit von einem Zwang gibt, sondern auch die Freiheit, um etwas zu tun und zu unternehmen im Leben.

    Zur Freiheit gehört auch die Verantwortung. Und das ist es, was sowohl Migrantinnen und Migranten als auch Ansässigen vermittelt werden muss.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nikola Bartůšek (PfE). – Paní předsedající, dámy a pánové, jedna bomba denně. Ano, tak taková je bilance útoků ve Švédsku za poslední měsíc. Převaděči, drogové gangy, organizovaný zločin zaplavili švédská města. Švédsko bývalo kdysi symbolem evropské prosperity. Idylická, bezpečná země s nízkou kriminalitou, proslulá svou spravedlivou politikou a rovností. To už ale neplatí. Švédsko se stalo obětí vlastní naivity a má druhou nejvyšší míru úmrtí způsobených střelnými zbraněmi.

    Toto je obrovské varování před tím, abychom zaplavili pracovní trh levnou pracovní silou, rádoby v dobré víře, a přitom to nazývali humanitární pomocí. S touto masovou levnou pracovní silou přichází k nám domů kriminalita a terorismus. Místo toho, aby Švédsko zůstalo nejbezpečnější zemí v Evropě, zažívá nejvíce teroristických útoků. Vždyť ani nevíme, kdo se nám po Evropě pohybuje. Je čas čelit pravdě. Tento experiment založený na masové migraci selhal. Buďme chytří a poučme se z chyb, než bude příliš pozdě. Společně musíme přestat zavírat oči, zavést přísnější tresty za násilné trestné činy, tvrdší opatření proti praní špinavých peněz a tvrdý zásah proti drogovým gangům. Vždy jde o bezpečnost našich občanů.

    		  
       


       

    PRESIDE: JAVI LÓPEZ
    Vicepresidente

    		  
       

    		 

      Tomislav Sokol (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, Švedska, nekada poznata po svojoj sigurnosti, posljednjih godina suočava se s alarmantnim porastom nasilja i kriminala. Eksplozije, pucnjave i ubojstva postale su uobičajena pojava na ulicama Stockholma, Göteborga i Malmöa. Posebno zabrinjava porast broja mladih koji su počinitelji teških kaznenih djela. Broj počinitelja teških kaznenih djela sa smrtnim ishodom u dobnoj skupini od 15 do 20 godina gotovo se učetverostručio od 2014. E, sada, što se promijenilo u švedskom društvu unutar zadnjih deset godina, a što bi moglo biti uzrok ovakvog stanja? Možda, samo možda, sve skupa ima veze s velikim porastom imigracije u istom razdoblju. Hoćemo li zbog političke korektnosti izbjegavati raspravu o pravim problemima i nastaviti živjeti u oblacima? Kolegice i kolege, potreban je žestok odgovor na povećano nasilje koji mora uključivati zaustavljanje masovne imigracije, uvođenje strožih kazni za počinitelje kaznenih djela, jačanje policijskih ovlasti, ali i deportaciju ilegalnih migranata bez milosti. Trenutna švedska vlada djeluje u pravom smjeru, a mi trebamo postupati mnogo oštrije prema imigraciji i na razini EU-a. Dame i gospodo, ovo je pitanje opstanka Europe.

    		  
       

       

    Solicitudes incidentales de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»)

    		  
       

    		 

      Dariusz Joński (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Tematem debaty jest sytuacja w Szwecji, tymczasem politycy partii Kaczyńskiego z Polski wpadli na pomysł, aby po raz kolejny kłamać na tej sali. Dlaczego to robią? Bo w Polsce są wybory i myślą, że po raz kolejny mogą bezkarnie tutaj kłamać. Otóż tak na dobrą sprawę, jeśli ktokolwiek odpowiada za handlowanie bezpieczeństwem w Polsce, to byli politycy właśnie partii Kaczyńskiego. Jeden z ministrów spraw zagranicznych, który odpowiadał za politykę wizową, został złapany przez Centralne Biuro Antykorupcyjne. W tej sprawie jest komisja śledcza w polskim Sejmie i działa prokuratura, bo ktoś handlował wizami. Można było kupić tanio wizę między innymi z krajów afrykańskich, azjatyckich.

    Otóż to trzeba głośno mówić, bo mam dość tych kłamstw polityków partii Kaczyńskiego. I żeby przeciąć jakiekolwiek spekulacje. Donald Tusk razem z Urszulą von der Leyen w zeszłym tygodniu powiedzieli, że Polska nie będzie implementować paktu migracyjnego. Koniec, kropka. I wszyscy w Polsce i nie tylko w Polsce wiedzą dlaczego? Przyjęliśmy 2 miliony uchodźców z Ukrainy. Pomagamy jak mało kto. I dlatego Polska nie będzie implementować paktu migracyjnego.

    		  
       



    		 

      Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI). – Domnule președinte, v-am auzit aici dând vina de la stânga la dreapta și de la dreapta la stânga. Cu tot respectul, au murit niște oameni, mor copii, mor tineri. Cred că singurul lucru care ne lipsește în toată Europa aceasta, ca și în întreaga lume, este educația, educația care lasă de dorit! Și cred că ar trebui să ascultați psihologii care nu sunt plătiți de dumneavoastră să vă spună cum copiii au nevoie de autoritate, au nevoie de reguli, au nevoie să fie și pedepsiți. Nu omorâți în bătaie, dar pedepsiți, cum am fost și noi. Au nevoie să li se traseze niște reguli, pentru că devin niște abuzatori când cresc.

    Aveți arme la liber? Da, migrația este foarte gravă, e o problemă gravă! V-ați gândit câte arme vin din Ucraina? Știți că prin Portul Constanța vin cele mai multe cantități de droguri, de când ați permis ucrainenilor să vină în Europa? Este raportul Organizației Națiunilor Unite, nu al meu! Cred că ar trebui să vă treziți și să începeți să schimbați învățământul, să opriți inclusiv ucrainenii să mai plece din Ucraina, să opriți finanțarea războiului și să încetați cu Interpolul și cu forțele de violență.

    		  
       

       

    (Fin de las intervenciones con arreglo al procedimiento de solicitud incidental de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»))

    		  
       

    		 

      Maria Luís Albuquerque, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, having listened to this debate, I think we all agree that we need to do a lot and fast. That is why, next month, the Commission will propose a comprehensive internal security strategy. It will be a strategic blueprint for the Commission’s security priorities. This long‑term planning will shape our approach to research, innovation, procurement and operational deployment, improving our joint fight against organised crime and drug trafficking. We will put all our energy into ensuring a stronger, more effective and better coordinated EU‑wide response to organised crime.

    We must put an end to this escalating threat and restore the control over our communities and our borders to protect the safety of citizens in Sweden and across the EU.

    		  
       

    		 

      El presidente. – Se cierra el debate.

    		  

    15. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: the need for the European Union to contribute to resolving the humanitarian crisis of persons missing in wars and conflicts (debate)


    		 

      Lukas Mandl, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, when a person goes missing and remains missing, not only is this person affected in one way or another, but many people around; friends and family, parents and children would be affected by that. It is a pity that we have to say today the absolute rule to avoid persons going missing also in armed conflict is not respected anymore. There are more and more missing persons. Particularly Ukraine is suffering; Ukrainian children, men and women are suffering. Especially, as we all know, children from Ukraine in a large number would be brought to Russia and maybe other places. We don’t know about their whereabouts. They go missing.

    The International Red Cross documents that more and more persons go missing. This is why, in the European Parliament, we time and again have to underline and emphasise the importance of human rights, of humanitarian law, and among humanitarian law rules, avoiding persons going missing is a major rule.

    Of course, also the migration routes which are caused by human trafficking, by smugglers, by organised crime, are places where persons go missing: 60 000 and more in Ukraine, 40 000 were documented by the Red Cross, nearly 30 000 only in the last years in the Mediterranean when it’s about illegal migration routes. There are also regimes on this planet who purposely use persons going missing against their own population. This is something that happens in North Korea. This is something that happens in the Iranian mullah regime. And this is something that’s also used against Europe when it comes to illegal migration, many times purposely. This is why it is so important to emphasise this issue and to bring it to the table of this very European Parliament.

    		  
       

    		 

      Costas Mavrides, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, in 2001, the European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty for a continued violation of a number of conventions and articles, specifically with regard to the whereabouts and faith of Greek Cypriot missing persons during the Turkish invasion of 1974. Since then, as the European Parliament, we condemn Turkey for its actions, specifically for the intentional removal of human remains in its efforts to cover up its regional crimes committed by the Turkish Army under state orders. Despite court decisions, Turkey refuses still today to provide crucial information, such as access to military archives and access to so-called military zones. This behaviour is simply an extension of the original crime 50 years ago, and this country remains in the accession process.

    		  
       

    		 

      Γεάδης Γεάδη, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας ECR. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, άρθρο 3 της Οικουμενικής Διακήρυξης Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων: «Κάθε άνθρωπος έχει δικαίωμα στη ζωή, στην ελευθερία και την προσωπική του ασφάλεια». Δυστυχώς όμως, η φρικαλεότητα του πολέμου δεν κάνει διακρίσεις. Χιλιάδες αγνοούμενοι μετά τη ρωσική εισβολή στην Ουκρανία, εκατοντάδες αγνοούμενοι και μετά την τρομοκρατική επίθεση της Χαμάς στο Ισραήλ.

    Στον μαύρο κατάλογο και η Κύπρος, που εδώ και 50 χρόνια βιώνει τις συνέπειες της τουρκικής εισβολής και της συνεχιζόμενης παράνομης κατοχής. Η τουρκική βαρβαρότητα άφησε πίσω της 1.619 αγνοούμενους σε ένα μικρό νησί όπως η Κύπρος. Άμαχοι, γυναίκες, γέροντες και μικρά παιδιά συμπεριλαμβάνονται στον μακρύ αυτόν κατάλογο των απαχθέντων.

    Η Τουρκία δεν συνεργάζεται. Κωφεύει στις διεθνείς εκκλήσεις, περιφρονεί την απόφαση του Ευρωπαϊκού Δικαστηρίου, αγνοεί το ψήφισμα 34/50 των Ηνωμένων Εθνών και αντ’ αυτού οργανωμένα μετακινεί οστά από τους ομαδικούς τάφους. Και γιατί να το πράξει άλλωστε, όταν υψηλόβαθμοι αξιωματούχοι της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, αντί να τη θέσουν ενώπιον των ευθυνών της με αυστηρότατες κυρώσεις, την χρηματοδοτούν αποκαλώντας της στρατηγικό εταίρο;

    Έχουμε χρέος απέναντι στις τραγικές φιγούρες, τις μάνες των αγνοουμένων που έφυγαν χωρίς να ξέρουν την τύχη του δικού τους ανθρώπου. Μόνο τότε θα μπορούμε να κοιτάζουμε στα μάτια τα τότε κοριτσάκια που σήμερα έγιναν μητέρες, γιαγιάδες και ακόμα ψάχνουν τι απέγινε ο δικός τους πατέρας.

    		  
       


    		 

      Mounir Satouri, au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, derrière chaque disparition, il y a des familles et des communautés qui souffrent de l’incertitude quant au sort de leurs proches. Cependant, selon l’endroit où cela se passe dans le monde, le problème peut devenir secondaire pour la communauté internationale.

    Ces disparitions sont pourtant monnaie courante dans tous les conflits: c’est le cas des enfants ukrainiens arrachés à leur famille par le régime russe. C’est le cas des otages israéliens capturés par le Hamas. Mais c’est aussi le cas des milliers de civils palestiniens tués anonymement ou emprisonnés dans le secret. C’est le cas des familles séparées par la guerre ou des enfants enrôlés de force en RDC ou au Soudan. C’est le cas des fosses communes retrouvées en Ukraine, à Gaza, en RDC ou en Syrie.

    Notre indignation ne doit pas être sélective. Toutes ces horreurs sont proscrites par le droit international humanitaire. Les belligérants sont obligés d’empêcher les disparitions et de fournir des informations sur la mort ou la détention des personnes. Pourtant, c’est l’impunité qui règne et les familles des disparus continuent d’être dévastées.

    Peut-on espérer la paix si nous ne garantissons pas l’application du droit international par la justice?

    J’appelle donc à protéger les outils de justice internationale, au premier rang desquels la Cour pénale internationale, qui enquête en RDC comme au Soudan, qui a engagé des poursuites contre Vladimir Poutine, contre Benyamin Netanyahou ou les cadres du Hamas pour leurs crimes contre l’humanité. Les familles des disparus ont droit à la justice. C’est le seul chemin viable vers la paix.

    		  
       

    		 

      Γιώργος Γεωργίου, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας The Left. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, μου κάνει εντύπωση που κάποιοι βλέπουν αγνοούμενους μόνο στην Ουκρανία. Και για την Γάζα πάλι μιλάνε, αλλά δεν μας λένε ότι εκεί στη Γάζα οι αγνοούμενοι είναι μόνον οι Παλαιστίνιοι. Ούτε μας λένε για τους δεκάδες χιλιάδες αγνοούμενους που προέκυψαν από τα φασιστικά δικτατορικά καθεστώτα στην Ευρώπη.

    Είναι βέβαια και οι αγνοούμενοι στην Κύπρο. Δυστυχώς, για πολλές δεκαετίες το ζήτημα των αγνοουμένων της Κύπρου, ίσως η πιο τραγική πτυχή αυτού του προβλήματος, συνεχίζεται. Ο κατάλογος βέβαια είναι εμπλουτισμένος από Ελληνοκύπριους και Τουρκοκύπριους αγνοούμενους και ο πόνος για τις μανάδες, τα αδέλφια, τους συγγενείς είναι κοινός.

    Στηρίζεται βέβαια η Διερευνητική Επιτροπή των Αγνοουμένων από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, όμως αυτή η στήριξη δεν είναι αρκετή, διότι η Τουρκία συνεχίζει να προβάλλει εμπόδια, να δυσκολεύει και να παραπληροφορεί. Έτσι, οι ευθύνες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και της διεθνούς κοινότητας είναι σήμερα ακόμα πιο σημαντική προς την κατεύθυνση να πιεστεί η Τουρκία, να αναγκαστεί να ανοίξει τα στρατιωτικά της αρχεία, να δώσει πληροφορίες και στοιχεία για τους αγνοούμενους.

    Αναφέρομαι χαρακτηριστικά στην περίπτωση των αγνοουμένων της Άσσιας, του χωριού μου. Εκεί, ο τουρκικός στρατός εκτέλεσε εν ψυχρώ 70 ανθρώπους και τους έριξε σε ένα πηγάδι. Το ’96 τους μετακίνησαν σε ένα σκυβαλότοπο στο Δίκωμο. Εκεί βρίσκεται και ένας θείος μου, ο θείος μου Κλεάνθης. Θέλουμε πίσω τα οστά τους, να τους θάψουμε όπως αρμόζει στους νεκρούς. Δεν ζητάμε πολλά. Θέλουμε να δράσουμε τώρα. Το οφείλουμε στη μνήμη των θυμάτων. Το οφείλουμε στις οικογένειές τους που πρέπει να μάθουν την αλήθεια.

    		  
       

    		 

      Željana Zovko (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, govorit ću danas o univerzalnoj deklaraciji o ljudskim pravima u kontekstu rata, sukoba i geopolitičkih napetosti. Podsjećamo se da je nastala upravo u takvim okolnostima, kao odgovor na nepravdu, patnju i kršenje temeljnih prava.

    Agresija na Republiku Hrvatsku 91. godine donijela je nezamislivu patnju. Tisuće hrvatskih branitelja i civila bili su zatočeni, nestali ili nasilno odvedeni. Unatoč svim naporima i mjerama, i dalje se suočavamo s najtežim posljedicama rata. 1782 osobe i dalje se vode kao nestale. Nažalost, u Bosni i Hercegovini još se uvijek traga za 7608 osoba. Ova pitanja ne smiju ostati otvorena. Pravda za nestale ne može biti prepuštena zaboravu.

    Pozivam Srbiju i Crnu Goru da konačno preuzmu odgovornost, otvore arhive, podijele informacije i omoguće rješavanje sudbina onih koji su nepravedno nestali. Europska unija mora iskoristiti svoju pregovaračku moć i osigurati da se ovo pitanje stavi visoko na dnevni red pretpristupnih pregovora. Pristup Europskoj uniji podrazumijeva vrijednost istine, pravde i ljudskih prava i u tome ne može i ne smije biti kompromisa. Dok obitelji s neizmjernom boli još uvijek tragaju za svojim najmilijima, a njihovi domovi odzvanjaju najglasnijom tišinom, mi imamo odgovornost. Neprihvatljivo je da oni koji imaju informacije o nestalima i dalje šute. Otvorite arhive, bez toga nema zaključavanja pregovora.

    		  
       


    		 

      Antonella Sberna (ECR). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, oggi, 10 febbraio, in Italia celebriamo il Giorno del ricordo, una giornata dedicata alla memoria delle vittime italiane delle foibe e delle centinaia di migliaia di persone costrette all’esodo dalle terre giuliano-dalmate, una ferita ancora aperta, perché molti di loro restano senza nome e molte famiglie senza una verità.

    Ma il dolore dei dispersi non è solo un ricordo del passato. Ancora oggi, in troppi conflitti, migliaia di persone scompaiono senza lasciare traccia. A Cipro, a cinquant’anni dall’invasione turca, oltre 2 000 persone risultano ancora disperse. Nei Balcani, durante le guerre degli anni ’90, sono molti i casi irrisolti, così come in Ucraina migliaia di bambini sono stati deportati, separati dalle loro famiglie, vittime di un’ingiustizia che segnerà intere generazioni.

    La tecnologia, a questo punto, può essere un alleato prezioso nella ricerca delle persone scomparse. L’uso del telerilevamento satellitare e della tecnologia LiDAR può aiutare a individuare fosse comuni e raccogliere prove fondamentali per identificare le vittime e restituire loro la dignità.

    L’Unione europea deve investire in queste tecnologie, ma oltre alla tecnologia serve la volontà politica. L’Unione europea deve farsi promotrice di meccanismi vincolanti per la ricerca delle persone scomparse, affinché nessun paese possa ostacolare la verità.

    Cari colleghi, il diritto alla verità non ha scadenza. Le famiglie di chi è scomparso continuano a cercare, senza scelta e senza tempo. È nostro dovere stare al loro fianco, trasformando i valori dell’Europa in azioni concrete.

    		  
       

    		 

      Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, ‘Bring out the dead dogs’. That’s how prison guards ordered inmates to carry out the bodies of those who died overnight in Sednaya Prison in Syria. What happened to those bodies? Nobody knows. For decades, the Assad regime has used forced disappearances as a tool of repression. More than 100 000 people have disappeared under his rule. Over 100 000 remain missing today. Now, for the first time in decades, there is a real chance to uncover the truth. Syrian experts are already on the ground, documenting crimes, exhuming mass graves, protecting evidence. But they need our support, financially and politically, to fund Syrian civil society working for truth, justice and reconciliation, to press Syria’s new rulers to make transitional justice a priority, to strengthen the UN mechanism on missing people, to ensure independent investigations. Because this is the only way to hold perpetrators accountable, to help families find out what happened to their loved ones, and to support Syrians rebuilding a country that heals its wounds and will be a free country for everyone.

    		  
       


    		 

      Fidias Panayiotou (NI). – Mr President, my uncle has been missing since the Turkish invasion of my country, Cyprus, in 1974. This had a huge impact on my family. My father was seven years old when he witnessed a suicide attempt by my grandmother because she couldn’t handle it. My uncle is one of the 2 000 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who had disappeared, mainly during the Turkish invasion in 1974 and the intercommunal fighting of 1964. The remains of these communities’ people are being searched for by communal committee, and by today half of them have been identified and returned to their relatives, who, unlike my grandmother, were lucky enough to live until that day of relief.

    I want to thank the European Union because it is the biggest funder of this committee, giving so far EUR 35 million. Please continue to fund this project, which not only brings peace to families like mine, but also encourages cooperation between the two communities of the island, increasing the chance of a potential solution to the Cyprus problem.

