03/10/2024 | 17:43:58 Yes, ladies and gentlemen, There is a basic need for food. We humans need food to live. That is why we must do everything we can to ensure that there is enough food available for the population, for each and every one of us. The right to food is a fundamental human right that is already enshrined in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which has been ratified by all member states of the Council of Europe. This right includes the basic guarantee of... 25/06/2024 | 18:44:26 The rule of law and human rights are values that we strongly represent in this Assembly and are irrefutable principles for the work and decisions in this Assembly. This applies to all areas and, of course, also to guaranteeing asylum procedures that comply with human rights. For me, these are self-evident. However, the debate as it is being conducted now seems to imply that every asylum seeker automatically has the right to be granted asylum. The fact is, however, that the reasons have to be... 21/06/2023 | 17:59:39 Thank you, Madam Chair Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to comment on the report Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved. In the first moment, I would like to say, I feel, like the previous speaker, this is plausible and worthy of support. However, on closer examination of the report, I will explain why I will still not agree. From my point of view, there has to be a separate approach and a separate assessment, depending on whether it is a legal influx, where... 27/04/2023 | 18:51:24 Trade takes place everywhere and at all times around the world. Trade does not only mean economic performance; it also means jobs and prosperity. International trade, in particular, can also have negative effects. For example, when rainforests are cut down in these areas, food is produced cheaply and exported all over the world. This damages the environment and has a negative impact on the climate. It creates unnecessary competition for agriculture in other countries and harms small family... 15/03/2022 | 15:53:26 Dear Mr President, Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, a message to our Ukrainian delegation and especially to the Ukrainian people; you have our support. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, It is true – in the Council of Europe we have been discussing the relationship with Russia for eight years now, because at that time Russia already violated international law with the occupation of Crimea. I was and still am of the opinion that the Council of Europe should be that body, that place, where we can... 30/01/2020 | 17:32:04 Thank you, Mr Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen, we are debating this report 1523 on concerted action against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, this is a serious violation of human rights and a serious violation of human dignity. But the facts say; trafficking in human beings takes place anyway. Criminals and criminal organisations take advantage of people's plight in order to make a profit. According to UNODC estimates, we are talking about 32 billion US dollars annually. We also... 02/10/2019 | 12:23:07 Thank you, Madam President. Dear Secretary-General, Also, I would like to congratulate you on your election to this post. The topic of human rights is of course the central issue here in the Council of Europe, but there is a whole range of topics to be dealt with. The question for you: you have mentioned you will give priority to a number of issues in the coming months. For me, the issue of migrants and asylum seekers is important, with a clear distinction between the two. In my view, it is... 11/04/2019 | 18:13:57 We discussing a very serious subject. The refugees in the Greek islands need to be accommodated in a better fashion but I am not sure whether the measures suggested here are really the answer and whether they will achieve what we seek. Of course, we need to avoid these unhygienic, squalid conditions in which people are living; those conditions are not worthy of humans. But the objectives of many people who are in these situations are not necessarily one and the same. There are indeed many...