30/09/2026 | 17:57:07 Thank you, Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, The credibility of the international legal order rests on a simple principle: those who commit even the gravest crimes must be held accountable. The International Criminal Court (ICC) plays a pivotal role in this regard. Its mandate is to address the most serious international crimes whenever the conditions for its jurisdiction are met. Any pressure exerted on the Court’s independence must therefore be taken seriously. Judges, prosecutors, and other... 29/09/2026 | 20:52:17 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Madam chair, Dear colleagues, Inclusion and the opportunity to have a say are the foundations of a functioning democracy. This applies to immigrants and diaspora communities as well. The report highlights the potential of diasporas to strengthen social cohesion and democratic participation. This is an important perspective. At the same time, we must remember that successful integration is a reciprocal process. The host society must provide... 29/09/2026 | 20:30:18 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Mister chair, Dear colleagues, Europe's security environment has changed fundamentally. Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine has also reminded us that the consequences of war do not end when a soldier returns from the front. Europe is now home to the largest number of veterans since the Second World War. This requires us to pursue a long-term and consistent policy regarding veterans. Supporting veterans cannot be limited to healthcare alone... 29/09/2026 | 11:37:24 Thank you, Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, The events in Ceuta are not merely a Spanish issue. They are a European issue. This summer, tens of thousands of people crossed Europe’s external border in Ceuta within a short period of time. The situation once again demonstrated how quickly uncontrolled migration can develop into a serious security challenge. And although the largest waves of border crossings may now be behind us, the consequences of the crisis have not disappeared. Europe has both... 24/06/2026 | 12:37:28 Mister President, Dear colleagues, Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant technological developments of our time. It has enormous potential to improve our economy, public services, education and everyday life. Used responsibly, AI can help solve many of the challenges our societies face. At the same time, we must be aware of its risks. Democracy depends on trust. People must be able to trust the information they receive and make decisions based on facts. AI can create highly... 22/04/2026 | 11:10:56 Thank you, Mister President. Dear colleagues, Violence against women is one of the most serious human rights violations of our time, and it is also a reality here in Europe. Gender-based violence is not a private issue. It is a shared problem for our societies, and it affects far too many women and girls every single day. The Istanbul Convention is the strongest international tool we have to prevent and address this violence. The report before us clearly shows that international attention and... 21/04/2026 | 20:23:48 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Madam President, dear colleagues, This report highlights a problem that concerns us all. Hate speech, harassment and direct threats against politicians are increasing. The language is getting harsher, and the behaviour more aggressive. Anonymity, especially on social media, makes this worse in a time when information spreads fast. This is not about freedom of speech or strong opinions. This is about actions that have real consequences for... 01/10/2025 | 13:19:02 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Mister President, dear colleagues, The work of journalists is the cornerstone of democracy. They report the truth and bring us reliable information from places we cannot go to. In crisis areas this task is important but also dangerous. Too many journalists must bear a too heavy burden for their work: arrests, violence, torture and even death. This Assembly cannot accept that the Russian Federation is keeping journalists in captivity. This is... 26/06/2025 | 11:02:35 Thank you, Madam President. Migrant tragedies at sea are humanitarian catastrophes. We must help those in distress, that is clear. At the same time, we must be honest about what works and what does not and what causes more harm than good, both for the migrants and for the receiving countries. In 2023, over 2 000 people died trying to cross the Mediterranean. This is a horrific number, but it highlights the flaws of the current system. The sea has become a highway for human smuggling via... 25/06/2025 | 11:47:15 Mr President, Dear colleagues, Sport should unite people, not divide them. Sport must not be a tool for politics, but neither should it be an area of silence or fear. The freedom of expression of athletes and their right to defend human rights must be protected. Political neutrality cannot and must not mean moral indifference. The essence of sport is community, respect and fair competition. It is our responsibility to ensure that countries hosting international sporting events are committed...