    		  
       

    		 

      Φρέντης Μπελέρης (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η Οικουμενική Διακήρυξη για τα Ανθρώπινα Δικαιώματα ξεκαθαρίζει πως όλοι έχουν το δικαίωμα στην αξιοπρέπεια και τη δικαιοσύνη. Αλλά ποια αξιοπρέπεια, ποια δικαιοσύνη υπάρχει για εκείνους των οποίων η μοίρα παραμένει άγνωστη;

    Θέλω να επικεντρωθώ σε δύο κράτη, την Κύπρο, όπου πενήντα χρόνια μετά την τουρκική εισβολή, χιλιάδες οικογένειες αναζητούν τους οικείους τους, και την Αλβανία, όπου εξακολουθούν να αγνοούνται περίπου 6.000 άνθρωποι που χάθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια της κομμουνιστικής θηριωδίας. Το ίδιο φαινόμενο έχει παρατηρηθεί και σε άλλες χώρες. Έχουμε λοιπόν την ηθική και πολιτική ευθύνη να βοηθήσουμε στην αποκατάσταση αυτής της αδικίας.

    Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο το 2015 έκανε το πρώτο βήμα, εγκρίνοντας ψήφισμα σχετικά με ομαδικούς τάφους αγνοουμένων στο χωριό Ορνίθι, στο κατεχόμενο τμήμα της Κύπρου. Ήρθε η ώρα να το ξανακάνουμε. Γιατί πίσω από κάθε αγνοούμενο υπάρχει μια οικογένεια, μια ιστορία και ατελείωτος πόνος. Πίσω από κάθε αλήθεια που δεν έρχεται στο φως υπάρχουν οι δικές μας ευθύνες.

    		  
       

    		 

      Leire Pajín (S&D). – (inicio de la intervención fuera de micrófono) … aquí este debate, pero les invito a que sea un debate sincero, fuera hipocresías.

    Porque la Declaración Universal de Derechos Humanos es una declaración de paz para que todas las personas vivan libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos, y hay grupos en esta Cámara que diferencian las crisis humanitarias y también las víctimas: solo hay que ver lo que dicen o cómo responden a las víctimas de Gaza o de otras crisis; tampoco lo hacen en mi país donde tiempo después, mucho tiempo después de esa declaración, todavía sufríamos una larga dictadura llena de desapariciones y de muertes.

    Señorías, una Europa sin memoria es una Europa que no puede mirar al futuro ni a la convivencia en paz; una Europa sin memoria es aquella donde los jóvenes no saben lo que pasó ni lo que fue la conquista de la libertad. Por eso queremos una Unión Europea que garantice el derecho a la memoria, a la reparación y a la justicia en todo el mundo, también en España, y que impida la derogación de leyes de la memoria que condena a las víctimas a seguir en las cunetas.

    Por eso, dejémonos de hipocresía y luchemos por la memoria y la dignidad de todas las víctimas en el mundo, también en Europa y en España.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sebastian Everding (The Left). – Herr Präsident! Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wie soll an vielen Stellen auf der Welt ein dauerhafter Frieden vermittelt werden, wenn Familien keine Antwort auf das Schicksal ihrer Angehörigen haben? Dies stellt eines der größten Hindernisse für die Heilung, Versöhnung und den Wiederaufbau von Gesellschaften dar.

    Die Zahlen sind dabei mehr als erschreckend, denn mehr als 71 000 Menschen in Afrika gelten als vermisst und rund 42 000 Menschen in der Ukraine. Dabei sind es wohlgemerkt nicht nur Soldaten, sondern auch viele Zivilisten. Aber wir müssen gar nicht so weit wegschauen, denn auch in Zentraleuropa werden rund 10 000 Menschen vermisst, deren sterbliche Überreste nach dem gewaltsamen Zerfall Jugoslawiens nie gefunden wurden.

    Die internationale Gemeinschaft und auch die EU müssen dringend Schritte ergreifen, um einen wirksamen Weg zur Klärung des Schicksals und Verbleibs vermisster Menschen zu finden. Denn ohne Fortschritte kann es aufgrund der Schmerzen, des Verlustes und der empfundenen Ungerechtigkeit keinen dauerhaften Frieden in vielen Regionen geben.

    Ich schließe mit den Worten von George Bernard Shaw, der sagt: Krieg ist ein Zustand, bei dem Menschen aufeinander schießen, die sich nicht kennen, auf Befehl von Menschen, die sich zwar kennen, aber nicht aufeinander schießen.

    		  
       


    		 

      Ana Catarina Mendes (S&D). – Senhor Presidente, caros colegas, acabo de chegar de uma difícil missão a Palestina e a Israel, onde pude testemunhar a destruição, o desespero e as condições precárias nas quais tentam sobreviver milhares de pessoas, das quais muitas crianças. Gaza é uma das regiões com maior densidade populacional no mundo, que enfrenta há anos desafios diários devido às restrições sistémicas e aos recursos limitados. Desde o terrível ataque de 7 de outubro de 2023 que as condições pioraram ainda mais. Todas as guerras e conflitos, e este não é exceção, deixam também as marcas dos desaparecidos. As mães da Praça de Maio, na Argentina, as Mães de Sábado, na Turquia, livros e filmes como o recente Ainda Estou Aqui, sobre Rubens Paiva, no Brasil, mostram a desumanidade dos desaparecimentos e a apneia da procura de respostas em que os seus familiares mergulham durante décadas. Juntemos a isto a Síria, Chipre, a Ucrânia. Nos dias de hoje, a Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos pretende garantir que os seus apelos por verdade, justiça e pela não repetição da história sejam ouvidos. Lutemos pela memória para continuarmos a viver em liberdade, com respeito pelos direitos humanos.

    (A oradora aceita responder a uma pergunta «cartão azul»)

    		  
       



    		 

      François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, 50 ans après l’invasion de Chypre par la Turquie, des centaines de Chypriotes sont encore aujourd’hui formellement portés disparus. Leurs familles n’ont pas seulement perdu ceux qu’elles aimaient, elles ont été privées de la vérité et, sans cette vérité, elles ne peuvent pas faire leur deuil. Ce n’est pas une abstraction. Notre collègue Fidias Panayiotou vient de nous donner un exemple très concret de ce que peuvent signifier dans une vie, dans la vie d’une famille, ces personnes qui manquent à l’appel.

    Chers collègues, je parlais moi-même avec un ami chypriote, il y a quelques semaines de cela, qui me disait: «Bien sûr, la guerre a été terrible, mais plus terrible encore, peut-être, aura été, après la guerre, d’être privés de savoir où sont ceux que nous avons perdus.»

    Aujourd’hui, nous avons un devoir, tous ensemble, et comme rapporteur de ce Parlement pour cette mission qui nous réunit, je veux travailler avec toutes les forces politiques de cet hémicycle, parce que si une question doit dépasser les clivages, c’est bien celle-là.

    Notre devoir, c’est de faire en sorte qu’enfin la Turquie coopère et qu’elle dise la vérité. Que nous puissions savoir enfin offrir à ces familles endeuillées la vérité à laquelle elles ont droit, parce que le temps passe et le temps court et, ce temps qui court, c’est celui des générations qui vont bientôt nous quitter et qui ont le droit de connaître le sort de ceux qu’elles ont aimés avant de partir.

    Cette urgence absolue, la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme l’a rappelée à de très nombreuses reprises. C’est à notre Parlement aujourd’hui de faire en sorte que la Turquie puisse enfin rentrer dans cette coopération dont nous avons tellement besoin, parce que la justice en dépend, la vérité en dépend, ainsi que le salut de ces familles dont nous parlons, qui est la cause qui nous réunit.

    		  
       

    		 

      Murielle Laurent (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, en 2024, le Comité international de la Croix-Rouge a annoncé que, pour le seul continent africain, plus de 71 000 personnes étaient portées disparues en raison des conflits armés, de la violence et du contexte migratoire, soit 75 % de plus qu’en 2019.

    Ces disparitions sont l’une des conséquences humanitaires les plus désastreuses et durables des conflits. Souvenons-nous que, derrière chaque personne disparue, beaucoup d’autres souffrent de l’incertitude et c’est inconcevable. Si cela avait lieu en Europe, il serait inimaginable de ne pas chercher les disparus, et en particulier les enfants.

    Il est urgent de parler de ces personnes, de reconnaître la souffrance, le désespoir des familles et d’attirer l’attention de l’Union européenne, de prévenir et de résoudre les disparitions des personnes, quelles que soient les circonstances.

    Enfin, je souhaite rappeler que de nombreux migrants disparaissent au cours de leur déplacement, trop souvent périlleux, vers l’Europe, ou une fois arrivés.

    Il est essentiel que l’Union européenne évalue l’impact de ses politiques migratoires sur le risque de disparition des migrants et facilite les opérations de secours en mer afin d’éviter les tragédies, qui font trop souvent la une de nos journaux.

    		  
       



    		 

      Maria Guzenina (S&D). – Mr President, right now, as we speak, thousands of Ukrainian children have been ripped from their homes, torn from the arms of their families, forcefully deported to Russia and Belarus, detained in Russian prisons, forced into adoption, stripped of their identities. These children are being erased. A grave violation of international law.

    Even in this room, I have heard Russian propaganda attempting to twist this horror into something it is not. Let me say this plainly: this is not a topic for propaganda. This is a moral line that demands the united will of the entire European Parliament. We must act. We must act now. The EU must impose sanctions against those responsible for these atrocities. And more than that, we must demand that these children, these stolen lives, are returned to their homes, to their families, to their loved ones. These children are not just numbers in a report; they are lives stolen. And we cannot, we must not let them be forgotten. So bring them home.

    		  
       

       

    Solicitudes incidentales de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»)

    		  
       


    		 

      Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR). – Arvoisa puhemies, kun terroristijärjestö Hamas otti viattomia israelilaissiviilejä panttivangiksi, omaisten tuskan voi vain kuvitella. Ajattele, jos joutuisit itse miettimään taukoamatta, tuleeko itselle rakas ihminen koskaan takaisin, ja jos tulee, millaisia kauheuksia kokeneena. Samaa joutuvat miettimään lukuisat ja lukuisat perheet parhaillaan Ukrainassa. Käveleekö oma poikani enää koskaan tuosta kotiovesta? Jos ei kävele, millaiset mahtavat olla hänen viimeiset hetkensä?

    Kun me vahvistamme Euroopan turvallisuutta, oli kyse sitten puolustuksen ylösajosta tai terrorismin kitkemisestä, kyse ei ole vain poliittisista päätöksistä. Kyse on eurooppalaisten perheiden suojelusta. Kun Euroopalta tällaisten uhkakuvien edessä vaaditaan kovaa linjaa, vasemmisto yhä edelleen vastustaa. En voi käsittää, ja siksi kysyn, mikä teidän arvoissanne on oikein vialla?

    		  
       



    		 

      Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI). – Domnule președinte, vorbiți de drepturile omului și sunteți instituția care le încalcă cel mai mult. Începând cu plandemia, ați distrus tot ceea ce înseamnă drepturile omului. Vorbiți de Israel, le luați apărarea, dar nu vedeți că au murit peste 45 000 de femei și copii.

    Vorbiți de Ucraina, dar de ce nu vorbiți, vă rog, de românii din Ucraina, peste un milion care sunt supuși exterminării de Zelensky, pe care dumneavoastră îl luați în brațe? Nu vedeți nici măcar că Ursula von der Leyen l-a sprijinit pe Președintele României, domnul Klaus Werner Iohannis, care are dosare pentru vânzare de copii.

    Vă anunț că astăzi, domnul Klaus Werner Iohannis, la presiunea politică, inclusiv a partidului meu, pe care îl conduc, S.O.S. România, și-a dat demisia. Ați încălcat dumneavoastră și ați permis încălcarea drepturilor omului, ați omorât oameni în pandemie, omorâți oameni, trimițând arme în Ucraina și vă bateți joc de tot ceea ce înseamnă, din Fâșia Gaza, palestinienii. Nu așa se face politică! Cu tot respectul, învățați să (…)

    (Președintele a retras cuvântul vorbitoarei)

    		  
       

    		 

      Γεώργιος Αυτιάς (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, πρέπει να κινηθούμε αποφασιστικά, με μέτρα κοινωνικά, γιατί χωρίς τον άνθρωπο, οι κοινωνίες δεν μπορούν να προχωρήσουν. Μισθοί, συντάξεις, ασφαλιστικό, ακρίβεια, στέγαση. Όλα αυτά, λοιπόν, απαιτούν από εμάς άμεση δράση, άμεση κινητοποίηση. Καμία κοινωνία δεν μπορεί να στηριχθεί, αν δεν έχει τον άνθρωπο μπροστά σε όλες τις δραστηριότητες.

    Παράλληλα, θα πρέπει να στηρίξουμε τους ανθρώπους οι οποίοι απειλούνται από την τεχνητή νοημοσύνη. Είναι οι συγγραφείς, είναι οι δημιουργοί, είναι οι καλλιτέχνες. Ζουν μια ανηλεή αντιγραφή στα έργα τους. Άπειρη προσοχή, λοιπόν, να κινηθούμε προς αυτή την κατεύθυνση. Να στηρίξουμε ανθρώπους, να στηρίξουμε τη γνώση, γιατί η κοινωνία δεν μπορεί να περιμένει άλλο.

    		  
       

    		 

      Carola Rackete (The Left). – Herr Präsident! Ich muss sagen, diese Debatte erfüllt mich auch mit wahnsinnig viel Wut, denn es gibt Tausende von Opfern, deren Überreste auf dem Boden des Mittelmeers liegen. Menschen auf der Flucht, die von der EU sterben gelassen wurden und die niemand gerettet hat, als sie noch gelebt haben.

    Diese Krise ist das Resultat der Abschottungspolitik, die in diesen Sälen entschieden wird. Eine Schande! Ich selber habe, als ich auf dem Schiff gearbeitet habe, doch wirklich so häufig der Küstenwache die Leichen gemeldet, und nie haben sie eigentlich Lust, die Leichen aufzunehmen, die DNA zu nehmen, die Leute zu identifizieren oder einfach die Leichen dann ordentlich zu beerdigen.

    Es gibt Tausende und Abertausende von Familien in Afrika, die ihre Verwandten suchen. Diese Leute hätten alle – alle – lebend gerettet werden können, wenn die EU sich zu einer vernünftigen Seenotrettungsmission, staatlich finanziert, entscheiden würde.

    Bedanken möchte ich mich hier wirklich und sehr ernsthaft bei den Hunderten und Tausenden von Freiwilligen des Roten Halbmonds in Tunesien und Libyen, die sich um die Leichen kümmern, die dort angeschwemmt werden.

    		  
       

    		 

      Κώστας Παπαδάκης (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, μόνο στην Ουκρανία βλέπετε αγνοούμενους. Για τους χιλιάδες Παλαιστινίους στη Γάζα ούτε κουβέντα. Πενήντα ένα χρόνια, όμως, μετά από την τουρκική εισβολή και κατοχή στην Κύπρο, που και αυτή οδήγησε σε χιλιάδες νεκρούς, αγνοούμενους και εκτοπισμένους.

    Είναι απαράδεκτο μετά από τόσα χρόνια οικογένειες αγνοουμένων με τους συλλόγους τους σε Κύπρο και Ελλάδα να επωμίζονται το βάρος, όχι μόνο της απουσίας και απώλειας των ανθρώπων τους, αλλά να αναλαμβάνουν ευθύνες που βαρύνουν κράτη και κυβερνήσεις για τη συγκέντρωση στοιχείων, τη διακρίβωση της τύχης των αγνοουμένων πολιτών και στρατιωτών, παράλληλα με τη Διερευνητική Επιτροπή Αγνοουμένων.

    Η έρευνα αυτή υπονομεύεται από τη στάση του κράτους της Τουρκίας, που κρατά κλειστά τα στρατιωτικά αρχεία για τους χώρους ομαδικής ταφής των αγνοουμένων με αλλοιώσεις τόπων ταφής, μετακίνηση λειψάνων, εμποδίζοντας τις έρευνες. Να ανοίξει τώρα η τουρκική κυβέρνηση τα κρατικά και στρατιωτικά αρχεία. Να γίνει αποτελεσματική έρευνα στα κατεχόμενα για την ταυτοποίηση και απόδοση των λειψάνων, την αποζημίωση και στήριξη των οικογενειών των αγνοουμένων, μέχρι να διακριβωθεί και ο τελευταίος αγνοούμενος.

    		  
       

       

    (Fin de las intervenciones con arreglo al procedimiento de solicitud incidental de uso de la palabra («catch the eye»))

    		  
       

    		 

      El presidente. – Se cierra el debate.

    		  

    16. One-minute speeches on matters of political importance


    		 

      Branko Grims (PPE). – Gospod predsednik! V Sloveniji se že ves čas njenega članstva v Evropski uniji očitno zlorablja pravosodje za onemogočanje opozicije, zlasti SDS in njenega predsednika Janeza Janše. Najprej je bil to kafkovski proces Patria, potem sedaj absurdni proces Trenta, nekaj, za kar se je zgodilo pred dvajsetimi leti. Vedno to oživi pred naslednjimi volitvami. Sodnik Radonjić, ki je razgalil pritiske globoke države, je bil zaradi tega sam obtožen, privlečen v lisicah na sodišče in obsojen, čeprav je imel potrdilo zdravnika, da zaradi hude bolezni ni sposoben obrambe na sodišču. Evropsko komisijo sem obširno in argumentirano seznanil z vsemi temi očitnimi kršitvami človekovih pravic v pismih in intervjujih. Vendar Evropska komisija molči, in v pravu velja “Kdor molči, se strinja”. Zato jo pozivam, da pojasni, kako bo ukrepala, da bo tudi v Sloveniji zagotovljen pravni red in da bo vsakomur zagotovljeno pošteno sojenje. Bog vas živi, Bog živi Evropo, Bog živi Slovenijo!

    		  
       


    		 

      Philippe Olivier (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, les carburants alternatifs sont l’illustration d’une certaine inconséquence de l’Union européenne. Vous édictez des règles, les imposez à nos filières, en l’occurrence l’aérien et le maritime, puis vous laissez le marché décider. Le résultat, ce sont des filières qui ne savent pas à quels procédés techniques se vouer, des infrastructures, par exemple dans les aéroports, dont vous ne vous préoccupez pas, mais surtout des filières de production qui profitent aux Chinois, comme par exemple la phase d’électrolyse pour certains carburants.

    Que dire des distorsions de subventions? Quand les USA subventionnent à 3 tout le secteur, vous, vous subventionnez à 0,5 en étant exagérément sélectifs.

    L’Europe doit rapidement sortir de sa naïveté et protéger ses industries émergentes en mettant en œuvre une protection économique. Sans cela, la révolution des nouveaux carburants surviendra, certes, mais hors de l’Europe, et surtout à son détriment.

    		  
       


    		 

      Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, ¿saben qué significa la palabra facha? Se lo explico. Vean los vídeos y fotografías del cónclave de fachas que se celebró en Madrid el fin de semana pasado: Abascal, Orbán, Le Pen, Wilders, Salvini, André Ventura. Lo peor de cada casa pagado por el Grupo Patriotas por Europa del Parlamento Europeo. Teorías conspiranoicas, negacionismo climático, discursos de odio contra la democracia y la Europa de los pueblos, contra los colectivos más vulnerables, contra el colectivo LGBTIQ+, contra nosotras, las mujeres. En definitiva, una exaltación y un ataque fascista y a la democracia. Fascismo que campa a sus anchas, que ya controla y marca la agenda en algunos Estados miembros de la Unión Europea. ¿Cuándo va Europa a despertar y parar este monstruo de fanatismo contra los derechos y libertades?

    En 2018 fui ponente de este Parlamento para la Resolución sobre el auge de la violencia neofascista en Europa, para pararles los pies y resistir contra esta nueva embestida. Esa Resolución decía claramente que no se debía exaltar el neofascismo. Poco ha hecho Europa para pararles; les lava la cara, sobre todo el PP español, que permite y blanquea esos cónclaves fachas.

    Recuerden la palabra, señores de allí: fachas. Que no se les olvide. Una peste para Europa.

