During the plenary session (17/05/2010 to 23/05/2010) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, such as religious freedom in Pakistan and the situation in Thailand and Burma.

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), On Pakistan: Proliferation of madras preaching messages of hatred against the West has created an environment in which extremism and fundamentalism flourish. Too many EU citizens are going through that oppression. The clearest manifestation of this is the Pakistani - Taliban terrorist movement, whose intentions were again made clear recently in the mercifully failed Time's Square bomb in New York. I fear that nothing will change in Pakistan till that country develops an education and political system that truly supports the principles of religious freedom, tolerance and equality.

SOUNDBITE (French), Nicole KIIL-NIELSEN (Greens/EFA, FR), I would need two days to describe the terrible situation that women and young girls are suffering in Pakistan. We in the Parliament want to be able to use our veto rights to block the readmission agreement between the EU and Pakistan, because we want to ensure that more guarantees are provided for Pakistani nationals and Afghan nationals in transit via Pakistan.

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, European Commissioner, On Pakistan: On the framework of the human rights dialogue with Pakistan the EU regularly raise the issue of the 'blasphemy law' in Pakistan. It would appear that most of the offenders are Muslims, but I am aware of the fact that this law on blasphemy has often been used against religious minorities, and that false allegations were launch simply to settle personal disputes.

SOUNDBITE (French), V&#233;ronique DE KEYSER (S&amp;D, BE), On Tha&iuml;land: I condemn the fact that real bullets were used against the demonstrators. According to official sources 12 victims fell as result of these events, including one Italian journalist. It is time to stop this, I am not going to promote one side or the other but I urge the government to give priority to negotiations rather than simply try to restrict individual freedoms and the freedom of expression by a law under state of emergency... I call also on the government to think of calling elections.

SOUNDBITE (German), Thomas MANN (EPP, DE), On Tha&iuml;land: There is no alternative to dialogue and an independent commission should be set up to investigate the events; we'd like to see also early elections in Thailand. The EU must take up a more active role and act as a mediator, we have to be sure that there is no escalation and encourage constructive discussion so Commissioner, let please have confidence in our ability to help while Thailand suffers.

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, European Commissioner, On Tha&iuml;land: The fact that negotiations need to resume as soon as possible; explaining that the situation needs structural problems to be solved, legitimate claims made by the underprivileged parts of society should be recognised by the authorities in the country. This is an essential step towards national reconciliation; consensus with all parts concerned must be found, the EU will support Thailand in this very complex procedure.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT), On Burma: The international community must act against the oppressors of the Burmese people, the EU can do much more than just renewing sanctions on the regime, it should smartly use all possible means to strengthen civil society and assist those who resist oppression in Burma. It must work to mobilise the UN, ASEAN and the US to put pressure on China and India to end the support for the Burmese regime, and to stop the arms trade, namely with North-Korea.

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, European Commissioner, On Burma: Our efforts to promote our values will continue and Burmese people are being helped and they know that the Commission will carry on standing by their future.

Pasākuma datums	19.05.2010.
Reference:	ebs70384V
Formāts:	4:3 format
Copyright:	© European Union
copyrightYear:	2010

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

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