Introductory remarks by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, on the last terrorist attacks in Brussels, during the EP plenary session (11-14 April 2016) in Strasbourg. Minute of silence in the hemicycle

Strasbourg

plenary session

minute of silence

fight against terrorism (T)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Opening of the plenary session: introductory remarks by Martin SCHULZ, EP President on the last terrorist attacks and minute of silence

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The 22 March was a black day for Belgium, a black day for Europe. Cruel murderers attempted series of terrorist attacks in Brussels. 32 innocent people died. 340 innocent people were injured, some of them very heavily. That is an act of inhumanity.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The criminals of IS aimed their attacks at the heart of Europe. They were attacking close to the European institutions are offering a home. They were attacking Brussels, this multilingual, cosmopolitan and tolerant city that embodies our European values ​​and it is an example of our open society. But above all, the murderers aimed on the innocent people of Brussels. Attacks on public places such as airports and subway stations are targeted specifically at innocent people - men and women, even children.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The cynical calculation of such attackers is that the whole of Brussels and whole of Belgium, the whole of Europe is made fearful. Fear and hate can fill our hearts that is why we need to remain calm. Not every Muslim should be placed on the suspicion. Islam should not be linked with the primitive Islamism and the fundamentalists. So we should remember the victims as Europeans with solidarity and stand up against this fear. We cannot be infected by the hatred of the assassin, not counter the hate with more hate, not respond to violence with more violence. Rather the growing suspicion and the growing fear should be combated.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, We should do this by courage and by sticking together and we should defend the freedom of all and our democracy and protect human dignity. We should not forget that people all over the world are almost every day victims of Jihadism: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria - in all these countries has been in recent months innocent people murdered by terrorists. Unfortunately, this list is not even complete.Ladies and gentlemen, let have no illusions this terror is a global challenge. By individual national measures will never defeat it. In the fight against terrorism, we must stand together, everyone together In Europe and in the world. Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the European Parliament I wish the injured a speedy and complete recovery. Victims and their families deserve our deepest sympathy. The victims of this terror, in Brussels and elsewhere should not be forgotten. We cannot forget them. Ladies and gentlemen, please have one minute silence.