    		  
       



    		 

      Hélder Sousa Silva (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, a segurança e a defesa finalmente tornaram‑se prioridades da nossa União. A segurança e a defesa, depois da alimentação e da água, estão na base da pirâmide das necessidades humanas. Sem segurança e defesa não há direitos sociais. E o investimento na defesa não é apenas uma despesa, tem um efeito multiplicador na economia, tal como a criação de emprego, na investigação científica e no desenvolvimento social. O reforço da defesa pode e deve ser financiado sem sacrificar o modelo social europeu, por exemplo, através de empréstimos europeus tipo PRR de maior envolvimento do Banco Europeu de Investimento, assim como de maior liberdade fiscal para os Estados-Membros. A diplomacia só é eficaz quando está apoiada numa capacidade de defesa credível. Países que não têm meios militares próprios tornam‑se dependentes da boa vontade de outros. Portanto, a Comissão Europeia não pode esperar até 2028 para agir, porque isso seria perder mais três anos e dar vantagem competitiva aos nossos adversários.

    		  
       


    		 

      Séverine Werbrouck (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, en ce moment même, plus de 450 navires de pêche sont bloqués à quai à cause de la brutale et irrationnelle reconduction de l’interdiction de pêche dans le golfe de Gascogne.

    En plus de pénaliser les pêcheurs qui ont déjà consenti à d’importants efforts, cette mesure a entraîné des pertes considérables pour l’ensemble des métiers à terre. Il est essentiel de rappeler qu’un emploi en mer génère trois à quatre emplois à terre: mareyeurs, mécaniciens, électriciens, forgerons maritimes, poissonniers dépendent directement de l’activité des bateaux. Sans indemnisation, ces professions subissent de lourdes pertes économiques avec des baisses de chiffre d’affaires sans aucune compensation.

    Les pêcheurs sont nos paysans de la mer. Ils ne demandent pas à vivre de subventions, mais à vivre de leur travail artisanal, à assurer leur rôle essentiel pour la souveraineté alimentaire et à transmettre leur savoir-faire aux générations futures. Ils appellent à des solutions pérennes, conciliant protection de la biodiversité et survie économique, plutôt qu’à des fermetures récurrentes et inefficaces qui mettent en péril de manière irréversible une filière qui fait notre fierté.

    		  
       

    		 

      Waldemar Buda (ECR). – Szanowni Państwo, wczoraj kanclerz Olaf Scholz przyznał w debacie z Friedrichem Merzem, że po prostu łamie prawo, to znaczy odsyła imigrantów, przewozi z własnego kraju do sąsiadów, w tym do Polski. W 2024 r. to było już kilkanaście tysięcy osób. To jest jawne i oczywiste łamanie przepisów, również europejskich. Dlatego z tego miejsca żądam reakcji Komisji Europejskiej.

    Dzisiaj pakt migracyjny jeszcze nie obowiązuje, w związku z tym nie można robić tego typu zabiegów w celu ratowania własnych obywateli, ponieważ my jako Polacy się z tym nie zgadzamy. Informacja o tym, że polski premier Donald Tusk wyraził na to zgodę, jest skandaliczna. I chciałbym państwa poinformować, że Donald Tusk nie ma zgody obywateli na tego typu działania, nie ma zgody na podpisanie paktu migracyjnego, czego już dokonał. I przygotowujemy w Polsce referendum, które pokaże sprzeciw wobec was, wobec Komisji Europejskiej, Niemców i wobec tego nierządu, który dzisiaj mamy w Polsce.

    		  
       

    		 

      Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, even loving your parents is a crime under the brutal rule of the Iranian regime. Nima was three years old when his mother, Sakharov laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh, was thrown into prison. Her crime? Defending women’s rights. Nima grew up visiting her through glass barriers. His father, Reza, held the family together while the regime tried everything to tear it apart. And now they have come for Reza to punish Nasrin for not wearing hijab. Nima, now 17, wanted to see his father in prison. But in Iran even that is a battle. When he protested the sudden cancellation of an in-person visit, they beat him up, smashed his head against the stairwell, ripped out his earring, left him handcuffed and bleeding. Nasrin screamed until she lost her voice. For years, Nasrin and Reza have tried to shield their children from the horrors of the regime, but in that moment it all collapsed. Yet Nasrin’s message is clear: she will not surrender. She will keep fighting for a future beyond this darkness. And we will stand with her. We will stand with Nima, with Reza, with the countless families shattered by this regime. Until the mullahs open the doors of Evin. Until no child goes up into the shadows of prison walls anymore. (The speaker concluded in a non-official language.)

    		  
       



    		 

      Victor Negrescu (S&D). – Domnule președinte, să cumpărăm local, să susținem producătorii și fermierii – asta spuneam în urmă cu câțiva ani, tot aici, în Parlamentul European. Între timp, am promovat o petiție aprobată de legislativul european, am interpelat comisia, am amendat legislația, am obținut fonduri europene suplimentare pentru fermierii și producătorii români și am îmbunătățit drepturile lucrătorilor din supermarketuri și ale celor care lucrează pentru platformele online.

    Extremiștii din România tăceau atunci și făceau cumpărături în magazine de lux. Nici acum nu vin cu vreo soluție viabilă, copiind și suindu-se pe un trend european pe care nici măcar nu îl înțeleg. Dincolo de gălăgia eurosugativelor suveraniste, avem responsabilitatea să ne concentrăm pe soluții: mai puțini intermediari, accesul micilor producători în supermarketuri, fără taxe de raft, susținerea brandurilor locale, mai puțină birocrație și subvenții mai mari pentru fermieri.

    Doar prin măsuri comune la nivel european putem să sprijinim micii fermieri. Să nu abordăm acest subiect cu populism! Să ne concentrăm pe soluții reale pentru oameni!

    		  
       

    		 

      Rody Tolassy (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, Haïti sombre dans le chaos absolu. Cinq mille morts en un an, des corps mutilés, brûlés, des massacres ciblés, un État en ruine, livré aux gangs, qui contrôlent 80 % de Port-au-Prince. Et pourtant, des milliards d’euros ont été investis pendant des décennies de coopération. Pour quel résultat? Éducation en lambeaux, insécurité alimentaire, dignité humaine piétinée. L’échec total.

    Ce chaos déborde. Une bombe migratoire menace nos territoires et tout le bassin caribéen. La pression devient insoutenable. L’Union européenne peut-elle cautionner, continuer de se cacher derrière des discours creux et des programmes inefficaces? Où sont les résultats? Quelles actions concrètes allons-nous prendre pour garantir la sécurité et la survie du peuple haïtien?

    Nous devons rompre avec cette logique d’échec. Exigeons des résultats immédiats de la mission multinationale et agissons. Une mission de codéveloppement immédiate est indispensable pour stabiliser Haïti et lui offrir un avenir.

    L’heure est à l’action, pas au constat.

    		  
       


    		 

      Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, este fin de semana en Madrid ha habido un cónclave de ultras, lo mejor de cada casa de la internacional reaccionaria. También se ha emitido una serie documental de una periodista, Mònica Terribas, sobre el Opus Dei, organización a la que muchos de ellos pertenecen. ¿Y qué relación tiene una cosa con la otra? Pues que mientras en su particular cruzada religiosa contra las comunidades musulmanas han puesto otra vez el grito en el cielo contra estas, en cambio, han callado, no han dicho nada, frente a los abusos que ese documental ha puesto sobre la mesa: amenazas, coacciones, secuestros, explotación laboral y sexista, privación de la libertad, etcétera.

    Ese es el modus operandi de una organización que actúa en más de sesenta países como una secta peligrosa, como una organización criminal, y desde Europa no podemos quedarnos callados: debemos actuar y dar protección a las víctimas, que puedan ejercer su derecho a la verdad, a la reparación y a la justicia, como hicieron los menores abusados sexualmente por la Iglesia católica.

    		  
       

    		 

      Carola Rackete (The Left). – Herr Präsident! Vor sieben Monaten hat das Berliner Kammergericht eine Person, Maja T., nach Ungarn ausgeliefert, und letzte Woche hat dann das Bundesverfassungsgericht Majas Beschwerde darüber stattgegeben und festgehalten, dass die Auslieferung ein schwerwiegender Eingriff in Majas Grundrecht ist, der immer noch andauert. Explizit genannt wurde in der Begründung die unmenschliche Behandlung in Ungarn, die gegen die EU-Grundrechtecharta verstößt. Frankreich und Italien haben sich in ähnlichen Fällen gegen Auslieferungen nach Ungarn entschieden.

    Maja T. ist seit sieben Monaten in Isolationshaft, und schon 15 Tage sind laut UN Folter. In der Zelle gibt es Kakerlaken und Bettwanzen. Die Dokumente für das Gerichtsverfahren wurden nicht übersetzt. Ich selbst habe Maja schon zweimal besucht, und auch die Justizbeamten haben mir gesagt, dass die Haftbedingungen von oben angeordnet wurden – und zwar, denke ich, weil Maja eine antifaschistisch motivierte Tat vorgeworfen wird. Die Forderung von 24 Jahren Haft ist ebenfalls politisch.

    Ich fordere alle europäischen Mitgliedstaaten auf, keine Menschen mehr nach Ungarn auszuliefern, denn wir wissen ja, wie die Haftbedingungen dort sind. Die deutsche Bundesregierung fordere ich auf, Maja T. so schnell wie möglich zurückzuholen.

    		  
       

    		 

      Δημήτρης Τσιόδρας (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, όλοι αναγνωρίζουμε ότι ζούμε σε ένα καινούργιο γεωπολιτικό και οικονομικό περιβάλλον. Επίσης, συζητάμε για τις μεγάλες προκλήσεις. Παράλληλα, όμως, θα πρέπει να δούμε και τις ευκαιρίες. Η Ευρώπη πορεύτηκε πάντα μέσα από δυσκολίες.

    Είναι ευκαιρία, λοιπόν, για κοινές πολιτικές. Να δώσουμε απαντήσεις στα ερωτήματα των πολιτών. Γιατί, όσο δεν δίνουν αυτές τις απαντήσεις οι φιλοευρωπαϊκές δυνάμεις, δίνουμε τον χώρο σε ακραίες φωνές, οι οποίες θέλουν επιστροφή στο παρελθόν.

    Πρέπει να δούμε πρώτα από όλα το ζήτημα της ασφάλειας και της άμυνας. Πρέπει οι Ευρωπαίοι πολίτες να αισθάνονται ασφαλείς. Πρέπει να νιώθουν ότι υπάρχουν κοινά ευρωπαϊκά σύνορα, τα οποία προστατεύονται. Πρέπει να υπάρχει κοινή δέσμευση στην άμυνα και παράλληλα να νιώθουν ότι, με τις πολιτικές που εφαρμόζονται σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο, εξασφαλίζεται ένα καλύτερο μέλλον για αυτούς και τα παιδιά τους. Οι καιροί δεν περιμένουν και είναι η ώρα να δράσουμε αποφασιστικά τώρα.

    		  
       

    		 

      Maria Grapini (S&D). – Domnule președinte, doamnă comisară, politica energetică pe care a făcut-o Comisia Europeană – nu dumneavoastră, cea care a fost – este dezastruoasă. Efectele asupra competitivității, mai ales pentru întreprinderile mici și mijlocii, se văd acum. Doamna comisară, vă propun să discutați în Colegiul comisarilor, să faceți o adevărată politică energetică.

    Nu se poate să închidem întâi producerea de energie, înainte de a avea alternativă. Și este clar că s-a intrat în criză. Atât timp cât întreprinderile din Uniunea Europeană plătesc de trei, patru ori mai mult prețul energiei decât cele din Statele Unite sau din Asia, evident că nu mai sunt competitive, evident că sunt într-o competiție inegală, evident că sunt scoase din piață.

    Așadar, politica energetică a Uniunii Europene trebuie făcută în sensul susținerii producției industriale. Avem un program de reindustrializare a Uniunii Europene. Cum să-l facem cu aceste costuri? Cel care face producție știe că inputurile sunt importante pentru prețul final. Sper, de la această Comisie, că într-adevăr – din păcate, avem același dirijor, pe același președinte al Comisiei – dar sper să puneți, într-adevăr, o strategie energetică pentru a crește competitivitatea Uniunii Europene.

    		  
       

    		 

      Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, l’industria dell’auto sta morendo sotto i colpi dell’estremismo green della Commissione europea e i responsabili sono seduti qui in quest’Aula.

    Invece di fare marcia indietro, però, vi siete inventati il dialogo strategico sull’automotive, che altro non è che fumo negli occhi e voi ne siete i primi ad essere consapevoli. Riunioni avvolte nella nebbia, lontane da occhi indiscreti, nessuna agenda pubblica, nessun obiettivo preciso. E come finirà? Ve lo dico io: in chiacchiere da bar, che servono solo a pulirvi la coscienza, più che a dare risposte concrete a uno dei settori più strategici dell’industria europea, che voi avete messo in ginocchio.

    Invece di tante inutili conferenze e riunioni segrete, fate l’unica cosa che vi chiedono i cittadini europei: cancellate lo stop ai motori tradizionali al 2035, mettete fine alla stagione dell’ideologia green e diamo inizio a quella del pragmatismo.

    		  
       

    		 

      Andi Cristea (S&D). – Domnule președinte, tehnologia informațională accelerează până la derapaje toate procesele sociale, politice, economice, cu care noi suntem obișnuiți. Ăsta este motivul pentru care astăzi, în același timp, lucrurile sunt mult mai bune decât erau în trecut, dar și mult mai rele.

    Domnule președinte, avem nevoie să echipăm cetățenii europeni cu modele mentale, cu instrumente cognitive care să le ofere posibilitatea să navigheze cu succes acest nou mediu informațional.

    Propunerea mea pentru Comisia Europeană și îndemnul meu este să folosim bani europeni, pentru programe europene de alfabetizare digitală, alfabetizare tehnologică și alfabetizare media – sunt singurele modalități prin care vom avea cetățeni pregătiți pentru ziua de mâine. Acesta este apelul meu și vă îndemn să acționați!

    		  
       

    		 

      Virginie Joron (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, grâce à Donald Trump, nous apprenons que la BBC est financée par les Américains, mais aussi par Bruxelles: 1,3 million de livres en 2023. Un chiffre invisible dans le système de transparence financière de la Commission, qui indique 39 millions d’euros payés à la chaîne anglaise depuis 2014.

    Pourquoi Bruxelles finance des médias? Est-ce que Reactive, un média europhile, peut critiquer la Commission s’il reçoit 36 millions d’euros de la part de la Commission?

    Pourquoi financer des médias étrangers?

    Pourquoi financer Internews, dont personne n’a jamais entendu parler, qui reçoit de l’argent de M. Soros ou de lobbys des vaccins? À Paris, leur bureau rue Jeanne d’Arc est désert. Pourtant, Bruxelles leur aurait versé 72 millions d’euros et les Américains, via USAID, près d’un demi-milliard de dollars. Sa présidente gagnerait près de 400 000 dollars par an et, l’année dernière, à Davos, elle a recommandé de démonétiser des sites d’information en développant des listes d’exclusion de publicités.

    La Commission doit nous expliquer et surtout doit cesser ces subventions occultes de contrôle des médias et de corruption potentielle.

    		  
       

    		 

      Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señor presidente, cada semana que transcurre continúan llegando a Canarias esas embarcaciones frágiles, repletas de personas desesperadas que provienen del continente africano. Canarias es Unión Europea, pero continúan llegando también al Caribe las embarcaciones repletas de cadáveres de aquellos desdichados que no lo consiguieron.

    Y la lección de tanta tragedia es imperativa: urge que la Comisión acelere la plena aplicación de todas las leyes obligatorias para los Estados miembros que componen el Pacto sobre Migración y Asilo y, particularmente, que acelere la puesta en marcha del coordinador de la UE para la solidaridad, que permita una redistribución ordenada, justa, equitativa y solidaria de aquellas personas en situación muy vulnerable: mujeres con menores, mujeres víctimas de trata y de explotación de personas, y menores no acompañados, que requieren también en España solidaridad, impedida hasta la fecha por la oposición de la derecha.

    Urge una reforma legal que la haga posible, pero sobre todo urge que la Comisión exija a todos los Estados miembros el cumplimiento de sus obligaciones con el Pacto y diga con claridad que no es admisible que un jefe de Gobierno —como hemos oído esta semana a Donald Tusk en Polonia— diga que no va a aplicar el Pacto sobre Migración y Asilo, como si ignorase que el Derecho europeo es obligatorio en su primacía y en su eficacia directa para todos los Estados miembros.

    		  
       

    		 

      Valérie Deloge (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, un nouveau scandale éclabousse les institutions européennes. La Commission européenne a financé des ONG dites environnementales pour faire pression en faveur du pacte vert. Ce green deal, symbole de l’écologie punitive, veut imposer plus de normes, restreindre les agriculteurs et les entreprises et interdire les moteurs thermiques en 2035.

    Des millions d’euros d’argent public ont été utilisés via le programme LIFE et distribués à des lobbies. Objectif: influencer les décisions du Parlement européen et les députés, manipuler les débats et durcir la législation verte.

    Le commissaire à l’agriculture, M. Hansen, incarne cette dérive. Chargé de préparer une vision sur l’agriculture et l’alimentation, il consulte Greenpeace, WWF, BirdLife. Mais où sont les agriculteurs? Qui écoute ceux qui nous nourrissent?

    Pendant que ces groupes dictent la politique agricole, les vrais acteurs de terrain sont méprisés, ignorés. L’Europe n’a pas à être gouvernée par des lobbies qui ne produisent rien, mais qui veulent tout contrôler. Les amis de Mme Von Der Leyen, qui n’ont jamais semé un grain de blé, ni produit un litre de lait, n’ont pas à nous imposer leur utopie.

    Ce scandale rappelle d’autres affaires, comme le Qatargate ou les financements troubles d’associations islamistes proches des Frères musulmans. Stop, Bruxelles doit rendre des comptes! Le Parquet européen ainsi que les autorités antifraude doivent faire toute la lumière sur ces affaires. Nous ne lâcherons rien.

    		  
       


    		 

      Gabriela Firea (S&D). – Domnule președinte, dragi colegi, în România este cutremur politic. Președintele României și-a dat demisia și avem mai bine de trei luni de când agenda publică este ocupată doar de incertitudine. Însă nu trebuie să uităm adevăratul cutremur, mișcare telurică, ce ne poate lovi oricând.

    Nu vreau să induc panică, dar este un avertisment al specialiștilor: 7 din 10 români trăiesc în zone cu pericol seismic. Sunt copii care învață în școli nesigure, familii care dorm în blocuri fragile, pacienți care merg să se trateze în spitale pericol public. Și totuși, în ultimii 5 ani, în România și în București, unul dintre cele mai expuse orașe, aproape nimic nu s-a consolidat. În martie se împlinesc 48 de ani de la ultimul mare cutremur.

    Da, există un miliard de euro alocat, dar acești bani acoperă doar 55 de clădiri, adică doar 5 % din necesar. Birocrația sufocă măsuri vitale. Fondurile europene sunt insuficient folosite. Și să nu uităm cel mai important lucru: acești bani nu sunt pentru beton și pentru pereți, sunt pentru a proteja oamenii, sunt pentru viață.

    De aceea, fac un apel clar: Europa, care și-a asumat protecția cetățenilor săi, trebuie să acționeze acum: fonduri suplimentare, mecanisme simple, prevenție reală, iar autoritățile locale să folosească la maximum resursele financiare ale Uniunii Europene!

    		  

    17. Agenda of the next sitting

    		 

      El presidente. – La próxima sesión tendrá lugar mañana, martes 11 de febrero de 2025, a las 9.00 horas.

    El orden del día se ha publicado y está disponible en el sitio web del Parlamento Europeo.

    		  

    18. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

    		 

      El presidente. – El Acta de la presente sesión se someterá a la aprobación del Parlamento mañana al comienzo de la tarde.

    		  

    19. Closure of the sitting

       

    (Se levanta la sesión a las 22.08 horas).

