Human Rights
All over the world there are people who do what we take for granted: Denounce corruption, protect their local forest, express their opinions freely, love who they want to love. And yet they are threatened, persecuted and murdered for doing so. Their fight for freedom is our fight for freedom.
Experience shows: When it comes to protecting human rights defenders, the EU can make a difference, especially if it stands united. As a Substitute Member of the Human Rights Committee (DROI), I bring the voices of human rights defenders, who are under increasing pressure worldwide, to Parliament and call for their support. We must not remain silent when people’s rights are being trampled on elsewhere.
Women and girls in Afghanistan are being systematically stripped of their rights. Yet, the EU wants to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels to talk about deportations. In my speech in the European Parliament, I sharply criticised this approach and called on the Commission to withdraw the invitation.
During plenary this week, I addressed Europe’s approach to the Iranian regime. We cannot allow Iran to blackmail us via the Strait of Hormuz. Human rights must be central to any negotiations.
In the Committee on Foreign Affairs with representatives of the Iranian opposition to discuss the situation in Iran and made clear: negotiations must put the people of Iran at the center.
While the world watches rockets and memes, the Iranian regime is killing its citizens in the shadow of war. It is our responsibility to make this visible.
More and more authoritarian regimes are targeting their critics across borders to silence them – also in Europe. Yet, we are still lacking effective political counterstrategieswhich we want to change in the European Parliament.
My assessment of the latest developments involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The regime in Iran systematically and brutally suppresses any form of dissent. In the European Parliament, we once again debated the situation in Iran during plenary and adopted a resolution. We must decisively increase pressure on the regime and provide meaningful support to the people of Iran.
Violence is escalating once again in northeastern Syria. In the European Parliament, we call on all parties to uphold the ceasefire and guarantee minority rights. Syria is not safe for returns.
After years of blockades in the Council, we have finally succeeded: the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are on the EU terrorist list. What this means:
This week, the European Parliament held a debate on the nationwide protests in Iran and the regime’s brutal repression. In addition, we adopted a resolution in support of the people of Iran. More on our demands:
Together with six other colleagues from Greens/EFA I visited East Jerusalem and the West Bank - on a mission to see the situation on the ground, listen to people directly affected, and assess developments that are often discussed in Europe without enough attention to daily reality.
A DROI hearing in the European Parliament focused on how authoritarian regimes extend their repression into the EU – and why Europe must now respond more decisively.