Following recent attacks in different EU member states, both verbal and physical, MEPs debate how to combat the climate of hatred and physical violence against democratically elected mandate holders during the plenary session (30-31 January 2019) in Brussels. Statements by Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (EPP, PL), Tanja FAJON (S&D, SI) and Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL).

Brussels

debate

plenary session

LEGUTKO, Ryszard Antoni (ECR, PL)

KING, Julian (UK, EC)

LEWANDOWSKI, Janusz (EPP, PL)

FAJON, Tanja (S&D, SI)

fight against stalking crimes and victim protection (T)

Combatting the climate of hatred and physical violence against democratically elected mandate holders: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, It will be no free and fair elections across Europe, if there is a climate of hatred and threats of violence against candidates those holding democratically elected mandates. Unfortunately, we've seen that even the Members of this Parliament are not immune from violence and abuse because of the views that they express. And we must deplore that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, There had been coordinated disinformation campaigns which aimed to discredit and delegitimize elections around Europe. Sometimes conducted by third countries and sometimes by private interests from within our countries that do not have citizens and our democratic processes at heart.

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Rather a comprehensive approach is essential to ensure electoral security and legitimacy while preserving an open democratic debate, a level playing field and the security of all those involved in our democratic processes. We must never lose sight, that all our efforts need to be fully rooted in protecting, promoting the rule of law and respect fundamental rights, in particularly, the freedoms of expression and association, which after all, is what we are fighting to defend in our democratic processes and elections.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (EPP, PL), In the case of Poland, the hate speech was nationalised and the public media criticised Mister Adamowicz on many platforms. This was tolerated, and you could hang maps in the market square and then there were death certificates issued for the mayors of cities which would accept the refugees.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (EPP, PL), So I hope that the death of Mr ADAMOWICZ will be a wake-up call for us. If we doubt in the self-limitation of the political elites, of different codes of best practices, then we must improve regulation, legislation. And it must be followed. And hate speech must be eliminated, in particular on the internet, there it is most dangerous because of anonymity.

SOUNDBITE (null), Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), <p>But colleagues, hate speech, violence, but physical and psychological, are not and should not be normal. Inciting to any kinds of hatred aimed at politicians, public officials or other citizens is destructive and counter-productive. We Europeans do not deserve it. Europe does not deserve it. That is why I would like to warn anyone that would like to profit from this that your endeavours will be short-lived. On behalf of S&amp;D I call upon everyone to use reason. </p>

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL), A couple of years ago the Mayor of Gdansk was assassinated by a man about whom we know that he was a convicted criminal, with a long psychiatric record. And immediately, immediately after the murder, the political opposition in Poland put the blame on the Polish government, on the public media, making something utterly non-political, a .monstrous, horrendous, act of murder. Absolutely non-political at all.