Debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the EP plenary Session in Strasbourg.&nbsp;Blasphemy laws in Pakistan,&nbsp;the case of accused war criminal &Scaron;e&scaron;elj in Serbia and the&nbsp;kidnapping and mistreatment of women in Iraq

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

respect for human rights in the world (T)

LAMBERT, Jean (Greens/EFA, UK)

STYLIANIDES, Christos (CY, EC)

GOMES, Ana (S&D, PT)

PLENKOVIĆ, Andrej (EPP, HR)

TOMAŠIĆ, Ruža (ECR, HR)

ŠKRLEC, Davor (Greens/EFA, HR)

MARTIN, Edouard (S&D, FR)

CAMPBELL BANNERMAN, David (ECR, UK)

Debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: Blasphemy laws in Pakistan, the case of accused war criminal Seselj in Serbia and the kidnapping and mistreatment of women in Iraq

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK), Chair of the Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia, "I think there are many people in Pakistan who recognise that there is a need for change. Not just for minorities but for all Pakistanis whatever their belief. People shouldn't be facing arbitrary accusation, they shouldn't be in a situation where evidences are presented against them which they cannot hear and which they cannot contest. But we also have to realize that to argue for change is really literally putting your life on the line."

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT), "The blasphemy law prevents freedom of religion and oppresses minorities such as Christians, Muslims, Shias, and Sunnis... Pakistan needs to take account of these freedoms and ensure they are respected because otherwise we will be creating terrorists. Pakistani civil society wants to live in a democratic country and we need to give a clear message and support those who are fighting from freedom and human rights".

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Commissioner, "Despite blasphemy legislation being a sensitive issue within the Pakistani society, the EU message is that leaders whether political or religious, must find the courage to address it".

SOUNDBITE (Croatian), Ru&#382;a TOMA&#352;I&#262; (ECR, HR), "This whole circus would not have happened would the Serbian authorities immediately distance themselves and condemn the six statements made by Seselj. I know that they were colleagues in the past and closer associates but now they are leaders of the republic of Serbia and it should be in their own interest to place him under arrest and to condemn him and to move on towards Europe".

SOUNDBITE (Croatian), Davor &#352;KRLEC (Greens/EFA, HR), "Although the ICTY was well aware of the risk, it acted irresponsibly and its actions may now destabilise the region and further erode the credibility of the institution and the public trust. I expect the institutions in Serbia to act responsibly as may be expected from a candidate country in line with the basic rules of the EU".

SOUNDBITE (Croatian), Andrej PLENKOVIC (EPP, HR), "What is the problem President Nikolic, Prime Minister Vucic? Why are you silent? Because you are afraid of Seselj? If you keep on being silent we will have to ask ourselves what do you really think about all this. You have to act! "

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Commissioner, "The EU respects the Tribunal's decision. As far as Seselj is concerned, his statement belongs to an &eacute;poque which is long gone. We know that the case against him is still on-going and that he will have to return to the Tribunal when so requested by the Tribunal, a very important point. With regard to Serbia we welcome the countries commitment to work towards its European future and towards regional cooperation and reconciliation; cooperation with the Tribunal is an important element in this context."

SOUNDBITE (English), David CAMPBELL BANNERMAN (ECR, UK), Chair of the Delegation for relations with Iraq , "I condemn without reservation the barbaric killings, kidnapping, rapes, sexual violence and torture committed by ISIS fighters in Iraq. Such actions arguably constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. These terrorist acts against women and girls committed by the so-called Islamic State and associated groups are inhuman. They also include targeted attacks against members of the ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Assyrians, Christians, Yazidis and Turkmen."

SOUNDBITE (French), Edouard MARTIN (S&amp;D, FR), "Women are forced into violence, are being raped, enslaved, they are being sold in the Mosul markets for fixed prizes and the prizes vary if they have light eyes or they are under 15. Today more than 6500 Yazidi women are listed as disappeared, and the members of DAESH are now targeting all women, which are the primary victims of war. They are 'exchange currency' in the region and we need to send a clear message of condemnation in this resolution".