    		  

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia – B10-0116/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Michał Kobosko, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    B10‑0116/2025

    European Parliament resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia

    (2025/2522(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia, in particular its resolution of 9 October 2024 on the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia[1], and of 28 November 2024 on Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud[2],

    – having regard to the joint statement by the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus and the Standing Rapporteur for Georgia of 29 November 2024 on the Georgian government’s decision to pause its accession to the European Union,

    – having regard to the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part[3],

    – having regard to the Council conclusions of 17 December 2024 on Enlargement,

    – having regard to the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos of 1 December 2024 on Georgia,

    – having regard to the joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Poland on 31 December 2024,

    – having regard to Rules 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas at the end of November 2024, Irakli Kobakhidze announced the decision by Georgian Dream not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and to reject EU financial support until 2028, thus violating Georgia’s Constitution; whereas part of this funding had, in reality, already been suspended by the Commission on account of Georgia not fulfilling the nine criteria for starting the accession process, as set out by the Commission communication of 8 November 2023 on EU Enlargement Policy (COM(2023)6900);

    B. whereas this announcement followed the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024, which failed to meet international democratic standards and Georgia’s commitments as a participating state of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe; whereas Parliament strongly condemned widespread electoral violations, did not recognise the results of the elections, and called for new elections in an improved electoral environment;

    C. whereas the current Georgian regime, led by the Georgian Dream party and its founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has orchestrated an unconstitutional usurpation of power, systematically dismantling democratic institutions, undermining judicial independence and eroding fundamental freedoms, thereby deepening Georgia’s political and constitutional crisis; whereas this illegitimate consolidation of power has sparked massive grassroots protests, with hundreds of thousands of citizens peacefully demonstrating every evening throughout the country in support of democratic values and European integration;

    D. whereas the protests have been met with an alarming escalation of state violence, repression and democratic backsliding, with arbitrary detentions of activists, opposition leaders and journalists, and targeted violence by police and informal groups linked to Georgian Dream, and with over 50 political prisoners currently being detained; whereas civil society organisations and the Public Defender of Georgia report credible cases of torture and inhumane treatment without accountability;

    E. whereas riot police deliberately lacking force identification numbers have forcefully dispersed protesters with tear gas and water cannons; whereas numerous journalists reported being targeted and beaten, and having their equipment destroyed and personal items stolen; whereas dozens of protesters were brutally assaulted, and several hundred people were arrested; whereas Georgia’s Public Defender has revealed that 80 % of those detained reported experiencing violence and inhumane treatment at the hands of law enforcement officers;

    F. whereas independent media outlets, such as TV Formula, TV Mtavari and TV Pirveli, face severe operational and financial constraints due to the regime’s interference, while dozens of media representatives are being subjected to various forms of intense physical and psychological pressure; whereas Ivanishvili’s regime and its propagandists continue to disseminate anti-EU disinformation based on lies and conspiracies about the ‘Global War Party’ and ‘Deep State’;

    G. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, director of the prominent independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was unlawfully arrested twice in January 2025 and is facing politically motivated charges that highlight the misuse of the justice system to suppress dissent; whereas the Public Defender has contested Amaglobeli’s pre-trial detention, citing insufficient evidence and procedural violations of Georgian law and European Court of Human Rights decisions; whereas Mzia Amaglobeli has been on hunger strike since her arrest, and her health has deteriorated, putting her life at risk;

    H. whereas on the night of 14 January 2025, Giorgi Gakharia, opposition leader of the For Georgia party and former Prime Minister, and Zviad Koridze, journalist and Transparency International activist, were physically assaulted by Georgian Dream officials in separate incidents at the same venue in Batumi;

    I. whereas on 2 February 2025, Nika Melia, a leader of the pro-European Akhali party, and Gigi Ugulava, the former mayor of Tbilisi, were arrested during the anti-government protests and subjected to physical violence in detention;

    J. whereas recent amendments by Georgia’s Parliament to the Criminal Code, to the Code of Administrative Offences and to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations severely restrict freedoms of assembly and expression, expand police powers and introduce penalties for verbal insults of government officials, public servants and law enforcement officers, enabling widespread repression and further undermining democratic rights; whereas these measures, which impose disproportionately harsh punishments, are a direct attack on rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution of Georgia ;

    K. whereas new decrees criminalising road blockades aim to intimidate citizens and suppress peaceful assembly; whereas the de facto authorities have increased the maximum term of administrative detention to 60 days and have banned protests in indoor spaces; whereas Georgian Dream has announced plans to introduce new laws targeting media and civil society organisations;

    L. whereas on 14 December 2024, in a process lacking democratic legitimacy, the electoral college controlled by Georgian Dream elected former football player Mikheil Kavelashvili, the sole nominated candidate, as President of Georgia; whereas the EU and most Member States have not formally recognised this sham election; whereas President Salomé Zourabichvili left the presidential palace of her own volition while stating that she would remain in office until new elections are held;

    M. whereas Georgian Dream has announced its intention to introduce new restrictive measures in the coming months, such as a media law that would limit the possibility of receiving financial support from foreign sources, and other measures that include the removal of mandatory civil society participation from the public decision-making process, the further tightening of restrictions on civil society organisations through the adoption of another version of the ‘foreign agent’ law, forcing them to register foreign funds, the tightening of drug policy and legislation, and of juvenile justice, and the banning of civil servants from participating in international projects; whereas the intended education reform, in particular the ‘transformation’ of the university system, targets opposition-minded professors and students; whereas Georgian Dream’s propaganda falsely presents some of the proposed legislative changes as mirroring similar legislation in Western democratic countries;

    N. whereas from the very beginning of its activity, the current Georgian Parliament operates as a one-party (Georgian Dream) organ, which is incompatible with the essence of pluralistic parliamentary democracy; whereas at a plenary session on 5 February 2025, Georgia’s illegitimate parliament voted to strip 49 opposition members of parliament of their mandates, so as to remove their immunity and facilitate their arrest and prosecution, while the remaining parliamentary opposition party, Gakharia for Georgia, has remained in parliament but is boycotting parliamentary activities; whereas the same parliament established a commission to punish former ruling party United National Movement;

    O. whereas the Member States have agreed to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian officials holding diplomatic passports but failed to impose personal sanctions in response to the continued crackdown; whereas several Member States, including Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Czechia, have imposed bilateral sanctions on some Georgian politicians, judges and other officials responsible for the brutal crackdown on protesters, as well as violations of human rights and abuse of the rule of law;

    P. whereas oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Georgian Dream leader, who holds EU citizenship and owns properties and assets in the EU, wields considerable influence over Georgia’s economy and has played a defining role in the country’s democratic backsliding and in undermining its Euro-Atlantic orientation;

    Q. whereas the shift away from EU aspirations has coincided with a move towards Russia-aligned foreign policy and Russian-style laws; whereas there are reports of EU sanctions targeting Russia being circumvented through the Tbilisi Free Zone;

    R. whereas in December 2024, the United States sanctioned Bidzina Ivanishvili, alongside Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri and Deputy Head of the Special Tasks Department Mirza Kezevadze, for their involvement in brutal crackdowns on media representatives, opposition figures and protesters; whereas the UK and Ukraine imposed similar sanctions on high-level Georgian officials; whereas Ivanishvili, through hastily adopted laws tailored to his personal situation, is moving his offshore assets to Georgia in anticipation of further sanctions;

    S. whereas despite international condemnation, the illegitimate Georgian Government has awarded medals to officials involved in the crackdown;

    T. whereas the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has imposed conditions on the Georgian Dream regime including new elections and the release of political prisoners, prompting Georgia to suspend its participation in PACE;

    1. Condemns the violent repression of protesters, the media and opposition leaders; demands the immediate release of all detainees and an end to political persecution and torture, emphasising the need to uphold fundamental rights in line with Georgia’s Constitution and its international obligations;

    2. Recalls that the adoption of anti-democratic laws had effectively suspended Georgia’s EU integration process; demands the repeal of the legislation undermining the rule of law and a pluralistic democracy, including laws on the ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and on ‘family values and protection of minors’ and the newly adopted laws severely restricting the freedom of peaceful assembly and targeting the civil service; regrets the authoritarian illegal power grab of the current Georgian Dream regime and the betrayal of the Georgian people’s pro-European aspirations;

    3. Condemns the propaganda of Georgian Dream and its justification of repressive laws against civil society and independent media on the pretext that the same laws apply in democratic Western countries, and reiterates its call for the immediate repeal of anti-democratic laws;

    4. Reiterates its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspirations and their desire for a prosperous and democratic country that upholds fundamental freedoms and human rights and guarantees an independent media and free and fair elections; notes that anti-government and pro-European protests in Georgia have continued for more than 70 consecutive days; urges the Georgian de facto authorities to protect citizens’ right to assemble, and to refrain from using unwarranted force against them;

    5. Reiterates its rejection of the legitimacy of the October 2024 elections and the subsequent Georgian Dream government; considers Georgia as a state captured by the illegitimate Georgian Dream regime; calls for the EU and its Member States, as well as national parliaments and interparliamentary institutions, not to recognise the legitimacy of the current Georgian Dream one-party parliament and the President, appointed on 14 December 2024; continues to recognise Salomé Zourabichvili as the legitimate President of Georgia and representative of the Georgian people; calls for the EU and its Member States to uphold this recognition and to fully support her efforts aimed at settling the current political and constitutional crisis in Georgia;

    6. Underlines that the settlement of the current political and constitutional crisis in Georgia can be achieved only by way of new, free and fair parliamentary elections, with the process conducted in an improved electoral environment by an independent and impartial election administration, under international observation;

    7. Calls for the EU and its Member States not to include Georgian officials in international meetings and to suspend high-level engagements until the political and constitutional crisis is resolved; calls for the EU and the Member States issue clear statements of non-recognition of the illegitimate authorities and call for new elections; welcomes PACE’s decision to challenge the credentials of Georgia’s parliamentary delegation due to democratic backsliding and human rights abuses;

    8. Calls for the immediate release of Mzia Amaglobeli from detention as well as a thorough investigation into the ill treatment she endured during and after her arrest;

    9. Condemns the politically motivated assaults on Giorgi Gakharia and Zviad Koridze and the arrests of and violence against Nika Melia and Gigi Ugulava as a concerning escalation of political violence, recognising them as part of broader efforts to intimidate opposition figures and undermine democratic processes in Georgia;

    10. Calls for the EU and all Member States to join the US and the UK in immediately imposing effective and comprehensive personal sanctions – at the EU level if possible, and otherwise on a bilateral and coordinated basis – on officials and political leaders in Georgia who are responsible for democratic backsliding, violations of electoral laws and standards, administrative abuses, violence and inhumane treatment, as well as on judges issuing politically motivated sentences, media propagandists and members of the business elite who tacitly or openly support the regime; reiterates its call for the EU and its Member States to impose sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, his family and his companies and to strip him of honorific titles and orders for his role in the severe deterioration of the political process in Georgia;

    11. Emphasises that respect for fundamental rights is vital to the EU’s visa liberalisation benchmarks; reiterates its call on the Commission and the Council to review Georgia’s visa-free status, with the possibility of suspension if it is considered that EU standards on democratic governance and freedoms are not being upheld;

    12. Expresses alarm at the climate of intimidation and polarisation fuelled by Georgian Dream representatives; underlines that anything but the full restoration of Georgia’s democratic standards will entail a further deterioration of EU-Georgia relations and result in additional sanctions;

    13. Expresses its concern about recent announcements by Georgian Dream on introducing new legislation, such as a new media law, aimed at further tightening the rights and freedoms of civil society and independent media;

    14. Supports the Council’s decision to redirect funding from the Georgian authorities to civil society; urges the EU institutions responsible to accelerate the process of providing grants to civil society, grassroots movements and independent media, especially since slow EU processes and recently frozen support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) are putting the activities of many civil society organisations and media channels at risk; calls for the EU and its Member States to increase their support to Georgian civil society and ensure it effectively benefits the media outlets currently threatened with closure;

    15. Reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds for the purpose of seeking medical treatment abroad;

    16. Calls on the President of the European Council to invite President Zourabichvili to represent Georgia at an upcoming European Council meeting and at the next meeting of the European Political Community;

    17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the de facto authorities of Georgia.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Cramer Introduce Bill to Protect Legal Industries from Debanking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to introduce the Fair Access to Banking Act to protect access to financial services and ensure banks operate in a safe, sound manner. The legislation requires that lending and financial services decisions be based on impartial, risk-based analysis – not political or reputational favoritism.

    “Financial services are vital to the success of all businesses and should be based on sound data and risk management –– not as a means to target certain industries or political issues,” said Boozman. I am proud to support legislation that curtails unfair efforts to block lawful businesses’ access to banking due to political beliefs or affiliations and instead restores reliance on proper analytical criteria. 

    “When progressives failed at banning these entire industries, what they did instead is they turned to weaponizing banks as sort of a backdoor to carry out their activist goals,” said Cramer. “Financial institutions are backed by taxpayers, for crying out loud! They should be obligated to provide services in an unbiased, risk-based manner. The Fair Access to Banking Act ensures that banks provide fair access to services and enacts strict penalties for categorically discriminating against legal industries and individuals.”

    Specifically, this legislation penalizes banks and credit unions with over $10 billion in total consolidated assets, or their subsidiaries, if they refuse to do business with any legally compliant, credit-worthy person. It also prevents payment card networks from discriminating against any qualified person because of political or reputational considerations. The bill requires qualified banks to provide written justification for why they are denying a person financial services. Further, the Fair Access to Banking Act would penalize providers who fail to comply with the law by disqualifying institutions from using discount window lending programs, terminating status as an insured depository institution or credit union, or imposing a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. 

    The bill is based on President Trump’s Fair Access Rule, which was introduced during his first administration and required financial institutions to make individual risk assessments rather than broad decisions regarding entire industries or categories of customers. The Biden administration paused the rule’s implementation in early 2021.

    The Fair Access to Banking Act is endorsed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, The Digital Chamber, Blockchain Association, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Online Lenders Alliance, Day 1 Alliance, GEO Group, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and the National Mining Association.

    The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

    Click here for full text of the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests TdA gang member suspected in Chicago mass shooting

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    RALEIGH, N.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Ricardo Padillia-Granadillo, 24, an illegally present Venezuelan national, Feb. 8 in Raleigh.

    Granadillo, a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang and a suspect in a mass shooting in Chicago, was wanted on federal charges for illegal entry into the United States and had a warrant for his arrest.

    Granadillo illegally entered the U.S. near El Paso, Texas, Oct. 1, 2022, and was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol, paroled into the country and given a notice to appear. He failed to show up for his immigration appointment scheduled for Sept. 12, 2024, and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued an arrest warrant.

    Law enforcement officers with ICE, Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Granadillo the evening of Feb. 8 at a residence in Raleigh without incident. Officers found a handgun, ammunition and 10 other Venezuelan aliens in the house while conducting the arrest operation.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety on X at @ICEgov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Perrytown Coach Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of Teenage Student

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A Perrytown ISD coach who sexually abused a 15-year-old student was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham.

    Cole Underwood, 29, was charged via criminal complaint in June 2024 and indicted later that same month. In September 2024, he pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor. He was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to 30 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. 

    According to court documents, Perryton ISD’s superintendent reached out to law enforcement in May 2024 to report a possible inappropriate relationship between Mr. Underwood and a female student. According to the superintendent, surveillance video allegedly showed Mr. Underwood meeting with the girl alone after hours, despite being given a specific directive not to be alone with her.

    Agents reviewed the footage and observed Mr. Underwood propping an exterior door open and then shutting off lights. Approximately 15 minutes later, the girl entered the darkened building through the propped door and walked into Mr. Underwood’s office.

    In interviews with law enforcement, the child said Mr. Underwood had sex with her in his office more than a dozen times between February and May.

    She said that after she added him as a contact on Snapchat, he established a personal friendship with her, and even invited her to his office to confide in him. She said that Mr. Underwood began messaging her in a flirtatious and sexual manner in December, and eventually used Snapchat to arrange sexual encounters.

    A search of the girl’s cell phone revealed multiple late-night conversations – some lasting more than six hours – between her and Mr. Underwood, who allegedly occasionally referred to the child as “wifey” and told her he loved her.

    At Thursday’s sentencing hearing, the student detailed how the situation escalated from the defendant acting as a confidant during a stressful period to isolating her and continually pressuring her for sex:

    “I had no idea that he was slowly in the process of grooming me, I genuinely thought that he actually cared about me,” she said in a victim impact statement. “I didn’t know how to stop it… He convinced me to shut everyone out. I felt like I seriously had no one but him.”

    “I hope if there is a girl out there who is going through what I have been through, she has the chance to hear my story to know it’s okay to speak up. There are people who want to help,” she bravely added. “Just because you have one bad chapter does not mean your story is over.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Amarillo Resident Agency, the Ochiltree County Sheriff’s Office, and the Perrytown Police Department conducted the investigation with the full cooperation of the Perryton Independent School District. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Carolina Drug Trafficker Helping Move Kilograms of Cocaine Sentenced to More than Six Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – A South Carolina man who was part of a large drug trafficking organization (DTO) moving kilogram quantities of cocaine in the United States was sentenced to 78 months in prison. On October 31, 2024, Gerardo Calzada, age 34, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and aiding and abetting.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, in 2020, officers with the Apex Police Department began an investigation into an individual trafficking drugs in the area.  As the investigation progressed, other agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Authority (DEA) became involved. Calzada was identified, along with others, as an individual who was provided drugs to distribute on behalf of the DTO. During a surveillance operation on July 26, 2023, Calzada was observed driving another DTO member to a meeting behind a local Food Lion, where the other DTO member was handed a paper bag. After Calzado and his passenger departed the parking lot, they were stopped by Johnston County Sheriff’s deputies. A consensual search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine found inside two cereal boxes, a digital scale, a drug ledger, and money transmittal receipts to Guerrero, Mexico, and to Cortes, Honduras. During an interview with agents, Calzado admitted to travelling from South Carolina to purchase cocaine and also indicated that he had met with couriers on at least ten occasions.

    This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The DEA, the Apex Police Department and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Sandling  prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-00133-D-RJ.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Sentencing for Violent Confrontation That Turned Nearly Fatal

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man has been sentenced to 102 months in prison for shooting a victim multiple times and leaving him seriously injured.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, Robert Abeyta, 51, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, went to John Doe’s residence located on the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo armed with a loaded pistol and confronted Doe. When Doe, who has law enforcement experience, attempted to disarm Abeyta, a struggle ensued during which Abeyta shot Doe multiple times in the head, neck, and shoulder.

    Witnesses reported that Abeyta continued to assault Doe after the shooting. Neighbors intervened, disarming Abeyta and restraining him until law enforcement arrived. Doe’s girlfriend and young child were inside the home during the shooting and witnessed its immediate aftermath.

    Upon his release from prison, Abeyta will be subject to three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Ohkay Owingeh Police Department and Santa Clara Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meg Tomlinson is prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Recidivist Violent Gang Member Charged with Alleged Armed Robbery

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant allegedly robbed drug customer of approximately $24,000 in drug proceeds at gunpoint during home invasion

    BOSTON – A Lynn man appeared in federal court yesterday in connection with charges involving a January 2023 armed robbery of a drug distributor, during which the defendant and another individual allegedly stole approximately $24,000 in drug trafficking proceeds intended for the purchase of a kilogram of cocaine.

    Claudio Melo, a/k/a “Blue Drilla,” 33, was charged with one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). Melo is currently being held on unrelated state charges.

    It is alleged that Melo is a Crip Street gang member and, according to court documents, is a convicted felon, having served various state prison sentences including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property.

    According to the charging documents, on Jan. 30, 2023, a drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. It is alleged that, during the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. According to the charging documents, the $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in, which had been paced in an unmarked soft black lunch box on a table. Melo and the other individual then allegedly forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash.

    The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Violent Armed Robber Who Stalked, Kidnapped, and Robbed Victims in Virginia and Maryland Is Sentenced to 228 Months in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON – Tyree Eugene McCombs, 29, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 228 months in federal prison for his role in the September 2022 stalking, armed robbery, and kidnapping of a pair of victims in Alexandria, Virginia, and for the November 2022 stalking, kidnapping, robbery, and shooting of a woman in Maryland and Washington, D.C. 

               The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. 

