During the plenary session (25-28 November 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, David SASSOLI, EP President makes the opening remarks on the illumination of the Paliament's LOW building in orange to mark the international day for the elimination of gender-based violence.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

violence against women (T)

Opening remarks by David SASSOLI, EP President, on the illumination of the LOW building in orange for the International Day to eliminate violence against women

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President,: Colleagues, we must end our silence and bring an end to the shameful situation of beam of impunity. Gender based violence is a crime against humanity. And it's also one of the main obstacles to the emancipation of women and girls ran counter to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. It has devastating consequences for the victims, but also for our societies.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President,: And it's our shared task to bring an end to violence against women and girls. This is a constant daily task which should stir us to indignation, but also cause us to take action to ensure gender equality, to prevent violence, to protect victims and make sure that those responsible are brought before the courts.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President,: We must act to ensure that we have coordinated across the board policies, bringing all the players together and defending women and girls. Today, all our member states must use the Istanbul Convention, the first legally binding international convention intended to fight violence against women and children.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President,: On the occasion of the 2019 International Day on the ending of Violence Against Women, we will sign up to the Orange the World Initiative, casting light on the future of women and girls who will have a brighter future without violence.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President,: We will be turning on orange lights in Parliament out of solidarity with all those women who have been victims of violence and send out a message of peace and our intention to defend our values. The values of the European Union. And that is why colleagues may ask you to observe a minute's silence for all those women who have been victims of violence. Thank you.