During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Nicolaus FEST (ID, DE) and Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL) statements before the first debate. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Georgia (T)

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

IN 'T VELD, Sophia (Renew, NL)

fight for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (T)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

FEST, Nicolaus (ID, DE)

Resumption of session and order of business: MEPs statements before the first debate

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN &apos;T VELD (Renew, NL), Thank you very much, President. I just would like to ask you, as we speak in Tbilisi, in Georgia, there is a kind of witch hunt going on against LGBTI people. Thousands of hooligans are attacking not just their offices, but people aren't even safe in safe houses anymore.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), They had to flee from the office of the United Nations and the embassy embassies of EU member states, as well as the embassy of the European Union have actually failed to provide support and and shelter.

<p>SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), So I would ask president to issue a statement of support and call on the embassies and specifically the EU embassy to do everything they can to secure the safety of these people and speak to the authorities and insist that police protection can be provided. Thank you.</p>

SOUNDBITE (German), Nicolaus FEST (ID, DE), Thank you very much, President. Well, two weeks ago, in the plenary chamber, there was a reference to the rainbow flag. I think we should also look at the victims of the EU's migration policy. So I would request that the flags be put at half mast and these victims we pay tribute to with a minute's silence.