              McCombs pleaded guilty on August 14, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, to one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (a “Hobbs Act” robbery) for the September 2022 offense, and to one count of kidnapping for the November 2022 offense. In addition to the 228-month prison-term, Judge Berman Jackson ordered McCombs to serve five years of supervised release. 

               According to court documents, in September and November 2022, McCombs and his co-conspirators twice executed plans to surveil, stalk, forcibly detain, bind, assault, and rob women at gunpoint. McCombs was a leader in both schemes, personally stalking the victims, holding them at gunpoint, physically assaulting them, and demanding that they pay their own ransoms. In each case, the kidnapping was abruptly cut short either by the sound of an alarm (September) or the victim’s daring escape (November).

               During the first incident, on the evening on September 3, 2022, the two victims entered their car – a black Mercedes S63 AMG Sedan – and drove from Alexandria, Virginia to a family gathering in Maryland. Unbeknownst to the victims, they were being electronically surveilled. A GPS tracking device purchased by McCombs had been placed inside the Mercedes. That night, McCombs and three co-conspirators laid in wait for nearly four hours for the victims to return home to their apartment building in Alexandria. As the couple returned to their building, McCombs and his co-conspirators, wearing masks and blue surgical gloves and carrying zip ties, ambushed them with handguns and robbed them of their most valuable belongings.

               McCombs and his crew stole two Audemars Piguet watches worth about $120,000 from the couple and another $63,500 worth of jewelry, including a Cuban link chain and a custom pendant with the letters “GQ” overlaid on a speedometer. McCombs and his co-conspirators took the keys to the victim’s Mercedes then forced the victims at gunpoint from the parking garage to the victims’ apartment.

               Once inside of the apartment, McCombs and his co-conspirators pistol-whipped the victims and ordered them to tell them where their money was hidden. The co-conspirators ransacked the residence but were unable to find any cash. During the crime, a security alarm activated, and the co-conspirators tore the alarm from the wall and fled the apartment. McCombs and his co-conspirators then fled the apartment complex in a stolen white Kia as well as the victim’s Mercedes, which still had the GPS tracking device inside. The co-conspirators drove the Mercedes into Washington, D.C. then abandoned the vehicle in Maryland, where it was found by law enforcement. About a month later, on October 10, 2022, McCombs sold the custom pendant, worth tens of thousands of dollars, to a pawn shop in Maryland for $200.

               On the night of November 7, 2022, McCombs led another kidnapping and robbery, this time targeting and abducting a 25-year-old woman in Maryland. At the time of this crime, McCombs was on supervised release for a 2019 attempted armed robbery conviction and, two weeks earlier, had been ordered to wear a GPS monitor. McCombs’s GPS data showed that he stalked the woman for hours through the evening of November 7, following her from work to a family member’s home to a bank. Eventually, the victim traveled by car to an apartment building in Elkridge, Maryland. McCombs and a co-conspirator, traveling in a carjacked Toyota Camry, followed her to the Elkridge apartment.

               As the victim exited her vehicle and began to enter the building, McCombs and his co-conspirator grabbed her and forced her into the back seat of the Camry at gunpoint. The kidnappers pistol-whipped the victim, robbed her, and bound her hands behind her back using a black plastic zip tie. McCombs and his co-conspirator then held the woman captive in the vehicle for nearly three hours, driving to various locations in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Surveillance video footage from a gas station in Forestville, Maryland, captured McCombs and his co-conspirator exiting the Camry with the victim still held inside. As McCombs walked into the gas station to purchase gas, the co-conspirator entered the back seat of the vehicle and sexually assaulted the victim. After leaving the gas station, the kidnappers, who had already taken a significant amount of cash and property from the victim, repeatedly demanded to know “who she could call to save her life, that could get more money,” while threatening to kill her.

            The victim, believing she was going to be killed, used her foot to open a rear door of the vehicle, pushed open the door, and, after struggling with McCombs, jumped out of the moving vehicle. As she sprinted down the street, McCombs and the co-conspirator fired at least five gunshots at her, striking her twice in the foot. Within minutes of the shooting, law enforcement identified McCombs based on his GPS data. They located and arrested McCombs, who was still wearing the GPS monitor, several hours later.

               This case was investigated by FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. The Fairfax County Police Department, Howard County Police Department, and Metropolitan Police Department assisted with the investigation. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Mayer-Dempsey and Charles R. Jones.

    McCombs (center) and his co-conspirators carry the Alexandria victims’ shoes and handbag in the hallway of the apartment building.

    Crime scene photograph taken inside the Alexandria apartment where McCombs’s first victims resided.

    Still images of McCombs and his co-conspirator abducting a woman at gunpoint in Maryland on November 7, 2022.

    McCombs (right) and a co-conspirator talk at the gas station in Forestville, MD, as the victim remains captive in the back seat of a carjacked Toyota Camry.

    22cr377

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raleigh-area Drug Trafficker Who Tried to Flush Drugs Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – A Fuquay Varina man who was part of a large drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in and around Raleigh was sentenced to 138 months in prison for drug trafficking after attempting to flush cocaine down his toilet.  On November 19, 2024, David Weaver, age 46, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, in 2022, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) initiated an investigation into a DTO which distributed firearms, marijuana, and kilogram quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Weaver was identified, along with others, as an individual who was provided drugs to distribute on behalf of the DTO.  On May 23, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Weaver’s Raleigh residence. Weaver was encountered as he exited the bathroom after a failed attempt to flush cocaine down the toilet.  During the search, the following items were seized: a loaded 9mm pistol; 102 rounds of 9mm ammunition; cocaine; crack cocaine; marijuana; and more than $11,000 in cash.

    This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. ATF and RPD investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Sandling prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-00134-D-BM-18.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston Woman Sentenced to Three Tears in Prison for Armed Robberies of Postal Workers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Boston woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for the armed robberies of United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers on Nov. 29, 2022 in Mattapan, Mass. and Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park, Mass.

    Myesha Lewis, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dennis F. Saylor IV to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2024, Lewis pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States, aiding and abetting and two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, aiding and abetting. In May 2023, Lewis was indicted by a federal grand jury along with co-defendant Kenneth Demosthene.

    USPS has seen a rise in the use of arrow keys to facilitate the theft of U.S. Mail. An arrow key is a specific key designed to open designated blue USPS collection boxes in a specific area. These arrow keys are the property of USPS and it is a federal offense for an unauthorized person to possess one. According to data from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service headquarters, from 2019 through 2022, there was a 512% increase year over year in arrow key robberies from letter carriers nationwide – rising from 64 robberies in 2019 to approximately 412 robberies in 2022. In 2023 the Postal Service reported 605 Arrow key robberies – a 49% increase in robberies over the previous year. In the last two years, 89 postal carriers were significantly injured during these robberies and at least one carrier was killed.

    On Nov. 29, 2022, in Mattapan, Lewis and Demosthene forcibly robbed a USPS letter carrier of an arrow key. Demosthene approached the letter carrier and said, “I’m going to need your master key,” before reaching into the letter carrier’s mail satchel and grabbing the arrow key. The key was secured around the letter carrier’s belt with a brass chain. The force used to physically break the brass chain caused the letter carrier to be pulled off the front steps. Lewis and Demosthene then fled the scene in a rental vehicle.

    On Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park, Lewis and Demosthene robbed another USPS letter carrier of an arrow key at knife point. Demosthene approached the USPS letter carrier and said, “Give me your f****** arrow key.” The letter carrier put their hands in the air as the defendants attempted to remove the arrow key, at first by force pulling at the chain. Lewis and Demosthene then attempted to cut it with the knife, eventually breaking it loose and fleeing the scene on foot.  

    In October 2024, Demosthene was sentenced to three years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend Belize on Advancing Education for Women and Girls, Raise Questions on Gang Warfare and Gender-Based Violence and on Female Healthcare

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the combined fifth to ninth periodic report of Belize, with Committee Experts commending the State for advancing education for women and girls, while raising questions on gender-based violence in the context of gang warfare and on access to healthcare for women and girls.

    A Committee Expert commended the State party for advancing the rights of women and girls to education, including through the creation of the Belize Education Upliftment Programme launched to improve access to education for students from low-income households. Additionally, the Committee commended the State party for introducing compulsory psychosocial support sessions for children aged five and six, aimed at building their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and positive behaviours for building relationships.

    Another Expert said the pervasive gender-based violence in Belize needed to be considered in the context of high levels of insecurity, and of proliferation of firearms and their possession and use by criminal networks and armed gangs. About 65 per cent of women and girls who were murdered were victims of gender-related murders or femicide, and 50 per cent of these murders were committed with firearms. What measures would the State party undertake to guarantee quality support services for women survivors of gender-based violence? Another Expert said gang warfare had impacted many women in Belize, including putting them at risk of gender-based violence. How did the Government ensure services for gang-impacted women?

    A Committee Expert said the Committee appreciated that the Government had removed all fees in public hospitals and was very impressed at the recent decision to waive all taxes on female sanitary products. Could statistics on minor girls’ pregnancies and births be provided? What did the State party plan to do to fight the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy? It was concerning that abortion was only permitted in a few circumstances. Did the State party plan to change its criminal law so women and girls could safely access services to terminate unplanned pregnancy? Could statistics on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS be provided? Was radiotherapy, including for breast cancer, still not available in the country?

    The delegation said Belize was carrying out measures to tackle gun violence and drug imports, including through daily policing efforts and conducting regular border checks. There was a close connection between gangs, drugs and guns. Significant work was being done to reach out to vulnerable communities and youth, guiding them away from guns. Interventions and mediations between rival groups was carried out to enhance the security of citizens. Efforts had been made to strengthen reporting around gender-based violence and gun violence. While the data was available, there needed to be further analysis. The State would focus efforts on this.

    The delegation said Belize had taken steps to address the legal and procedural barriers in women’s health services, particularly in regard to access to medical termination of pregnancy. The Government had invested over 200,000 USD in providing contraceptives. Mobile health clinics continued to be implemented within all villages. Mothers received counselling before contraceptives were provided, ensuring informed decision-making. The Government recognised the challenges faced by women in accessing comprehensive cancer care, including the lack of radiotherapy, requiring travelling abroad. Radiotherapy was not feasible for in-country infrastructure, and the Government therefore aimed to provide support and financial aid to women requiring these services. In 2023, Belize eliminated woman to child transmission of HIV and syphilis, which was a landmark medical achievement.

    Introducing the report, Elvia Vega Samos, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs of Belize and head of the delegation, said the National Gender Policy 2024–2030 represented a landmark achievement in Belize’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, providing a comprehensive framework addressing gender-responsive healthcare, education, economic empowerment, institutional strengthening, women’s leadership, and the elimination of gender-based violence. While these achievements demonstrated progress, challenges persisted, including constraints in adequately staffing and retaining professionals in key gender and social service sectors, as well as insufficient investments and funding.

    In closing remarks, Ms. Vega Samos expressed sincere appreciation for the meaningful dialogue. Belize was proud of the progress made. However, the State recognised that challenges remained, particularly when addressing gender-based violence, inequality and the disproportionate impact of climate change.

    In her closing remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, thanked Belize for the constructive dialogue which had provided further insight into the situation of women in the country.

    The delegation of Belize was comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the National Women’s Commission.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s ninetieth session is being held from 3 to 21 February. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 February to begin its consideration of the eighth periodic report of Congo (CEDAW/C/COG/8).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the combined fifth to ninth periodic report of Belize (CEDAW/C/BLZ/5-9).

    Presentation of Report 

    ELVIA VEGA SAMOS, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs of Belize and head of the delegation, said since the last review, Belize had made significant progress in advancing legal protections and rights for women and girls, including through the enactment of the National Women’s Commission Act in 2023, which formalised the Commission’s role in advancing gender equality and ensuring alignment with the principles of the Convention.

    Other key pieces of legislation included the Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (Prohibition) Act, which addressed gaps in access to justice and enhanced protections for survivors of gender-based violence; the passage of the Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2024, which raised the legal age of marriage to 18 and prohibited parental consent for minors to marry; a revised and stronger Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, which strengthened workplace protections against harassment; amendments to the Married Women’s Property Act, which expanded women’s economic rights; the Disabilities Act, which reinforced the rights of women and girls with disabilities; the Cybercrime Act 2021, which offered additional legal protections for women and girls in digital spaces; and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2013, which addressed labour and sex trafficking and forced marriage.

    Belize had also acceded to the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of older women.

    The National Gender Policy 2024–2030 represented a landmark achievement in Belize’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, providing a comprehensive framework addressing gender-responsive healthcare, education, economic empowerment, institutional strengthening, women’s leadership, and the elimination of gender-based violence.

    Belize had developed and implemented gender-based violence multisectoral protocols alongside the gender-based violence referral mechanism and pathway, improving collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare providers, legal aid services, and social support agencies, and ensuring more timely and effective interventions. Gender-based violence hotlines now provided 24/7 crisis assistance, using multiple modalities such as regular calls, SMS, and WhatsApp. Belize had also advanced efforts to improve gender-based violence data collection, coordination, and reporting efficiency through the integrated data collection and reporting system.

    Belize continued to make progress in increasing women’s representation in leadership across various sectors, strengthening governance and fostering inclusive policies. Promoting gender parity remained a national priority. Women now accounted for 22 per cent of Belize’s National Assembly, the highest representation in the country’s history. The establishment of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in 2023 was a powerful step forward in creating an inclusive and equitable legislative environment, acting as a formal platform to discuss gender related issues, addressing legislative gaps, advocating for policy changes, and promoting women’s leadership.

    Training programmes under the engaging men and boys initiative had fostered community dialogues and challenged harmful gender norms, supporting women’s participation in leadership roles. Women led major judicial and prosecutorial offices, including the naming of an acting female Chief Justice in 2019 and the appointment of a female Chief Justice in 2022.

    The State had intensified efforts to enhance women’s economic participation through targeted initiatives and policy reforms. Over 1,000 women had received training in business strategy, digital skills, and entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Belize Women’s Economic Empowerment Project. The Decent Work Country Programme, launched in 2024, focused on women’s economic empowerment through skills training, labour rights awareness, and access to financial resources. Programmes such as BOOST (Building Opportunities for our Social Transformation) addressed multidimensional poverty and supported female-headed households through targeted cash transfers and vocational training.

    Belize had made strides in integrating gender-sensitive approaches into education, including introducing a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math Academy to encourage girls’ participation in high-income careers. Comprehensive sexuality education had been integrated into the National Health Curriculum to address social norms and promote gender equality, and programmes targeting school dropout rates among girls due to early pregnancies or child marriage had been initiated, ensuring continuity in education for young mothers.

    While these achievements demonstrated progress, challenges persisted, including constraints in adequately staffing and retaining professionals in key gender and social service sectors, as well as insufficient investments and funding. Gender-based violence remained prevalent, with Belize recording a five per cent increase in domestic violence cases in 2023. The National Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and its accompanying behavioural change communication campaign, “it ends with me,” aimed to challenge harmful norms and reduce violence against women and girls.

    As a small island developing State, Belize faced disproportionate impacts of climate change, which heightened vulnerabilities for women, particularly in rural and indigenous communities. The National Climate Change Gender Action Plan addressed these intersecting challenges, promoting resilience and adaptation strategies. Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and intersex persons faced compounded barriers to accessing justice, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Initiatives like the Essential Services Package for Women Subject to Violence ensured holistic support for marginalised groups.

    The Government of Belize remained steadfast in its dedication to fully realising gender equality. The roadmap for the future included expanding access to gender-responsive social services; enhancing data systems to ensure evidence-based policymaking; strengthening partnerships with civil society, development partners, and international organizations; advocating for removing of cultural and structural barriers that hindered women’s full participation; promoting initiatives targeting young women and girls; and strengthening the legislative framework. Ms. Vega Samos reaffirmed Belize’s commitment to the Convention and welcomed the Committee’s recommendations.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    RHODA REDDOCK, Committee Vice-Chair and Country Rapporteur for Belize, said the dialogue was taking place in a context of extensive gang and gun violence linked to narco-trafficking which affected Belize and the wider Caribbean and Central America. What had been the implications of this for women’s rights and gender equality, and what were the State’s efforts in this regard? In 1990, Belize signed and ratified the Convention and in 2002, it acceded to its Optional Protocol, one of only three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to do so. Unfortunately, there were reservations on articles 8 and 9, which removed access to the inquiry mechanism of the Optional Protocol, reducing its efficacy for Belizean women and Girls. Would the State party reconsider the reservations on articles 8 and 9 of the Optional Protocol to ensure the expansion of rights for Belizean women and girls?

    Ms. Reddock commended the State party on developments since the last dialogue in 2007, including the 2011 amendment of the Labour Act Ch 297 to protect workers from unfair dismissal and unequal treatment due to pregnancy, HIV status, or filing a sexual harassment complaint; the 2013 Criminal Code amendments to strengthen penalties for sexual crimes; the 2016 decriminalisation of same sex unions; and in April 2023 – a waiver of general sales tax on feminine hygiene products, which was very important. However, the Committee remained concerned, at the lack of implementation of many of the important laws and mechanisms.

    What mechanisms were in place to monitor and evaluate impact, and report on progress in the implementation of the new laws and mechanisms? In 2023, Belize enacted the Legal Aid Act to ensure legal assistance to improve access to justice. What was its implementation status?

    Were there plans to domesticate the Convention into local legislation to ensure the applicability of all its provisions? Did the State party plan to incorporate indigenous rights into the Constitution or specific national legislation? Ms. Reddock commended the State party on the 2018 Gender Equality Protocol for Judicial Officers, and efforts to enhance the capacity of Magistrates Courts and the Family Court to enhance protection for women and girls. What had been the impact of these new legal mechanisms in improving access to justice for women and girls in rural and urban communities?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Belize retained its reservations to articles 8 and 9 but recognised the importance of accessing mechanisms for redress. Where allegations arose concerning the matters covered under the Convention, the State held that mechanisms could be established to ensure due process and accountability, within the country’s legal framework.

    The National Women’s Commission provided ongoing education and support to women and girls. It also encompassed workshops, roundtables and community affairs. Special legal clinics were held twice a year targeting vulnerable populations.

    As part of the process of the implementation of the laws, the National Women’s Commission was positioned as the policy and advisory arm in this regard and was supporting in terms of the implementation. The Commission took the lead in terms of advocacy and promoting the acts. There were also national gender and gender-based violence committees, comprised of members of Governments, non-governmental organizations and other partners, that also provided advocacy support and advice on the implementation of the laws. The State understood that more needed to be done to improve the monitoring and reporting in this regard.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert congratulated Belize on the steps taken to transform the National Women’s Commission into an independent body, as well as steps taken to improve the Sub-Committees. What percentage of the budget of the institutions was covered from the regular budget of the State party, and what percentage depended on external financing? What steps were being taken to guarantee the participation of indigenous women in the drafting and assessment of policies which concerned them? When would Belize have a national human rights institution in place which was in line with the Paris Principles?

    Another Expert said women faced persistent challenges during the reporting period, regarding the electoral process. The 2021 municipal elections marked significant progress with 22 per cent of female members of parliament, but this was far below the level of parity. When would the State party impose a gender quota for increasing the political participation of women? Would the State party consider adopting temporary special measures to increase access to education for rural women and girls?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said 60 per cent of the budget of the National Women’s Commission was provided by the Government while 40 per cent was provided by external funding. A roadmap had been approved for transforming the Office of the Ombudsman into the National Human Rights Institution, which was currently under implementation. There was no specific timeline, but a process was underway to expand the mandate of the Ombudsman and ensure the sustainability of the Human Rights Commission. A Committee, consisting of representatives of the Government, civil society, and academic and international partners was monitoring this process. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had offered technical capacity building in this regard.

    Belize had a Women’s Parliamentary Caucus with a strategic plan. The State would continue to undertake advocacy and ensure changes were made to ensure more women were involved in politics at the higher level.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said research showed that half of the women in Belize experienced violence at some point in their life. Early marriages and unions still existed as a harmful practice. How would the State party ensure the monitoring of measures of tackling harmful gender stereotypes and cultural practices? The State party was commended for legislation and policy measures to combat gender-based violence. Despite these important steps, women and girls continued to be the main victims of both domestic and sexual violence, with 99 per cent of the victims of sexual violence being females.

