Debates on cases of breaches of human rights during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg. Statements on "Ibrahim Halawa potentially facing the death penalty" by Ignazio CORRAO (EFDD, IT), Mark DEMESMAEKER (ECR, BE), Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL), and Lynn BOYLAN (GUE/NGL, IE). Statements on Situation in the Maldives by Gerard DEPREZ (ALDE, BE), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), and Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR). Statements on Malaysia by Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE),and Cecilia WIKSTROM (ALDE, SE)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

CORRAO, Ignazio (Greens/EFA, IT)

respect for human rights in the world (T)

WIKSTRÖM, Cecilia (ALDE, SE)

VERGIAT, Marie-Christine (GUE/NGL, FR)

LOCHBIHLER, Barbara (Greens/EFA, DE)

SARGENTINI, Judith (Greens/EFA, NL)

DEMESMAEKER, Mark (ECR, BE)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

DEPREZ, Gérard (ALDE, BE)

death penalty (T)

BOYLAN, Lynn (The Left, IE)

Cases of breaches of human rights: extracts from the debates on Ibrahim Halawa potentially facing the death penalty - Situation in the Maldives - Malaysia

External shot of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Ignazio CORRAO (EFDD, IT), Since Al Sisi has been ruling in Egypt, we all know very well that the situation is very delicate, that we need to maintain our dialogue with the country, due to its geographic position and the tensions that surround the area. But it is not acceptable for us that laws like this one be used to potentially sentence someone to death penalty for having a different opinion.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Mark DEMESMAEKER (ECR, BE), Today personal freedoms in Egypt are even more restricted than under Mubarak and Human Rights abuses are widespread. Brandishing the death penalty is a form of intimidation and that not the way to a free, democratic, stable country.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL), That's Egypt under Al Sisi. Colleagues around this room say that Egypt is a country where we must cement our ties, our strategic partner in a troubled region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lynn BOYLAN (GUE/NGL, IE), But others have discussed the contents and the case of Ibrahim HALAWA, so what I would like instead is to read the most recent note that Ibrahim has smuggled from prison: 'Today is my 20th birthday and, for the third time, I spend it alone. On this day I would like to send my best to all those who believe in freedom and defend humanity, those who light a candle every night to remeber the weak and opresseed. I don't know you personally, but I pray every sunset that it is time for your candles to light the path of freedom. Go raibh maith agat. (Thank you)

SOUNDBITE (French), G&#233;rard DEPREZ (ALDE, BE), There are singular places in the world, some are popular holiday destinations often described as paradise. But for some that live there, their experience is closer to hell. That's the case of the Maledives, a country that re-established sharia in 2014 and that allows for death penalty to be implemented even to children of the age of 7, minors senteced to death with remain imprisoned until they reach majority and then be executed. A country that punishes extramarital sexual relations with lashes or lapidation, even in case of rape. A young woman was lashed in public after being a victim of a collective rape. Mr. Commissioner, we at the Commission and the Parliament multiply the rules on food or others and set quality standards, sholdn't we reflect and ask tour operators to identify and distinguish tourist destinations according to their respect of fundamental Human Rights?  

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), As freedom of the media, expression, association are clamped down on, (President) Gayoom appears to be reconstructing a one party authoritarian state, based on the model of his half-brither and pandering to local islamist radical influences.

SOUNDBITE (French), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), In this oppressive climate and in a context of strong inequalities, the Maldives are the country of that region that is sending the greatest number of young people to Iraq and Syria, in relation to its total population.

SOUNDBITE (German), Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), In Malaysia restrictive laws are used to massively restrict the rights of assembly and of opinion, especially when it comes to actors of the civil society that express criticism of the government. They are often imprisoned and taken to court for political trials.  

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Cecilia WIKSTR&#214;M (ALDE, SE), Legislation allows attack to be carried on civil society, academics, the media and the opposition. That's why we call on, in this resolution, the government to immediately release political prisoners and normal people, who have just used their right to express themselves but who don't constitute a risk, certainly not for the security of the country.