    The pervasive gender-based violence in Belize needed to be considered in the context of high levels of insecurity, and of proliferation of firearms and their possession and use by criminal networks and armed gangs. About 65 per cent of women and girls who were murdered were victims of gender-related murders or femicide, and 50 per cent of these murders were committed with firearms. What measures would the State party undertake to guarantee quality support services for women survivors of gender-based violence? Did the State party provide support to women’s non-governmental organizations which provided these services? How many shelters existed?

    Was the practice of mobile women’s centres maintained? How many centres were available in rural and indigenous communities? What programmes were in place for controlling and eliminating the provision of weapons? What was the timeline for explicitly including the crime of femicide within the Penal Code?

    Another Expert commended the State party for legal reforms in trafficking; however, no new prosecutions had been enacted within the last two years. What would be done to improve judicial efficiency? How would the State party ensure adequate sentencing in line with the severity of the crime? What was the timeline for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Trafficking? Would the State party allocate adequate resources to shelters for victim assistance?

    Could information be provided on the new labour policy? What was being done to provide oversight on labour recruitment? How would Belize enhance victim identification and screening processes, including in groups such as Cuban medical workers? What actions did the State party take to address the trafficking and exploitation of Mayan girls? What was being done to prevent the sexual exploitation of children in tourist regions? How was the Government addressing the involvement of international actors in these crimes? What measures was the Government taking to address the underground nature of sex trafficking since the pandemic?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the engagement of the men and boys programme began in 2020 and involved men and boys as advocates. Men from all facets of society were trained all over the country, including from indigenous populations. Around 1,000 men and boys had been trained, and many more had expressed willingness to be involved in the programme. Uniformed services participated in the training and masculinity and femininity were key components of the training programme. The State was aiming to establish a national shelter strategy to cater to the different types of shelters necessary, to provide short- and long-term care, including emergency services.

    The work of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council had been to strengthen overall operations and ability to convict. There had not been programmes which strategically targeted vulnerable groups. However, campaigns were being promulgated in rural and hard-to-reach areas to support victims and survivors.

    In 2023 and 2024, there were 10 women killed as a result of femicide. The State needed a multisectoral analysis approach; this was currently a weak area which needed to be improved.

    Gender training was provided at the Police Academy as part of the training requirements for police.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the number of women candidates at the last elections was very low, at 14.8 per cent. In view of the upcoming elections this year, were there any concrete measures planned to increase the number of women in parliament? What were the plans and strategies of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus? How was it resourced?

    The high number of women working in the judiciary in Belize was impressive and should be seen as an example for other countries. The current Governor-General of Belize was a woman; the first indigenous governor-general from the Americas in the Commonwealth. The Committee also welcomed the new gender policy which looked to advance women in politics and government. What measures were being taken to implement goal number five of the gender policy? Who was responsible for implementing the activity? How would the Government strengthen women’s advocacy groups? Could more information be provided about the representation of women, including indigenous women, in Belize’s diplomatic services? What was the percentage of women running in the 2025 elections? 

    Another Expert asked how stateless determination procedures were implemented in Belize? What kind of advocacy programmes were being developed in regard to birth registration? What plans were there to enhance birth registration processes, particularly for migrant women?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the implementation of the gender policy was the responsibility of all organizations which provided gender and gender-based violence services. The National Women’s Commission was responsible for the monitoring of the gender policy. Advocacy groups continued to be a treasured partner of the Government and were included in the trainings and in areas where legislation would be passed. Two indigenous forums had been hosted by women and girls to determine areas which needed improvement. Access to health, affordability of health care services and education were key issues which continued to be raised.

    There had been a lot of work relating to birth registration, with key international partners, and numerous mobile clinics rolled out in this regard. In 2023, thousands of births were documented because of the mobile units. There had been a good uptake in the clinics to ensure there were no barriers in terms of access for indigenous persons due to language.

    Thirty rural communities had benefitted from registration campaigns. Special efforts were made to reach indigenous and Mayan communities and migrant populations. There was a strong network on the ground for people who required support.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert commended the State party for advancing the rights of women and girls to education, including through the creation of the Belize Education Upliftment Programme launched to improve access to education for students from low-income households. Additionally, the Committee commended the State party for introducing compulsory psychosocial support sessions for children aged five and six, aimed at building their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and positive behaviours for building relationships.

    What concrete actions was the State party taking to increase enrolment rates and address teen pregnancies in schools. What was being done to support the physical and mental wellbeing of adolescent mothers to support their re-enrolment in school? Could information about the school meal programme be provided? How were nutritional standards being introduced in schools? How was it ensured that nutritious meals were provided at schools? How did the State party ensure the physical and mental safety of girls at school, as well as in the online sphere?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the State was committed to ensuring the continuation of education for all, including girls who became pregnant. The “lead like a girl” forum occurred every year, involving 100 high schools around the country whose students competed in challenges, before launching the “lead like a girl” pledge. Efforts were being made to provide nutritious meal options in schools. There was a zero-tolerance approach to bullying within the school environment and continued efforts were in place to strengthen legislation in this regard.

    The child marriage and early union strategy was in place, and a data profile had been developed to understand the state of this phenomenon within the country. The Marriage Act had been amended to increase the age of marriage from 16 to 18. Specific institutional policies were being developed for schools in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and community education was promoted.

    Recently, a master’s degree in social work had been launched from the University of Belize, and other approaches for strengthening social work were also in progress.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert commended the State party for its progress in labour and employment, including a decline in the unemployment rate and an increase in the minimum wage across all categories. However, persistent gender disparities remained in the labour force, with women’s participation at around 43 per cent compared to men’s 69 per cent, largely due to domestic and care giving responsibilities. Could the State party elaborate on the decent work programme? What strategies were in place to increase female workforce participation? What measures had been implemented to challenge gender norms which designated unpaid domestic work as a woman’s responsibility?

    What was the current status of the equal opportunities bill and what were the next steps for its advancement? What was being done to enhance the national health insurance system? Was the State party considering accession to the International Labour Organization Convention 189? What specific measures were being implemented to accelerate the reduction of the gender pay gap? The Committee welcomed the new sexual harassment bill endorsed by the Cabinet in 2024. What was its current status and what mechanisms were in place for its implementation?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said there was a particular focus on vulnerable women, and all efforts within the Ministry had been mobilised in that direction. There was only a small percent of people covered by social security schemes, and the State was aiming to increase participation through targeted outreach and involvement in the social protection scheme. Two cohorts had been tested and piloted which were inclusive of direct training and employment services. The State was aiming to include elements such as free or subsided day care as part of the services provided.

    There was increased access to education and skills training for women, particularly those in rural and indigenous areas. The State was looking at financial incentives for female entrepreneurs to decrease their dependence on low paying jobs. Environmental and social safeguards were being put in place to cater to indigenous communities and their livelihoods.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the Committee appreciated that the Government had removed all fees in public hospitals and was very impressed at the recent decision to waive all taxes on female sanitary products. Could statistics on minor girls’ pregnancies and births be provided? What did the State party plan to do to fight the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy? It was concerning that abortion was only permitted in a few circumstances. Did the State party plan to change its criminal law that so women and girls could safely access services to terminate unplanned pregnancy?

    Were contraceptives subsidised by the State? If so, which ones and to what extent? What awareness campaigns were planned to enhance safe reproduction health literacy in Belize, especially to address issues such as unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted diseases? Could statistics on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS be provided? Was radiotherapy, including for breast cancer, still not available in the country? What steps were being taken to address maternal mortality? What were the main challenges in ensuring equitable access to health care services for elderly women?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Belize had taken steps to address the legal and procedural barriers in women’s health services, particularly in regard to access to medical termination of pregnancy. It was important to ensure parents, individuals and schools received the required information, and that contraception was accessible. The Government had invested over 200,000 USD in providing contraceptives. Mobile health clinics continued to be used within all villages. Mothers received counselling before contraceptives were provided, ensuring informed decision-making. Additional measures were being taken to improve the emergency response for survivors of sexual violence.

    The Government recognised the challenges faced by women in accessing comprehensive cancer care, including the lack of radiotherapy, requiring travelling abroad. Radiotherapy was not feasible for in-country infrastructure, and the Government therefore aimed to provide support and financial aid to women requiring these services. There were oncology centres in different parts of the country. Human papillomavirus screening was available to women aged 30 to 49 and human papillomavirus vaccines were administered to adolescents, reducing the risk of cervical cancer to future generations.

    An estimated 3,700 people were living with HIV in Belize, with the majority of them being males. In 2023, Belize eliminated woman to child transmission of HIV and syphilis, which was a landmark medical achievement.

    When a pregnancy posed a risk to the life of the woman, medical termination was legally allowed. It was also allowed to preserve the mental and physical health of the woman, in cases of rape or incest, and in cases of foetal abnormality. Abortion was an area which was under consideration by the Government.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed the revised national gender policy, and its establishment of five priority areas. Was there gender-awareness training for loan officers? What training had been undertaken to increase women’s financial literacy? What social protections existed for self-employed women? What measures existed to ensure girls and women in rural areas enjoyed equal opportunity to participate in sports recreationally and professionally?

    Another Expert said Belize contributed less than 0.001 per cent of global emissions, and was a model of the blue economy, which should be congratulated. What was the leadership role of women in the sustainable use of oceans, including women scientists in marine biology? Gang warfare had impacted many women in Belize, including putting them at risk of gender-based violence. How did the Government ensure services for gang-impacted women? How were the laws of gender-based violence made culturally specific for rural women?

    What was the policy of Mayan women’s consent for companies to operate on Mayan land? The Mayans of Toledo lived in close proximity to land where logging had been permitted. What efforts was the State party taking to secure the land rights of the Mayan women? How many female sex workers were incarcerated? Would the State consider decriminalising prostitution? It was hoped that the State would consider some of the archaic language used in certain laws. What was the timeframe for the adoption of the Older Persons Act?

    RHODA REDDOCK, Vice-Chair and Country Rapporteur for Belize, asked if there was recognition of the special needs of women in detention, particularly regarding childbirth? Would the State consider implementing the Bangkok Rules?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Belize’s investment and climate action plan aimed at addressing several financial barriers for female entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas. Measures taken included mentorship programmes, capacity building initiatives, and financial literacy training. The plan mandated that 50 per cent of the training budgets be allocated to women entrepreneurs. The programme also encouraged financial institutions to increase small and medium enterprise lending. These measures collectively aimed to level the playing field, enabling women to access and maximise credit resources for sustainable business success.

    The sports policy for 2025 highlighted areas in the expansion of sports, but the investment in women’s infrastructure needed to be reflected, including support for female athletes and the prevention of gender-based violence in sports. Part of the work of indigenous peoples’ affairs was to ensure that the consent of Mayan women was provided. The social policy took aging into consideration.

    Belize was carrying out measures to tackle gun violence and drug imports, including through daily policing efforts and conducting regular border checks. There was a close connection between gangs, drugs and guns, and significant work was being carried out to reach out to vulnerable communities and youth, guiding them away from guns. Interventions and mediations between rival groups was carried out to enhance the security of citizens.

    Belize had embraced the 30 per cent quotas but the Government now needed to implement these. It was hoped the State would eventually reach fifty-fifty parity. It was currently on paper, but the tangible changes were not yet being seen.

    Efforts had been made to strengthen reporting around gender-based violence and gun violence. While the data was available, there needed to be further analysis. The State would focus efforts on this.

    The State would look at the Bangkok Rules as an additional standard which could also be pursued.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert commended Belize for the steps taken to finetune its legal framework in the sphere of family relationships, including the new law on family and childhood and the new law on married persons. What were the most significant proposals contained in these draft laws? In what way did judges incorporate a gender perspective in cases of family violence? Were there any limitations based on women in care work when it came to inheriting from their deceased husbands?

    What was being done to eradicate early and de facto unions? How was the Government engaging with ethnicities in rural areas in this regard? Would the State recognise same sex marriages and de facto unions going forward? What was being done with the general public, particularly men, to raise awareness about early unions?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Belize had recently increased the age of marriage to 18, with no exceptions. The courts looked at the best interests of the child, and ensured there was engagement of both parents in their parental ability, and also took into account the risk of harm to the child. There had been some recent work done in terms of inheritance and division of assets. Recognising same sex marriages was part of the continued work being undertaken by the Government. The child marriage and early union strategy aimed to work with young people to understand the implications of early unions, and the type of support available for them.

    The State had engaged pastors and leaders when drawing up the child marriage bill, as they had been the ones responsible for marrying young girls. It was one thing to change the law, but another to change hearts and minds. The Government was striving to implement educational strategies, using the media, social media and posters, to foster behavioural change.

    Closing Remarks

    ELVIA VEGA SAMOS, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs of Belize and head of the delegation, expressed sincere appreciation for the meaningful dialogue. Belize was proud of the progress made. However, the State recognised that challenges remained, particularly when addressing gender-based violence, inequality and the disproportionate impact of climate change. The journey towards gender equality was ongoing, and Ms. Vega Samos thanked all those who had assisted Belize so far in strengthening human rights.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, thanked Belize for the constructive dialogue which had provided further insight into the situation of women in the country.

     

     

     

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    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently. 

     

    CEDAW25.007E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Welcome Croatia’s Anti-Discrimination Measures, Raise Issues Concerning Reported Exploitation of Migrant Workers and the Social Benefit Scheme

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights today concluded its review of the second periodic report of Croatia under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, with Committee Experts commending the State’s law and national action plan against discrimination, and raising issues concerning reported exploitation of migrant workers and the social benefit scheme.

    Karla Vanessa Lemus de Vásquez, Committee Expert and Lead Member of the Taskforce on Croatia, welcomed Croatia’s law against discrimination and the national action plan on combatting discrimination and protecting human rights.

    Joo-Young Lee, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce on Croatia, said migrant workers in Croatia were particularly vulnerable to poor working conditions, including non-payment for work, and failure to provide breaks or employment contracts.  What measures had been taken to address labour exploitation of migrant workers?

    Ms. Lee also cited reports that social assistance benefits were inadequate and often not sufficient to cover the cost of living.  What measures had the State party taken to address this?  Why had the number of beneficiaries decreased recently, and why did some regions require recipients of benefits to participate in community service?

    Ivan Vidiš, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy of Croatia and head of the delegation, introducing the report, said that the State party was proud of the reforms underway in Croatia.  In early 2023, Croatia joined the Schengen area, and the euro was introduced as a national currency.

    Mr. Vidiš said the National Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination for the period up to 2027 was adopted to ensure coordinated action by State administration bodies in the field of human rights protection and anti-discrimination, and to raise awareness of equality.

    On protections for migrant workers, Mr. Vidiš said labour legislation provided for third-country nationals legally working in Croatia to have the same rights as national workers, and the new Act on Combatting Undeclared Work obliged the employer to pay six months of salary to unregistered workers as well as a fine.

    On the social benefit scheme, the delegation said the number of recipients of the guaranteed minimum benefit had been dropping recently, in line with the reduction in unemployment.  The benefit had been increased three times in recent years, and the State party had developed a new Social Welfare Act that would increase the minimum social benefit.  The Act would also allow for persons to be excused from community service activities if they were unable to participate.

    In concluding remarks, Ms. Lemus de Vásquez thanked the delegation for the information shared, which provided insight into the progress achieved and measures planned to give effect to the Covenant in Croatia.  The Committee’s aim was to ensure the full realisation of economic, social and cultural rights for all persons in Croatia.

    Mr. Vidiš, in his concluding remarks, said Croatia was passionate about its work, open about its challenges, and determined to address them.  Economic, social and cultural rights were the cornerstone of the State party’s efforts.  Mr. Vidiš thanked the Committee for its constructive approach to the dialogue.

    In her concluding remarks, Laura-Maria Craciunean-Tatu, Committee Chair, thanked the delegation for the open and constructive way in which it had participated in the dialogue.  The Committee hoped that Croatia would address the Committee’s forthcoming recommendations with a constructive spirit.

    The delegation of Croatia was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy; Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property; Ministry of Science, Education and Youth; Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities; Ministry of Finance; Croatian Employment Service; Ministry of the Interior; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition; Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs; Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation; and the Permanent Mission of Croatia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee’s seventy-seventh session is being held until 28 February 2025.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Webcasts of the meetings of the session can be found here, and meetings summaries can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 12 February to begin its consideration of the fifth periodic report of Peru (E/C.12/PER/5).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the second periodic report of Croatia (E/C.12/HRV/2).

    Presentation of Report

    IVAN VIDIŠ, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy of Croatia and head of the delegation, said that the State party was proud of the reforms underway in Croatia.  In early 2023, Croatia joined the Schengen area, and the euro was introduced as a national currency.  As part of the European Economic Area, Croatia was exposed to inflationary developments caused the pandemic and then the war in Ukraine.  The Government intervened to a limited extent in energy prices and provided seven aid packages, all with the aim of protecting particularly vulnerable population groups.

    The National Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination for the period up to 2027 was adopted to ensure coordinated action by State administration bodies in the field of human rights protection and anti-discrimination, and to raise awareness of equality. 

    The State party had implemented a series of measures to strengthen workers’ rights.  The new Act on Combatting Undeclared Workers provided strict measures for employers who did not declare workers, including giving such workers the right to be registered and receive pay, pension and health insurance for the last six months, and foreign workers had access to the same protections as national workers.  Active employment policy measures had resulted in a historically low number of unemployed people.  Unemployment benefits had been increased and amendments had also been made to the labour legislation, laying down provisions on work through digital labour platforms and limiting the use of fixed-term contracts.

    In 2024, the salaries of civil servants and public service employees financed from the State budget were reformed towards a more transparent and fairer system.  The remuneration system for judges and prosecutors had also been revised to ensure that they could work smoothly and independently.  The minimum wage was constantly increasing and had almost doubled compared to 2019.

    To promote the social inclusion of vulnerable groups, the Government had provided increased rights and coverage for these groups in the Social Welfare Act and adopted the inclusive benefit, which significantly improved living standards.  Further, the State party had implemented measures to support elderly people.

    A new national plan for protection against violence against women and domestic violence, covering the period up to 2028, was under development.  As part of this plan, in 2024, a package of regulations dedicated to combatting violence against women and domestic violence entered into force, which included amendments to the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Act on Protection from Domestic Violence.  The legislative package tightened sentencing and strengthened protective measures for victims.  The revised Criminal Code introduced a definition of “gender-based violence against women” that was in line with the Istanbul Convention and a new criminal offence of femicide.

    There were 123,000 foreign workers in Croatia.  The State party had introduced legislation to combat undeclared work, and existing labour legislation provided for third-country nationals legally working in Croatia to have the same rights as national workers.

    After the 2020 earthquakes, many public facilities had been renovated, and multi-dwelling buildings and family replacement houses were being built.  To ensure the availability of housing, especially for young families, Croatia’s first national housing policy plan up to 2030 had been drawn up.  At the end of 2024, the Government adopted a programme for the construction and renovation of housing units in assisted areas to help young people and families access housing and to encourage population growth in these areas.

    Significant measures had also been taken over the last three years to strengthen the free legal aid system.  A call for funding for projects to provide primary legal aid was launched for a three-year period from 2023 to 2025.  Funding for projects increased by 100 per cent in 2023.

    Croatia expressed its strong commitment to the realisation of the human rights enshrined in the Covenant, demonstrated by its achievement of a high level of human rights protection.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    KARLA VANESSA LEMUS DE VÁSQUEZ, Committee Expert, Country Rapporteur and Lead Member of the Taskforce on Croatia, asked about the number of cases in which the Covenant was invoked in domestic courts.  What was the domestic legal status of the treaty bodies’ observations?  Did Croatia plan to adopt the Optional Protocol?  How had the legislature and civil society participated in implementing the Committee’s previous concluding observations and in drafting the State party’s reports?  Did the State party have a national follow-up mechanism to coordinate follow-up activities?

    Croatia had great potential, considering its location, resources and human capital.  However, the State party was reportedly overdependent on the tourism industry, which hampered the productivity of businesses.  What measures were in place to increase the productivity of the private sector and reduce dependence on tourism?  Were there measures in place to build workers’ capacities?

    Croatia did not have a national action plan on business and human rights and due diligence regulations were not sufficient.  What measures had the State party implemented to transpose the European Union directive on due diligence into national law?  What measures were in place to ensure due diligence in the private sector and to help victims of human rights violations to access justice?

    Croatia had received low grades in greenhouse gas emissions, energy usage, and climate policy in a recent review.  Would Croatia be able to meet its climate commitments for 2030 and 2050?  What were the main challenges in this regard?  How would the State party rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions?  What plans were in place to eradicate subsidies for fossil fuels and to reallocate funds to renewable energy?

    Official development assistance represented 0.2 per cent of gross domestic product, well below the 0.7 per cent recommended by the United Nations.  Were there plans to increase the budget allocated to such assistance in the next few years?

    The Committee welcomed the law against discrimination and the national action plan on combatting discrimination and protecting human rights.  Had the 2024 and 2025 plans been implemented and to what extent?

    The Roma had been facing discrimination regarding access to housing and healthcare in Croatia.  What progress had been made in combatting hate crimes against the Roma and in implementing the national action plan on inclusion of the Roma?  What measures were in place to address the gender gap in participation in the labour market and to combat stereotypes against women in the private sector?  Were there any wage equality measures in place?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Croatia had one of the highest growth rates for gross domestic product in the European Union, at 3.6 per cent.  The State party had been using European Union funds to increase skills for around 140,000 citizens.  Judicial experts and judges had received training on the Covenant.  Croatia was working to continuously train public officers on human rights, particularly the rights of the Roma and vulnerable women and girls.

    Discussion on signing the Optional Protocol was ongoing, with public consultations being carried out.  If stakeholders found that the Optional Protocol was relevant to Croatia, the State party would launch ratification procedures.

    Croatia had working groups for developing legislation that included experts from line ministries and civil society representatives.  Analyses were carried out to determine areas where legislation needed to be aligned with international law and the recommendations of treaty bodies.

    Croatia had a strong tourism industry due to its location and natural and cultural heritage.  The Government was promoting sustainable tourism, implementing accommodation and environmental policies to regulate development in the sector.  There were around 270,000 pieces of property used for short-term renting to tourists.  New regulations addressed this, encouraging owners to provide long-term rental schemes and permanent housing.

    The State party was working on reforming vocational training to increase its availability, quality and relevance, and reduce school dropouts.  A new modular curriculum had been developed to allow students to engage in work experience activities.

    The new national action plan on the inclusion of the Roma covered the period of 2021 to 2027.  Around 57 per cent of financing programmes were in the education field.  The Government was also working on policies promoting access to healthcare and improved quality of life for the Roma population.

    Croatia was a part of the European Union’s ambitious climate policy, which aimed to make Europe climate neutral by 2050.  Under this policy, Croatia was working to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.  The national strategy on low carbon development and the national energy and climate plan had been developed to guide efforts to achieve climate objectives.  The plan included a measure for gradually abolishing subsidies for fossil fuels.  The State party had been monitoring national emissions using a database on emissions.

    Croatia’s gender employment gap, at 11.4 per cent, was lower than the European Union average.  Wage transparency policies were helping the State to achieve equal pay for equal work.  Measures had been developed to support access to employment for women in rural areas and women over the age of 50.

    There had been a spike in hate crimes following the increase in foreign workers in the State party.  To combat this, the Government had developed educational measures to promote the integration of foreign workers in society.

    Croatia was this year preparing to transpose the European Union directive on due diligence.  The national action plan on responsible businesses, which was being drafted by experts, aimed to support the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on measures implemented to bolster the capacity of the Ombudswoman’s office to ensure that it could carry out its mandate; the composition of bodies monitoring the implementation of treaty body recommendations; plans to address challenges related to disparities in regional development; the legal status of the Covenant in domestic legislation; measures to address unequal distribution of free legal aid services across the country; plans to broaden awareness raising activities on economic, social and cultural rights; and whether the State party planned to draft national action plans on human rights protections.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that in Croatia, the Covenant had legal status and was directly applicable.  Public tender was provided to legal clinics to facilitate the provision of free legal aid across the State.  Funds for free legal aid were increased by 100 per cent in 2023 and by a further 30 per cent in 2024.  Transport fees were paid by the State when persons needed to travel more than 60 kilometres to attend courts.

    The salary system for the civil service had been reformed, including salaries for staff of the Ombudswoman’s Office.  On average, salaries for civil servants had been increased by around 30 per cent.  The budget for the Office had increased gradually since 2022.

    The Ministry of Labour, Pension System and Social Policy had a special service coordinating the implementation of the Covenant and other international documents.  Policies related to implementation were discussed with representatives of trade unions and civil society.

    The Federal Government was pursuing fiscal decentralisation and providing local and regional governments with funding to be used in regional development projects.  It sought to address gaps between less and more developed regions.

    The Social Housing Fund encouraged the population to live and work in rural areas, and a new programme on the construction of housing for young people focused on housing developments in rural areas.

    The new national action plan on human rights had been prepared but was currently being discussed in the Government.  The former plan was still in force.  National action plans on combatting trafficking in persons, promoting the inclusion of the Roma, and fighting discrimination were also being implemented.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    JOO-YOUNG LEE, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Croatia, said that the State party had implemented employment policy measures focusing on the integration of vulnerable people into the labour market.  What impact had those measures had?  What was the trend in rates of young people who were not in employment, education or training over the last five years?

    What measures were in place to address the discrimination and prejudice faced by Roma persons in the workplace?  The disability employment gap was around 23 per cent as of 2023, related to a lack of reasonable accommodation measures.  How was the State party promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace?

    The Committee noted legislation addressing unregistered, unpaid and precarious work, but such work remained prevalent in the State party.  Migrant workers were particularly vulnerable to poor working conditions, including non-payment for work, and failure to provide breaks or employment contracts.  What were the root causes of labour exploitation of migrant workers and what measures had been taken to address them?  How was the State party working to improve the capacity of public officials to uphold migrant workers’ rights and impose appropriate sanctions on persons who violated those rights?

    Social assistance benefits were reportedly inadequate and often not sufficient to cover the cost of living.  What measures had the State party taken to address this?  Why had the number of beneficiaries decreased recently?  What budget had been devoted to social benefits in the last five years?  What measures had been implemented to improve social services for persons with disabilities, older persons, and persons living in rural areas?

    The “at risk of poverty” rate was around 42 per cent in Croatia.  This was reportedly due to strict requirements limiting access to unemployment benefits.  How did the State party ensure that unemployed persons did not fall into poverty?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the State party provided educational and training support to unemployed persons.  Several hundreds of persons had found employment through the Government’s on-the-job training programme.

    Legislative changes and State-funded support centres had led to an increase in the registration of persons with disabilities and their inclusion in the labour market.  The unemployment rate for persons with disabilities was currently at a record low level.  The Government financed up to two-thirds of the salaries of persons with disabilities, including self-employed persons, and financed the adaption of workplaces to the needs of persons with disabilities.  The employment rate of persons with disabilities had increased by 70 per cent in recent years.

    The new Act on Combatting Undeclared Work obliged the employer to pay six months of salary to unregistered workers as well as a fine of 2,600 euros.  There was a public register of employers that had employed unregistered workers.

    The Government also had a register of persons who were not in employment, education or training.  It was planning programmes to involve these persons in education or the labour market.  Only 13 per cent of young people were currently unemployed, down from a historic high of around 50 per cent.  Croatia had removed many restrictions related to accessing unemployment benefits.

    Foreign workers received materials informing them of their rights to State services, including health care, unemployment benefits and complaints mechanisms.  The Government supported foreign workers to learn the Croatian language.

    The guaranteed minimum benefit was provided to persons who did not have basic sustenance.  More than 40,000 persons received this benefit.  The number of recipients had been dropping in recent years, in line with the reduction in unemployment.  The benefit had been increased three times in recent years, and there were plans to increase it further, along with other benefits.  The Government was working to amend the Social Welfare Act to increase the base payment for single parents and their children by 25 per cent.  The national allowance for the elderly provided support to persons who did not have sufficient pensions.  The Government was strengthening the capacities of institutions to monitor poverty and better combat it.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    JOO-YOUNG LEE, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Croatia, said it was welcome that the Act on Foreigner Workers would be amended and that the basic social benefit had increased.

    Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on the assessment of measures for housing provided to foreign workers; the methodology used to assess citizens’ risk of poverty; why some regions required recipients of benefits to participate in community service; the timeframe in which the minimum wage had increased and whether it covered the cost of living; whether rules regarding the renewal of temporary work contracts led to unemployment; measures being taken to promote entrepreneurship; the nationalities of migrant workers in the State party; and policies being implemented to enable women to enter the labour market and promote sharing of domestic work tasks.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said there were clear criteria in place regarding the accommodation of foreign workers.  The Government was working with the embassies of foreign countries to inform migrant workers about their rights.

    The percentage of persons at risk of poverty had not increased in recent years.  The State party had developed a new Social Welfare Act that would increase the minimum social benefit and would allow for persons to be excused from community service activities if they were unable to participate.  Community service often helped unemployed persons to enter the labour market.

    Around two per cent of workers received the minimum wage.  The Government had worked to ensure that all workers in vulnerable sectors such as manufacturing received at least the minimum wage.  The nominal minimum wage had been increased by 130 per cent between 2016 and 2025.  The real increase, taking inflation into account, was around 70 per cent.  The minimum wage was calculated considering other benefits being received.

    There were around 6,000 self-employed persons receiving State benefits.  Most benefits were provided in the food and construction industries.

    The State was developing a law to promote women’s return to work after childbirth.  It was financing the construction of kindergartens and schools and providing parental leave for fathers, which more than 60 per cent of fathers were taking.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    ASRAF ALLY CAUNHYE Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Croatia, said the escalation of violence against women in recent years in the State party was of great concern.  What measures were in place to provide support for victims, particularly women with disabilities?  How was the State party preventing the abuse of women with disabilities in institutions and addressing harmful practices affecting Roma women and children?  What measures were in place to prevent all forms of trafficking in persons, identify victims, prevent reprisals against victims after they reported offences, and ensure that penalties for trafficking were commensurate with the seriousness of offences?  How was the State party addressing the effects of inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable persons?

    Croatia did not have a needs-based housing policy or an effective strategy for addressing homelessness.  Approximately 6.5 per cent per cent of the population did not have access to the water supply network and many of the Roma lived in poor housing conditions.  What measures were in place to improve access to housing and housing conditions for vulnerable persons, prevent evictions of the Roma, and tackle homelessness?

    Some people in remote areas, particularly the Roma, had limited access to health services.  There was a shortage in healthcare staff in rural areas and long waiting lists for specialised care.  What measures were in place to provide timely access to quality healthcare in remote areas and to reduce waiting lists?  How would the State party promote access to healthcare for asylum seekers and persons with disabilities?  What steps had been taken to promote access to safe abortions when mothers’ lives were at risk?  What resources had been allocated to setting up mobile health teams and community mental health care services, and to combatting the high suicide rate?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the national action plan on social services aimed to facilitate access to these services, secure a better regional distribution of services, including services for the elderly, and promote deinstitutionalisation and foster care.  Payments to foster families had been increased and media campaigns had been carried out to highlight their importance.  The act on personal assistance of 2023 regulated the recruitment of personal assistants for persons with disabilities.  Over 5,000 assistants were currently employed, and the Government was working to recruit more.

    The Government was conducting roundtables and workshops with employers to encourage the increased employment of the Roma and other vulnerable groups.  Career management centres were being established in every region of the State to support their access to employment.

    Croatia had issues with affordable housing, influenced by the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and inflation.  Consultations were being carried out on a national housing plan, which would be adopted soon.  Under the plan, settlement of vulnerable and young persons and settlement in underdeveloped areas would be encouraged.  Croatia had a shortage of around 270,000 residential units compared to demand.  There were also around 50,000 unused residential units; the Government planned to adopt legislation to allow the State to take over empty units and provide them to vulnerable persons.  New laws would make it possible to build more affordable housing and expand land allocated for affordable housing.  The procedure for obtaining permits for building family homes would soon be simplified.

    The State party provided housing for victims of domestic violence and was also building family homes for the Roma community in rural areas.  Housing had also been provided for persons under international protection, and for persons whose homes were destroyed in earthquakes.  The State had also provided accommodation for over 600 homeless persons.  Large cities and counties provided food to homeless persons through social kitchens.

    Croatia had amended the Act on Water, which enhanced access to water for vulnerable groups.  Local government units were obliged to provide water for human use and to install wells in public spaces.  The State was investing heavily in the water distribution network to improve the quality and availability of water.

    The Government had provided seven different support packages to reduce the prices of energy, food, fuel and gas.  As a result, Croatia had the lowest energy prices in the European Union.  Some 70 retail products had also been subsidised by the State to protect vulnerable groups, and cash supports had been provided for more than 700,000 retirees.

    The Government was working to improve the legislative framework against gender-based violence.  Gender-based violence was treated as an aggravating circumstance in the Criminal Code, and Croatia was one of the first countries in Europe to make femicide a stand-alone crime.  The law against family violence had also been amended to increase sanctions for perpetrators and support for victims.  Victims were examined via video-link unless they insisted on being in the courtroom.  Training on gender-based violence was provided for judges, prosecutors and police officers.  

    A new national action plan on the prevention of sexual violence was currently being developed.  Twenty-six shelters were available for victims of sexual and gender-based violence in all territories of the State.  Ten million euros had been devoted to financing these shelters.  A new media campaign was being carried out on preventing violence against women.

    To increase access to primary healthcare, a new healthcare service network had been established that included mobile medical and psychiatric healthcare teams.  These teams covered a wide geographical area and included emergency helicopter and maritime services.  The Government had also increased the availability of telehealth services.  Each county had at least one hospital.  Croatia was close to the European Union average for the number of doctors per 100,000 inhabitants and the number of doctors was increasing.  The Government provided funds for residencies for young doctors.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    One Committee Expert welcomed indicators developed by the State party on measuring poverty, while another praised the State party’s various initiatives promoting access to housing.

    Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on progress in the implementation of the national strategy on reducing drug-related harm; measures to prevent house demolition and forced evictions of vulnerable groups, and remedies provided to affected persons; statistics on homelessness and the average period of stay in shelters; whether takeovers of unused units were temporary or permanent, and whether the Government planned to pay compensation to owners; how the State responded when people could not afford to pay utility bills or their mortgage; measures to prevent the discriminatory effects of reporting obligations required to receive health insurance; and plans to update poverty indicators from a multidimensional lens.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that in 2023, the Government adopted the national strategy on addiction, which aimed to reduce harms and risks related to addiction.  Every year, it implemented over 300 intervention programmes related to addiction.  The Government primarily rehabilitated adults in the social welfare system, but some addicts were in the prison system.  Non-governmental organizations provided counselling and intervention services for addicts.  Around one-third of addicts in treatment were women.  The Government was developing measures to support women addicts and provide social housing for them.

    Under State guidelines on the provision of abortions, patients could demand terminations of pregnancy in all hospitals in the State.  In cases of conscientious objection from doctors, patients were referred to other doctors or institutions.  

    The act on compulsory health insurance provided the right to healthcare for persons under international protection and asylum seekers and their family members, as well as unaccompanied minors.  Many citizens who lived abroad used free telehealth services in Croatia, abusing the system.  This was why the obligation of reporting to authorities once every three months to obtain health insurance had been introduced.

    Croatia had adopted a strategy framework on the development of mental healthcare, which aimed to reduce the suicide rate and improve the mental health of children and workers in particular.

    Courts applied the caselaw of the European Court of Human Rights regarding evictions, so it was very difficult to forcefully evict people from their homes.  The Government was increasing fiscal pressures on unused properties and implementing measures that made long-term rent more beneficial for owners than short-term rent.  The State would also rent and sublet private unused apartments at a reduced price; it would not forcefully take these properties away from owners.  A new property tax had been developed to replace taxation on vacation homes.  All properties used for long-term rent were excluded from the tax.

    It was difficult to count homeless people who had not approached relevant service providers.  Homeless persons could receive personal identification documents by registering at a local institute for social welfare.  The Government was empowering homeless persons to gain employment.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    ASLAN ABASHIDZE, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Croatia, asked for disaggregated data on school enrolment, completion and dropout rates at primary and secondary levels for the last 10 years.  Which ethnic groups had high dropout rates?  What progress had been made in promoting the inclusion of the Roma in the education system?  All children, including Roma children, needed to attend preschool education.  Who was responsible on collecting data on Roma children who were eligible to attend preschool?  How many Roma children had attended preschool over the past five years and how many had progressed to primary and secondary education?  

    What measures were in place to ensure that refugees and migrants had access to quality Croatian language courses and higher education?  Had a new programme been adopted to support these groups in 2025?  Were there specific measures to support Serbian children’s education?  There were reports of vandalism targeting Serbian monuments and Orthodox churches.  Had these incidents been investigated and violators held responsible?  How would the Government ensure that such violence did not occur in the future?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the dropout rate in Croatia was around two per cent, which was around the lowest rate in the European Union.  There was a system that monitored students, but it did not record the national affiliation of students.  Data on Roma students had been gathered since 2008, however.  This data informed the Government’s activities for Roma students.  Around 70 per cent of Roma students attended secondary school; this was lower than the national average.  The national action plan on the inclusion of the Roma included activities encouraging education for Roma children, including scholarships for Roma pupils in secondary schools.  Annually, between 50 and 100 Roma children dropout out of school.  The number of Roma university students receiving scholarships had increased in recent years.  “Roma assistants” were employed in primary schools to support Roma children.  On average, around 400 Roma children were enrolled in kindergartens each year.  Local governments funded kindergarten education for Roma children.

    One year of preschool education was mandatory for all pupils.  The Government funded preschool programmes for each child.  Over the next three years, it would invest around 200 million euros in this public service.  Croatian language courses were provided to all students who did not speak Croatian, starting from primary level.

    Vandalism based on ethnicity was treated as a form of discrimination and a hate crime, and was punished with a harsher sentence.  The State party was cooperating with civil society organizations representing ethnic groups to prevent such incidents and bring perpetrators to justice.

    The Ministry of Culture and Media had secured funds to support the needs of national minorities.  Funds were being devoted to cultural associations, libraries and there were other measures of protecting the cultural heritage of minorities.  Public broadcasters were required to devote a portion of broadcasts to programmes for national minorities.  The Government also helped fund the cultural activities of persons with disabilities.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on whether foreign students received free higher education; the number of foreign students in the State; steps taken to enhance inclusive education for persons with disabilities; whether indexation was used to calculate social assistance benefits; whether trade union rights were adequately granted to all workers, including police and military personnel; measures implemented to encourage reporting of racial discrimination offences and prevent such discrimination; the delegation’s response to reports of insufficient funding and will from authorities to address hate-related crimes; and statistics on crimes against Serbians.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that in 2024, there were 531 foreign students enrolled in Croatian universities.  The Government had adopted guidelines on supporting children with disabilities, who were entitled to specially trained teaching assistants.

    Croatia used automatic indexation to calculate elderly benefits and pensions, based on cost-of-living indicators.  There was no index system for the guaranteed minimum benefit, which was increased once per year by the Government, considering various factors.  A project had been launched to better monitor poverty rates through the Central Population Register, which would be established this year.

    Trade unions in Croatia could create their own networks, participate in the drafting of legislation and national policies, and participate in parliamentary debates.  The Government was drafting an action plan to encourage all employers to conclude collective agreements.  The scope of certain collective agreements was extended by the State to prevent unfair competition or restrictions on workers’ rights.  Only active military personnel were restricted from forming trade unions in line with existing legislation; police officers could form and join unions.  Property used by trade unions was formerly owned by the State, but legislation that entered into force last week transferred ownership to a trade union fund.

    In 2023, the State party recorded 61 hate crimes against ethnic minorities.  This was a decrease from the 67 crimes reported in 2021.  Authorities needed to consider these as serious offences and respond appropriately.  The judicial academy provided training for judges and judicial workers on the prohibition of discrimination, hate crimes and hate speech, including anti-Semitism.  Thirteen workshops would be held in 2025.  Police officers were also involved in workshops on preventing anti-Semitism, hate speech and all forms of discrimination.

    Closing Remarks

    KARLA VANESSA LEMUS DE VÁSQUEZ, Committee Expert, Country Rapporteur and Lead Member of the Taskforce on Croatia, thanked the delegation for the information shared, which provided insight into the progress achieved and measures planned to give effect to the Covenant in Croatia.  The Committee’s aim was to ensure the full realisation of economic, social and cultural rights for all persons in Croatia.  She thanked all persons who had contributed to the successful dialogue.

    IVAN VIDIŠ, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy of Croatia and head of the delegation, said Croatia was making every effort to make progress.  The State party was passionate about its work, open about its challenges, and determined to address them.  Croatia had faced aggression in its past, and the Committee needed to consider the difficult path the country had travelled.  Economic, social and cultural rights were the cornerstone of the State party’s efforts.  The cost-of-living crisis was a major concern currently, but the State party’s measures supporting energy and other costs had lightened the burden for residents.  Croatia was facing a demographic decline, but incentives were in place to support a reversal of demographic trends.  Parliament had recently agreed on a declaration regarding the rights of older people, who made up an increasingly large portion of the population.  Mr. Vidiš thanked the Committee for its constructive approach to the dialogue.

     

    LAURA-MARIA CRACIUNEAN-TATU, Committee Chair, thanked the delegation for the open and constructive way in which it had participated in the dialogue.  The dialogue with Croatia would continue, as the Committee would select three follow-up recommendations that it called on the State party to address within 24 months.  It hoped that Croatia would continue to address the Committee’s recommendations with a constructive spirit.

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

     

    CESCR25.002E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash at Elizabeth Downs

    Source: South Australia Police

    A woman has died following a motorcycle crash at Elizabeth Downs last night.

    About 9.50pm on Wednesday 12 February, a Suzuki motorcycle collided with a parked car on Midway Road.

    Sadly the rider, a 39-year-old woman from Elizabeth Downs, died at the scene.

    Midway Road was closed for several hours while Major Crash Investigators examined the scene but has since been reopened.

    The woman’s death is the 17th life lost on SA roads this year.

    Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any other information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF Announce Charges in Firearms and Drug Trafficking Case

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Roswell man is charged with federal firearms and drug trafficking offenses following a traffic stop.

    According to the complaint, on February 4, 2025, Roswell Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. The driver, identified as Isaac Ivan Boccelli, 36, was accompanied by two juveniles aged 12 and 14. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed:

    • Two firearms, one concealed on a juvenile and another in the vehicle
    • 396.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine
    • 147.0 grams of suspected fentanyl

    Boccelli, previously convicted for 2nd Degree Murder and Battery Upon a Peace Officer, was prohibited from possessing firearms.

    Boccelli will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted, Boccelli faces up to 40 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Roswell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez is prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso: Tusli Gabbard Will Handle Classified Information Properly and Lawfully

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor ahead of voting to confirm Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence.
    Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
    Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
    “The Senate will soon vote on the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard has the right background, the right experience, and the right perspective to keep America safe and secure.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard has served in uniform or more than 20 years. She deployed to the Middle East several times. She serves in the military today and was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
    “As a member of Congress for eight years, Congresswoman Gabbard served on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
    “Her experience handling highly classified information is extensive.
    “As Director of National Intelligence, she will handle classified information properly and lawfully.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard is more than qualified to serve as our Director of National Intelligence.
    “I’ve heard a lot of debate about Congresswoman Gabbard. Not one Senator has disputed a simple fact: She took a hard line on Russia and Iran.
    “In 2013, Congresswoman Gabbard co-sponsored the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard wanted severe sanctions on Iran. Then-President Obama wanted to appease Iran.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard opposed the Iran Deal. She viewed it as a threat to both America and Israel.
    “She was right.
    “In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. President Obama rejected sending tank-busting missiles to Ukraine. He instead sent them blankets. The sanctions he imposed on Russia were weak.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard argued for U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. She also called for painful sanctions against Russia.
    “She never sought war with Russia. Yet she never kid herself about Russia’s aggressive ambitions.
    “She worked to stop wars, even though she served and was ready to fight in them. She knows what it means when we talk about peace through strength.
    “The Democrat attacks on her patriotism and loyalty are disturbing. There is no evidence to support them.
    “The attacks on Congresswoman Gabbard are another case of Democrats equating political disagreement with disloyalty.
    “If Washington wants Americans to trust our intelligence agencies again, we need to take an axe to the weaponization of those very agencies.
    “Congresswoman Gabbard will keep politics out of intelligence gathering. She wants to return ODNI to its original size, scope, and mission.
    “As she wrote in Newsweek, ‘I promise to provide unbiased, timely, and accurate intelligence for those making decisions to protect the people of our country.’ This is exactly what we need.
    “Tulsi Gabbard is the right choice to be the Director of National Intelligence. I look forward to confirming her.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Beyond Emilia Pérez: 5 Mexican films that do justice to victims of the drug cartels

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong

    Julieta Egurrola in _Ruido_ (Noise). Courtesy of Netflix ©2022

    Oscar frontrunner Emilia Pérez has received mixed reactions from the film industry, critics and general audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds a 72% critic score – but a dismal 17% from viewers.

    Mexican audiences have been particularly harsh. On its opening weekend in Mexico, the film grossed only US$74,000. Scores of moviegoers even demanded refunds.

    French director Jacques Audiard presents Emilia Pérez as his bold yet compassionate take on Mexico’s drug war and the resulting enforced disappearances. The film, however, has been criticised for how it pities and condescends to Mexicans while lacking real understanding of the violence it claims to represent.

    Those seeking to understand the suffering caused by enforced disappearances in Mexico would do well to look beyond Emilia Pérez. Here are five films you should watch.

    Tempestad

    The 2016 documentary Tempestad (Tempest), directed by Mexican-Salvadoran filmmaker Tatiana Huezo, genuinely engages with suffering and atonement in Mexico’s violent landscape. It follows the experiences of two women with organised crime and the Mexican justice system.

    Miriam Carvajal, a former customs official and mother of a young child, is wrongfully convicted on spurious charges of human trafficking and sent to a prison run by a criminal organisation. To survive, she becomes complicit in the brutal violence inflicted on the most vulnerable inmates, such as migrants.

    Adela Alvarado is a professional clown. She has been searching for her daughter, who disappeared a decade before filming. Despite threats to her life from police officers likely involved in the disappearance, Adela continues her relentless quest to find her child against all odds.

    Both women are driven by love for their children. Miriam is heard but never seen; Adela’s life among circus folk unfolds on camera. This visually highlights that their stories mirror each other yet are not identical.

    Huezo recognises perpetrators can also be victims, but refuses to turn the harm they have caused into an instrument for their redemption.

    Devil’s Freedom

    Everardo González’s 2017 documentary La Libertad del Diablo (Devil’s Freedom) also explores the theme of atonement for perpetrators alongside the suffering of their victims.

    González presents a choral narrative of Mexico’s drug wars. Testimonies come from crime syndicate hitmen, soldiers involved in law enforcement, a mother whose children disappeared, young women whose mothers were taken, and a man tortured by police.

    Victims and perpetrators wear compression masks made for burn treatment, ostensibly to protect their identities. These masks, however, also serve as a haunting equaliser that exposes a society scarred by violence.

    In one powerful scene, a victim recalls pitying her children’s murderer after sensing his shame. She removes the mask following her account of forgiveness and hesitantly smiles at the camera – her trembling lips raising fundamental questions about Mexico’s struggle to heal from the wounds of its drug wars.

    Identifying Features

    Mexican filmmakers have long used fiction to “exorcise the pain” of enforced disappearances, as Mexican actor Giovanna Zacarías puts it. Fernanda Valadez’s debut film, Sin Señas Particulares (Identifying Features, 2020) exemplifies this powerfully.

    Valadez’s restrained narrative avoids the stereotypical passion often attributed to Latin Americans.

    Magdalena (Mercedes Hernández), a modest rural woman, searches for her missing son, Jesús (Juan Jesús Varela), who vanished en route to the United States. Magdalena’s soft voice and timid demeanour conceal quiet defiance – she refuses to be sidelined. We never see those she questions. We witness only the pain on her face and her stoic resolve.

    Mexico is no fairy tale. In the agonising final minutes, Magdalena gains a son even as she loses another – though she cannot be with any of them. Life goes on in Mexico: Magdalena has found a grave to mourn at, and we mourn with her.

    Prayers for the Stolen

    Noche de Fuego (Prayers for the Stolen, 2021) marked Tatiana Huezo’s first foray into fiction filmmaking. The film follows the story of three friends growing up together in the mountains of Mexico, amid normalised violence and enforced disappearances.

    The girls’ world is shaped by strategies for survival, with danger looming from both criminal organisations and the state, embodied by the army. Yet, even in this tense environment, they still experience the everyday joys and struggles of childhood and adolescence.

    Drug violence contextualises the girls’ world – but does not define them. Huezo does not portray them as mere victims. As they grow, we witness how their rural teachers and mothers have provided them with the necessary tools to foster critical thinking.

    Even though local criminals disappear one of the girls, we glimpse a future where her two friends may one day challenge the silence and brutality of the adult world. Despite the premature loss of many childhoods in Mexico, Huezo leaves room for hope.

    Noise

    Natalia Beristain’s Ruido (Noise, 2022) follows Julia (Julieta Egurrola), a middle-class woman in her late 60s. She is the mother of Gertrudis, “Ger,” a student who vanished while on vacation with friends. Confronted with bureaucratic inefficiency and state indifference, Julia is forced to “do the work of others” and investigate Ger’s disappearance herself.

    On her journey, she finds women willing to risk everything for the truth. Among them, she discovers compassion and solidarity, from young feminists demanding justice, to mothers who, having also lost loved ones, guide her through the legal and forensic processes involved in searching for clandestine graves.

    “You are not alone”, the women repeat like a mantra. As Pulitzer Prize-winning Mexican author Cristina Rivera Garza reminds us, grief indeed is never a solitary. We always grieve for and with someone.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Beyond Emilia Pérez: 5 Mexican films that do justice to victims of the drug cartels – https://theconversation.com/beyond-emilia-perez-5-mexican-films-that-do-justice-to-victims-of-the-drug-cartels-249160

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A fierce tussle over a Northern Territory river reveals Australia’s stark choice on water justice

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Quentin Grafton, Australian Laureate Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

    The Roper River Chris Ison/Shutterstock

    Water is now a contested resource around the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in the fight playing out over the Northern Territory’s Roper River – one of the last free-flowing rivers in Australia, nurtured by the enduring presence of First Nations custodians.

    The territory government recently doubled water extraction allowances from the aquifer that feeds the Roper River, making billions of litres available to irrigators, for free. The change risks permanent damage not just to the river but to world-famous springs and sacred sites fundamentally important to Traditional Owners.

    Australia has a very poor track record on maintaining healthy river systems, and on respecting First Nations rights to access and use water.

    The Roper River represents a chance to change course on decades of water policy failure. It also shows we must transform how Australia’s water is valued, who uses it, and who decides how vital rivers should be managed.

    What’s happening on the Roper River?

    The Roper River runs east for 400 kilometres from the Katherine region to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

    First Nations people comprise 73% of the population in the Roper River area. Amid socioeconomic challenges, Country sustains them as it has done for 65,000 years. It is integral to maintaining cultural knowledge, as well as ceremonial practices, environmental care and traditional food systems. Traditional Owners’ rights are recognised through Aboriginal freehold land and native title across the area.

    Irrigated crops including melons, mangoes and cotton are grown over a small part of the river catchment.

    In a string of recent decisions – mainly the designation of regional “water allocation plans” – the territory government has vastly increased potential extraction from underground aquifers. This could allow agriculture and other industries to expand.

    The Mataranka plan, which applies to the Roper River, now allows irrigators to double the amount of water extracted from an underground aquifer crucial to the river’s dry-season flows. These new extraction amounts would fill 25,000 Olympic swimming pools a year. The groundwater also feeds thermal springs at Mataranka – a sacred site and tourism drawcard.

    The groundwater also feeds thermal springs at Mataranka, a tourism drawcard.
    Martin Helgemeir/Shutterstock

    The decision came despite staunch opposition from Traditional Owners. As Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan told SBS:

    Both the previous and the current NT Government have ignored the voices of Traditional Owners, who have repeatedly said that the health and viability of the Roper River and the springs at Mataranka are at great risk.

    Water is life. It is our most valuable resource and Traditional Owners have an obligation to take care of the land and areas of cultural significance.

    The Baaka: a sad story of degradation

    Sadly, this story is not new to Australia. We need only look to the Baaka (Lower Darling River) in New South Wales as a cautionary tale.

    More than a century of water extraction has left the river and its wetlands degraded. This was demonstrated in 2023 when up to 30 million fish died due to low levels of dissolved oxygen, caused by, among other factors, too much water extracted upstream.

    The ecological damage has harmed the health and wellbeing of river communities – especially Traditional Owners such as the Barkandji people, who have long relied on the river for sustenance.

    The problem is getting worse. As research late last year showed, an investment of more than A$8 billion to date has failed to prevent a stark decline in the health of the Murray-Darling Basin river system.

    Martuwarra: another river in peril

    Martuwarra, or the Fitzroy River, runs through Western Australia’s Kimberley region. It is the state’s largest Aboriginal Cultural Heritage site and is on the national heritage list. Evidence indicates human occupation along the Martuwarra for at least 35,000  years.

    Traditional knowledge indicates climate change – among other harms – is threatening the Martuwarra. Ecological and ground water systems are drying up, making traditional food and medicine harder to find.

    This harms Indigenous custodians reliant on the Martuwarra for their lifeways and livelihoods.

    But there is hope. The Indigenous-led Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council has united West Kimberley people, First Peoples and others, along with stakeholders. It seeks to foster joint decision-making on planning and management to take full account of the social, cultural, spiritual and environmental impacts of water allocation across the catchment.

    This world-leading example shows what can be achieved when Traditional Owners and their partners unite to defend nature, water and Country as sources of life, not just resources to be exploited.

    Finding answers

    Many of the world’s largest rivers are suffering from neglect and destruction. Last month, on the world’s inaugural Water Justice Day, people around the globe fighting for water justice came together in Canberra.

    Community members, researchers, Elders, advocates and decision-makers gathered to share stories from Argentina, Australia, India, Kenya, Brazil and Mexico.

    Each tale described people working together to push back against water injustice, whether it involved unequal access, theft, dispossession, pollution or post-truth claims about water.

    Participants also watched the premiere screening of the short film EveryOne, EveryWhere, EveryWhen. It highlights what is at stake for Australia’s living rivers – Baaka, Roper and Martuwarra – and tells of the struggle to bring justice to these rivers and their people.

    A trailer for the film EveryOne, EveryWhere, EveryWhen.

    A fork in the river

    Clearly, the time for water reform is now. So what does this mean in practice?

    First, the precautionary principle must be deeply embedded in all government decisions. This means the potential for serious environmental damage must be properly considered, and actions taken to avoid it, even when science is not certain.

    Second, permission from First Peoples should be obtained for any activity affecting their land or waters, following the principles of “free, prior and informed consent”.

    And finally, both Indigenous knowledge and Western science must be brought together to plan, monitor and regulate all water extraction, to ensure our precious rivers are managed for both the present and the future.

    Australians face a stark choice.

    We can keep gifting valuable water resources to powerful commercial interests, while ignoring the warning signs our rivers are sending.

    Or we can follow First Nations leaders and listen to what Country is telling us: to safeguard water for everyone, including non-human kin, to secure a liveable and thriving future for all.

    In response to issues raised in this article, the NT’s Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, Joshua Burgoyne, said the Mataranka water allocation plan provides certainty to the environment and the community and supports regional economic development.

    He said the plan was “precautionary, evidenced based, and developed with considered involvement from local community representatives” including Traditional Owners, and preserves more than 90% of dry season flows to the Roper River.

    Quentin Grafton receives funding from the Australian Research Council and is the Convenor of the Water Justice Hub.

    Anne Poelina is Chair, Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. She is Professor, Chair and Senior Research Fellow Indigenous Knowledges and affiliated with Nulungu Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Broome. She is Project Lead for an Australian Research Council Funded Project.

    Sarah Milne has received funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. A fierce tussle over a Northern Territory river reveals Australia’s stark choice on water justice – https://theconversation.com/a-fierce-tussle-over-a-northern-territory-river-reveals-australias-stark-choice-on-water-justice-248766

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: High-Ranking Affiliate of Sinaloa Cartel Charged with Drug Conspiracy in Chicago

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    A grand jury in Chicago returned an indictment yesterday charging a high-ranking affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel for allegedly manufacturing and distributing fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs and importing them into the United States.

    “As alleged, the defendant conspired to traffic dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States — and employed dozens of gunmen to protect his drug trafficking operation and the leadership of the Guzman faction of the Sinaloa Cartel,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Stopping Mexican cartels from poisoning our communities with fentanyl and other narcotics is a top priority of this Administration. Today’s indictment demonstrates that the Criminal Division is relentless in its pursuit of the drug traffickers who profit at the expense of the American people.”

    “Our nation’s fentanyl crisis has devastated individuals and families in northern Illinois and throughout the country,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt the production and trafficking of fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics before they can reach more victims.”

    “From San Diego to Chicago to D.C., we are united to bring down the traffickers pushing these poisons into American communities,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California. “We are attacking at every level — from street dealers to cartel leaders.”

    “This indictment reinforces the FBI’s unwavering commitment to hold accountable those who endanger our communities and traffic violence and drugs across our borders,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Let this serve as a clear message: if you engage in cartel activity, we will pursue you and bring you to justice. Together with our law enforcement partners at every level, we remain fully committed to protecting the American people and stopping the flow of these dangerous drugs into our nation.”

    According to court documents, Ceferino Espinoza Angulo, 43, employed dozens of gunmen in Mexico to protect and support the leadership of the Guzman faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, including Ivan Guzman-Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman-Salazar, Ovidio Guzman-Lopez, and Joaquin Guzman-Lopez, collectively known as “the Chapitos.” Espinoza Angulo allegedly conspired to obtain fentanyl precursor chemicals and to manufacture, distribute, and import into the United States fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. Ceferino Espinoza also allegedly illegally possessed a machinegun in furtherance of his drug trafficking scheme.

    The Chapitos are the sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as “El Chapo,” who led the Sinaloa Cartel before being convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, and sentenced to life in prison. The Chapitos allegedly assumed their father’s role as leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. The Chapitos have been charged with drug trafficking in other U.S. indictments.

    Espinoza Angulo is charged with drug conspiracy and firearm offenses. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Espinoza Angulo is believed to be residing in Mexico, and a U.S. warrant has been issued for his arrest.

    The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit, and the Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau, Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Interdiction Taskforce.

    Trial Attorney Kirk Handrich of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Parthum and Andrew C. Erskine for the Northern District of Illinois, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Sutton for the Southern District of California prosecuted the case.

    The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug trafficking organizations and other criminal networks that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Evaluation and revision of Europol mandate – E-002954/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. Evaluating the current EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) Regulation[1] before proposing further amendments aligns with the better regulation agenda. Evaluations aim to help learn about the functioning of EU interventions and assess their performance against initial expectations. An evaluation takes a critical look at whether EU legislation is fit for purpose and delivers its intended objectives at minimum cost. That approach would enable the co-legislators to take better-informed decisions regarding the strengthening of Europol’s mandate.

    2. The Commission acknowledges the importance of timely evaluations of the legislation in force. The new proposal to strengthen the mandate of Europol will build on the evaluation of the current Europol Regulation as well as an impact assessment and a consultation with stakeholders, the European Parliament and Member States, that will include a public consultation. The Commission will therefore consider anticipating the evaluation report to the European Parliament pursuant to Article 68(1) of the Europol Regulation, as amended in 2022[2], and adopt it before 29 June 2027.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA, OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53-114.
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2022/991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2022 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/794, as regards Europol’s cooperation with private parties, the processing of personal data by Europol in support of criminal investigations, and Europol’s role in research and innovation, OJ L 169, 27.6.2022, p. 1-42.
    Last updated: 11 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –