Q1 2026 Greenfirst Forest Products Inc Earnings Call

Speaker #1: Notre cinquième point va aborder la situation des droits de l'homme en Chine axés sur la loi de la promotion de l'unité du progrès ethnique, et ses implications pour les minorités ethniques.

Mounir Satouri: Notre cinquième point va aborder la situation des droits de l'homme en Chine axée sur la Loi sur la Promotion de l'Unité et du Progrès Ethnique et ses implications pour les minorités ethniques. La semaine dernière, nous avons adopté en plénière une résolution forte sur la Loi chinoise sur la Promotion de l'Unité Ethnique et du Progrès. La discussion aujourd'hui va permettre d'en donner un suivi immédiat pour approfondir notre compréhension de cette loi et ses implications pour les plus de 55 communautés minoritaires résidant en Chine. Au-delà de cette loi, nous souhaitons, avec cette discussion, faire une mise à jour sur la situation des droits humains en Chine, alors que plusieurs organes du Parlement européen auront l'occasion dans les prochains mois d'échanger avec les autorités chinoises.

Speaker #1: La semaine dernière, nous avons adopté en plénière une résolution forte sur la loi chinoise sur la promotion de l'unité ethnique, et du progrès. La discussion aujourd'hui va permettre d'en donner un suivi immédiat pour approfondir notre compréhension de cette loi et ses implications pour les plus de 55 communautés minoritaires résidant en Chine.

Speaker #1: Au-delà de cette loi, nous souhaitons avec cette discussion faire une mise à jour sur la situation des droits humains en Chine, alors que plusieurs organes du Parlement européen auront l'occasion dans les prochains mois d'échanger avec les autorités chinoises.

Speaker #1: Nous nous souvenons au moment où la Chine a levé ses sanctions contre notre sous-commission et contre les membres de ce Parlement, la conférence des présidents a insisté sur le fait que le Parlement n'allait pas fermer les yeux sur les défis qui persistent dans les relations UE-Chine et notamment en matière de droits humains.

Mounir Satouri: Nous nous en souvenons au moment où la Chine a levé ses sanctions contre notre sous-commission et quand les membres de ce Parlement, la Conférence des présidents a insisté sur le fait que le Parlement n'allait pas fermer les yeux sur les défis qui persistent dans les relations UE-Chine et notamment en matière de droits humains. Fidèles à cet engagement, nous avons réuni aujourd'hui un panel d'éminents spécialistes à qui je souhaite très chaleureusement la bienvenue et je les remercie pour leur présence. On va, on a la chance d'avoir parmi nous Madame Sarah Brooks, Directrice Chine pour Amnesty International, Madame Tencho Gyatso, présidente de la Campagne internationale pour le Tibet, Monsieur Kerry Brown, professeur au King's College et chercheur associé à Chatham House et Madame Nicoletta Pusterla, Chef de la division adjointe de la Chine, Hong Kong, Macao, Taïwan et Mongolie du SEAE.

Speaker #1: Fidèle à cet engagement, nous avons réuni aujourd'hui un panel d'éminents spécialistes, à qui je souhaite très chaleureusement la bienvenue et je les remercie pour leur présence.

Speaker #1: Et on va on a la chance d'avoir parmi nous Madame Sarah Brooks, directrice Chine pour Amnesty International, Madame Tenko Gatsu, présidente de la campagne internationale pour le Tibet, Monsieur Keri Brown, professeur au King's College et chercheur associé à la Chatman House, et Madame Nicoleta Pusterla, cheffe de la division adjointe de la Chine en Congo, Macao, Taïwan, et Mongolie d'USAE.

Speaker #1: Mais avant de leur donner la parole, chers Nguyen, je vous souhaite, Monsieur le Président, la bienvenue dans cette commission et vous donne la parole pour quelques remarques introductives.

Mounir Satouri: Mais avant de leur donner la parole, cher Engin, je vous souhaite, Monsieur le Président, la bienvenue dans cette commission et vous donne la parole pour quelques remarques introductives.

Speaker #2: Il y a, euh, lieber Herr Vorsitzender, Herr Saturi, vielen lieben Dank für die Einladung zu der heutigen aus meiner Sicht sehr, sehr wichtigen gemeinsamen Sitzung, ähm, des Menschenrechtsausschusses und des, ähm, Ausschusses für die Beziehung zur Volksrepublik China.

Engin Eroglu: Lieber Herr Vorsitzender, Herr Satouri, vielen lieben Dank für die Einladung zu der heutigen aus meiner Sicht sehr wichtigen gemeinsamen Sitzung des Menschenrechtsausschuss und des Ausschuss für die Beziehung zur Volksrepublik China. Ich bin zu 100% Ihrer Meinung, dass die Sitzung heute unglaublich hohen Stellenwert hat. Wenn in China ein Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit beschlossen wird, dann ist die ganze Welt zu Recht, zumindest die ganze Welt, die sich um Menschenrechte sorgt und kümmert und für diese einsteht, zu Recht besorgt. Warum sind wir besorgt? Einfach in den vergangenen Jahren China nicht das Optimist, nicht das Vorbild für den Einhalter von Menschenrechten waren.

Speaker #2: Ich bin, ähm, zu 100 Prozent Ihrer Meinung, dass, äh, die Sitzung heute unglaublich hohen Stellenwert hat, denn wenn in China ein Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit beschlossen wird, dann ist die ganze Welt zu Recht, zumindest die ganze Welt, die sich Menschenrechte sorgt und kümmert und für diese einsteht, zu Recht besorgt.

Speaker #2: Warum sind wir besorgt? Weil einfach in den vergangenen Jahren, äh, China nicht das Optimist, äh, nicht das Vorbild für den Einhaltung von Menschenrechten waren.

Speaker #2: Es ist sozusagen einfach eine, eine, eine jahrzehntelange Beobachtung, sei es jetzt, ähm, dass der Verbot der mongolischen Sprache sei es die Unterdrückung, äh, der Tibeter oder sei es, äh, wie auch zuletzt die, ähm, die katastrophalen Leaks, die wir aus der Region Xinjiang, äh, sehen mussten mit den Zwangssterilisierungen der Frauen, ähm, dass wir sehr besorgt sind.

Engin Eroglu: Es ist sozusagen einfach eine jahrzehntelange Beobachtung, sei es jetzt, das Verbot der mongolischen Sprache, sei es die Unterdrückung der Tibeter oder sei es wie auch zuletzt die katastrophalen Leaks, die wir aus der Region Xinjiang sehen mussten mit den Zwangssterilisierungen der Frauen, dass wir sehr besorgt sind. Wenn ein Land in all diesen und vielen weiteren Fällen ein Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit beschließt, womit wir gerade auch in der Europäischen Union ja, mit einer Gesetzführung der ethnischen, vielleicht deutschen Einheit, die mal aus Nazi-Deutschland geplant war, wirklich besorgt sind und schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht haben, dann ist das der richtige Zeitpunkt, dass wir uns zusammensetzen, darüber diskutieren, dass diese Gedanken der ethnischen Einheit besorgniserregend sind.

Speaker #2: Und wenn ein Land in all diesen und vielen weiteren Fällen, ein Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit beschließt, ähm, äh, womit wir gerade auch in der Europäischen Union ja, ähm, mit einer, äh, Gesetzführung der ethnischen vielleicht deutschen Einheit, die mal, äh, aus dem Nazi-Deutschland geplant war, wirklich besorgt sind und schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht haben, dann ist das der richtige Zeitpunkt, äh, dass wir uns zusammensetzen, darüber diskutieren, dass diese Gedanken der ethnischen Einheit, ähm, besorgniserregend sind.

Speaker #2: Und wir haben, ähm, vergangene Woche eine, äh, sehr starke Resolution gemeinsam beschlossen mit 439 Mitgliedern des Europäischen Parlamentes, die dafür gestimmt haben, äh, wir haben eine intensive Aussprache und Diskussion gehabt und Vorbereitung dieser Resolution, dann auch, äh, abends, äh, in der Aussprache.

Engin Eroglu: Wir haben vergangene Woche eine sehr starke Resolution gemeinsam beschlossen mit 439 Mitgliedern des Europäischen Parlamentes, die dafür gestimmt haben. Wir haben ja eine intensive Aussprache und Diskussion gehabt in Vorbereitung dieser Resolution, dann auch abends in der Aussprache. Wir sehen, es geht ja weiter. Ich möchte diesen Punkt hier durchaus auch ansprechen. Die Absage der RightsCon dieses Jahr in Zambia sollte uns tatsächlich auch mit Besorgnis erregen. Wenn eine internationale Konferenz zur Menschenrechtslage abgesagt wird, weil wahrscheinlich die chinesische Regierung dort erhebliche Intervention hatte, weil dort taiwanesische Menschen, also taiwanesische Bevölkerung spricht, macht das letztendlich mir auch Besorgnis, weil es am Ende des Tages ein Angriff auf die globale Versammlungs- und Meinungsfreiheit ist.

Speaker #2: Und wir sehen, es geht ja weiter. Ich möchte diesen Punkt hier durchaus auch ansprechen. Die Absage der Reizkommen, äh, dieses Jahr in Sambia sollte uns tatsächlich auch mit Besorgnis erregen, denn wenn eine internationale Konferenz zu Menschenrechtslage abgesagt wird, weil wahrscheinlich, ähm, die chinesische Regierung dort erhebliche Interventionen, ähm, ähm, hatte, weil dort, äh, taiwanesische Menschen, also taiwanesische Bevölkerung spricht, macht das letztendlich mir auch besorgnis, weil es am Ende des Tages ein Angriff auf die globale Versammlungs- und Meinungsfreiheit ist.

Speaker #2: Und ich glaube, wir sollten hier klar sagen, und ich hoffe, vielleicht hört auch ein chinesischer Vertreter das, äh, heute zu, ähm, wir in Europa sagen, was wir denken, und wir handeln, was wir sagen.

Engin Eroglu: Ich glaube, wir sollten hier klar sagen und ich hoffe, vielleicht hört auch ein chinesischer Vertreter heute zu, wir in Europa sagen, was wir denken und wir handeln, was wir sagen. Wir sind frei gewählte Mitglieder des Europäischen Parlamentes und lassen uns von niemandem einschüchtern, wenn es darum geht, globale Menschenrechte zu verteidigen, weil das die Lehren sind, die wir auf diesem Kontinent nach viel Elend ziehen durften. Deswegen freue ich mich auf dieses tolle Podium, was Sie heute eingeladen haben. Vielen Dank dafür, Herr Vorsitzender. Es ist ein unglaubliches, wichtiges Podium, was wir heute haben. Wehret den Anfängen. Ein Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit sollte uns in der ganzen Welt, in der ganzen Welt durchaus dazu bringen, dass wir anfangen, darüber nachzudenken, nicht die Fehler der Vergangenheit wieder zu machen.

Speaker #2: Wir sind frei gewählte Mitglieder des Europäischen Parlaments und lassen uns von niemandem einschüchtern, wenn es darum geht, globale Menschenrechte zu verteidigen. Weil das die Lehren sind, die wir auf diesem Kontinent nach viel Elend, ähm, ziehen durften.

Speaker #2: Und deswegen freue ich mich auf dieses tolle Podium, was Sie heute eingeladen haben. Vielen Dank dafür, Herr Vorsitzender. Es ist ein unglaubliches wichtiges Podium, was wir heute haben.

Speaker #2: Denn wir, während den Anfängen, ein Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit sollte uns in der ganzen Welt in der ganzen Welt durchaus dazu bringen, dass wir anfangen, darüber nachzudenken, nicht die Fehler der Vergangenheit wiederzumachen.

Speaker #2: Und dieses Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit, darf kein Lehrstuhl für andere Drittstaaten auf dieser Welt werden. Unvorstellbar, wenn es so würde. In diesem Sinne freue ich mich auf die Diskussion, auf die intensive Diskussion, auch mit diesen Kollegen, mit den Kollegen im Haus, denn glauben Sie mir, das ist vielleicht eine Diskussion, die dieses Jahrhundert auch bestimmen wird.

Engin Eroglu: Dieses Gesetz zur ethnischen Einheit darf kein Lehrstuhl für andere Drittstaaten auf dieser Welt werden. Unvorstellbar, wenn es so würde. In diesem Sinne freue ich mich auf die Diskussion, auf die intensive Diskussion auch mit den Kollegen im Haus. Glauben Sie mir, das ist vielleicht eine Diskussion, die dieses Jahrhundert auch bestimmen wird. Vielen lieben Dank.

Speaker #2: Vielen lieben Dank.

Speaker #1: Merci à toi d'être là, associer les délégations des autres commissions de travaux est un choix collectif de notre sous-commission qui donne du sens à notre travail, donc merci d'être là.

Mounir Satouri: Merci à toi d'être là. Associer les délégations des autres commissions à nos travaux est un choix collectif de notre sous-commission qui donne du sens à notre travail. Merci d'être là. Je vais donner la parole tout de suite à Madame Brooks pour une intervention de 6 minutes.

Speaker #1: Et je vais donner la parole tout de suite à Madame Brooks pour une intervention de six minutes.

Speaker #3: Merci beaucoup, Monsieur le Président. Thank you, Chair. Amnesty's 2025 Human Rights Report is unequivocal. Over the years, as in previous years, Chinese authorities exerted unrelenting control over information and public discourse.

Sarah Brooks: Merci beaucoup Monsieur le Président. Thank you, chair. Amnesty's 2025 human rights report is unequivocal. Over the year, as in previous years, Chinese authorities exerted unrelenting control over information and public discourse. They continued to suppress dissent and peaceful assembly, surveil defenders, writers, artists, and other civil society actors, and prosecute and eventually convict many of them of so-called crimes under vague national security provisions. Groups who had earlier enjoyed some space to operate, such as Christians, feminists, and members of the LGBTI community, faced further restrictions and harsher punishments. China continued to use the death penalty and continued to refuse to share data on the extent to which it did. Two key parts of our report are worth special attention here. First, we describe how ethnic groups, including Uyghurs and Tibetans, remained under strict political and cultural control.

Speaker #3: They continued to suppress dissent and peaceful assembly, surveil, defenders, society actors. And prosecute and eventually convict many of them of so-called crimes under vague national security provisions.

Speaker #3: Groups who had earlier enjoyed some space to operate, such as Christians, feminists, and members of the LGBTI community, faced further restrictions and harsher punishment.

Speaker #3: China continued to use the death penalty and continued to refuse to share data on the extent to which it did. Two key parts of our report are worth special attention here.

Speaker #3: First, we describe how ethnic groups, including Uyghurs and Tibetans, remained under strict political and cultural control. Even before this law went into effect, the labyrinth of regulations, decisions, and political initiatives repressed individuals in the Uyghur region and many others, including with respect to EFC rights.

Sarah Brooks: Even before this law went into effect, the labyrinth of regulations, decisions and political initiatives repressed individuals in the Uyghur region and many others, including with respect to ESC rights. New national level laws have reinforced state-led linguistic homogenization and narrowed the space for cultural diversity. Although the UN's 2022 report on the situation in Xinjiang included a raft of recommendations, Amnesty has found no evidence of those being implemented. To the contrary, like with the Ethnic Unity Law, we saw only cases that went in the opposite direction. My point is this, that the Ethnic Unity Law is worrying not simply in that it brings significant new challenges to rights. It is worrying because it codifies and normalizes already existing, apparently ad hoc, but no less rights violating law, policy and practice subnationally. It pushes Mandarin instruction and boarding school for preschoolers in Tibet.

Speaker #3: New national-level laws have reinforced state-led linguistic homogenization and narrowed the space for cultural diversity. Although the UN's 2022 report on the situation in Xinjiang included a raft of recommendations, Amnesty has found no evidence of those being implemented.

Speaker #3: To the contrary, like with ethnic unity law, we saw only cases that went in the opposite direction. My point is this: that the ethnic unity law is worrying not simply in that it brings significant new challenges to rights, it is worrying because it codifies and normalizes already existing apparently ad hoc but no less rights violating law, policy, and practice subnationally.

Speaker #3: It pushes Mandarin instruction and boarding school for preschoolers in Tibet. The use of Chinese language education as a fig leaf for the mass incarceration of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other non-Han ethnic groups, or the pressure on Hong Kong students to engage in organized mainland study tours.

Sarah Brooks: The use of Chinese language education as a fig leaf for the mass incarceration of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other non-Han ethnic groups, or the pressure on Hong Kong students to engage in organized mainland study tours. We must not lose sight of the fact that some of these have contributed to at least crimes against humanity, nor that they underguard an ethnonationalist vision of the state. Unity is not neutral coexistence, it is political ideological alignment. A second element is the extraterritorial application. The rising brazenness and belligerence with which Chinese and Hong Kong authorities adopt and seek to enforce laws with impact well beyond their borders is astonishing. Take, for example, the National Security Law or Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong. Aside from laws on paper, transnational repression has continued in practice.

Speaker #3: We must not lose sight of the fact that some of these have contributed to at least crimes against humanity, nor that they underguard an ethnonationalist vision of the state.

Speaker #3: Unity is not neutral coexistence. It is political, ideological alignments. A second element is the extraterritorial application. The rising brazenness and belligerence with which Chinese and Hong Kong authorities adopt and seek to enforce laws with impact well beyond their borders is astonishing.

Speaker #3: Take, for example, the national security law or Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong. But aside from laws on paper, transnational repression has continued in practice.

Speaker #3: The authorities engage in acts such as surveillance, censorship, harassment, legal actions, and exert leverage over other states to forcibly return people to China or to take steps to restrict rights.

Sarah Brooks: The authorities engage in acts such as surveillance, censorship, harassment, legal actions, and exert leverage over other states to forcibly return people to China or to take steps to restrict rights, as our colleague here has noted with respect to the situation in Zambia with RightsCon. In the Ethnic Unity Law, acts that undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division are poorly defined. This is a hallmark of Chinese legislative practice that ensures the party state maintains the prerogative to prosecute where and whom it wishes with impunity. Worryingly, Article 63 of the law explicitly states that organizations or individuals engaged in such acts outside PRC territory are to be held legally liable. It's not an option, it's a diktat.

Speaker #3: As our colleague here has noted with respect, to the situation in Zambia with rights con. In the ethnic unity law, acts that undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division are poorly defined.

Speaker #3: This is a hallmark of Chinese legislative practice that ensures the party-state maintains the prerogative to prosecute where and whom it wishes, with impunity. Worryingly, Article 63 of the law explicitly states that organizations or individuals engaged in such acts outside PRC territory are to be held legally liable.

Speaker #3: It's not an option. It's a diktat. Some say in Europe, or anywhere else for that matter, wish to call for Tibetan independence. Or for responsible supply chain due diligence.

Sarah Brooks: Some say in Europe or anywhere else for that matter, wish to call for Tibetan independence or for responsible supply chain due diligence, or for an end to the unjust detention of Sakharov Prize winner Ilham Tohti. For their exercise of fundamental freedoms, the Ethnic Unity Law and its criminal punishment now hangs over their head. The European Parliament and the EU must urgently take action on the deepening Chinese government repression inside and outside the country. The adoption of this appalling legislation is a rude wake-up call for all in this room, in Brussels and beyond, as to how, quote unquote, domestic and foreign issues are linked. Pursuing dialogue and cooperation must not come at the expense of accountability for serious and systemic human rights violations.

Speaker #3: Or for an end to the unjust detention of Sakharov Prize winner Ilham Toti. For their exercise of fundamental freedoms, the ethnic unity law and its criminal punishment now hangs over their head.

Speaker #3: The European Parliament and the EU must urgently take action to deepen on the deepening Chinese government repression inside, and outside the country. The adoption of this appalling legislation is a rude wake-up call for all in this room, in Brussels and beyond, as to how, quote-unquote, "domestic" and "foreign" issues are linked.

Speaker #3: Pursuing dialogue and cooperation must not come at the expense of accountability for serious and systemic human rights violations. Not only should the EU and all member states call for the law's amendment or repeal, as in the resolution adopted last week, and for China to align its legislation and practice with international law and standards.

Sarah Brooks: Not only should the EU and all member states call for the law's amendment or repeal, as in the resolution adopted last week, and for China to align its legislation and practice with international law and standards. Of course, they should. That's what the Treaty of Lisbon says. They should also make clear that as of 1 July 2026, implementing the Ethnic Unity Law as written will have consequences for broader cooperation. That means reinvigorating conversations that view China simultaneously through security, economic, and human rights lenses in the pursuit of a long delayed but deeply needed update to the EU's strategy on China.

Speaker #3: Of course, they should. That's what the Lisbon Treaty says. But they should also make clear that as of 1 July 2026, implementing the ethnic unity law as written will have consequences for broader cooperation.

Speaker #3: That means reinvigorating conversations that view China simultaneously through security, economic, and human rights lenses in the pursuit of a long-delayed, but deeply needed update to the EU's strategy on China.

Speaker #3: It means ensuring that any EU or bilateral judicial cooperation with Chinese actors, including but not limited to extradition treaties, takes into consideration the role of Chinese courts and the judiciary in criminalizing the exercise of human rights, including the right to culture and to cultural expression.

Sarah Brooks: It means ensuring that any EU or bilateral judicial cooperation with Chinese actors, including but not limited to extradition treaties, takes into consideration the role of Chinese courts and the judiciary in criminalizing the exercise of human rights, including the right to culture and to cultural expression. It means raising cases of detained individuals, not just human rights defenders, but also those detained because of the language they speak, the religion they practice, or the aspirations they hold, and doing so regularly, publicly, and with a running count of the extent to which these concerns fall on deaf ears.

Speaker #3: It means raising cases of detained individuals, not just human rights defenders, but also those detained because of the language they speak, the religion they practice, or the aspirations they hold.

Speaker #3: And doing so regularly, publicly, and with a running count to the extent to which these concerns fall on deaf ears. The EU and its member states must ensure that this message is sent without exception, whether by the working-level at president of the Commission and heads of state.

Sarah Brooks: The EU and its member states must ensure that this message is sent without exception, whether by the working level at EEAS or by commissioners or the president of the commission and heads of state. All EU institutions should use all tools at their disposal to hold Chinese government officials accountable for serious human rights violations. For example, through support for universal jurisdiction cases where the acts may meet the definition of crimes under international law. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Finally, all EU institutions should use all tools at their disposal to hold Chinese government officials accountable for serious human rights violations, for example, through support for universal jurisdiction cases where the acts may meet the definition of crimes under international law.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Merci à vous. La parole est Madame Ghiatso. Pareil pour une intervention de six minutes.

Mounir Satouri: Merci à vous. La parole est madame Tencho Gyatso pour une intervention de 6 minutes.

Speaker #3: Mr. Chair, Honorable Members of the European Parliament, thank you for inviting me to speak today. I would first like to commend this Parliament for adopting last week a strong resolution on China's new law on promoting ethnic unity and progress, sending a clear and timely signal to Beijing about Europe's concern.

Tencho Gyatso: Mr. Chair, honorable members of the European Parliament, thank you for inviting me to speak today. I would first like to commend this Parliament for adopting last week a strong resolution on China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, sending a clear and timely signal to Beijing about Europe's concern. This law, which will enter into force on 1 July, represents a significant turning point and solidifies a more precarious and harsher future for the Tibetan people. It reflects the codifying of assimilation policies under President Xi Jinping. What is new today is the scale, the systemization, and the legal codification of these policies. Several provisions of this law are particularly concerning.

Speaker #3: This law, which will enter into force on July 1, represents a significant turning point and solidifies a more precarious and harsher future for the Tibetan people.

Speaker #3: It reflects the codifying of assimilation policies under President Xi Jinping, what is new today is the scale, the systemization, and the legal codification of these policies.

Speaker #3: Several provisions of this law are particularly concerning. Article 15 says the state shall promote written and spoken Chinese, and even if a non-Chinese language is to be used, the state should give priority to the national standards spoken and written Chinese language inscript.

Tencho Gyatso: Article 15 says the state shall promote written and spoken Chinese, and even if a non-Chinese language is to be used, the state should give priority to the national standard spoken and written Chinese language and script, thus Tibetan is placed in a subordinate position. This has real consequences. Language is not only a medium of communication, it is the foundation of cultural identity. When language is marginalized, the culture it carries is also at risk. Today, over 1 million Tibetan children are enrolled in a system of boarding schools designed to assimilate Tibetan children and indoctrinate them in Chinese Communist Party ideology. This law provides a blueprint for the Chinese government to pursue the erasure of Tibetan language, culture, and identity.

Speaker #3: Thus, Tibetan is placed in a subordinate position. This has real consequences. Language is not only a medium of communication. It is the foundation of cultural identity, when a language is marginalized, the culture it carries is also at risk.

Speaker #3: Today, over one million Tibetan children are enrolled in a system of boarding schools. Designed to assimilate, Tibetan children and indoctrinate them in Chinese Communist Party ideology.

Speaker #3: This law provides a blueprint for the Chinese government to pursue the erasure of Tibetan language, culture, and identity. Another deeply troubling provision is Article 63, which allows Chinese authorities to target individuals and organizations outside China for acts deemed to undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division.

Tencho Gyatso: Another deeply troubling provision is Article 63, which allows Chinese authorities to target individuals and organizations outside China for acts deemed to undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division. These terms create a legal basis for transnational repression, not only against Tibetans, but also against Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, Hong Kongers, and Chinese dissidents, and even human rights defenders living outside China. There are also around 150,000 Tibetans in exile worldwide, including several thousands living within the European Union, including in member states such as Belgium. The freedoms enjoyed by such European citizens of Tibetan ethnicity could now be exposed to risk of arrest, arbitrary detention, or ill-treatment if they travel to China or Tibet. My speaking here before you could certainly be seen as contravening the ethnic unity law, as could the presence of all of you in this room today.

Speaker #3: These terms create a legal basis for transnational repression, not only against Tibetans, but also against Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, Hongkongers, and Chinese dissidents, and even human rights defenders living outside China.

Speaker #3: There are also around 150,000 Tibetans in exile worldwide, including several thousands living within the European Union, including in member states such as Belgium. The freedoms enjoyed by such European citizens of Tibetan ethnicity could now be exposed to risk of arrest, arbitrary detention, or ill treatment if they travel to China or Tibet.

Speaker #3: My speaking here before you could certainly be seen as contravening the ethnic unity law, as could the presence of all of you in this room today.

Speaker #3: This raises serious questions under international law, including concerns about the sovereignty of European states. Reports led by members of this Parliament have already highlighted how authoritarian governments seek to silence critics beyond their borders.

Tencho Gyatso: This raises serious questions under international law, including concerns about the sovereignty of European states. Reports led by members of this parliament have already highlighted how authoritarian governments seek to silence critics beyond their borders. This law must also be seen alongside other policies affecting Tibetans, including large-scale forcible relocation of Tibetan nomadic communities, increasing restrictions on freedom of religion, including in matters related to succession of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, and, in particular, the succession of the Dalai Lama institution, including the current 14th Dalai Lama. Since 2009, more than 150 Tibetans have committed grave acts of self-immolation in a desperate form of protest against restrictions on their fundamental freedoms and calling for the return of the Dalai Lama.

Speaker #3: This law must also be seen alongside other policies affecting Tibetans, including large-scale forcible relocation of Tibetan nomadic communities, increasing restrictions on freedom of religion, including in matters related to succession of Tibetan Buddhist leaders and, in particular, the succession of the Dalai Lama institution, including the current 14th Dalai Lama.

Speaker #3: Since 2009, more than 150 Tibetans have committed grave acts of self-immolation in a desperate form of protest against restrictions on their fundamental freedoms and calling for the return of the Dalai Lama.

Speaker #3: In April of this year, eight independent UN human rights experts clearly exposed and unmasked the CCP's intentions and emphasized the systematic way in which this law violates China's own legal framework and its international obligations.

Tencho Gyatso: In April of this year, eight independent UN human rights experts clearly exposed and unmasked the CCP's intentions and emphasized the systematic way in which this law violates China's own legal framework and its international obligations. Tibet has been the testing ground for this new law. Both in 2010 and in 2020, model regulations were enacted in parts of Tibet that include many provisions found in this new law. This law is not about governance. This law is about reshaping identity and reducing space for pluralism and diversity. The European Union knows well the value of cultural and linguistic diversity and is founded on the principle of unity and diversity, where such diversity is seen not as threat, but as a strength. From this perspective, the trajectory we see in China is deeply concerning.

Speaker #3: Tibet has been the testing ground for this new law. Both in 2010 and in 2020, model regulations were enacted in parts of Tibet that include many provisions found in this new law.

Speaker #3: This law is not about governance. This law is about reshaping identity and reducing space for pluralism and diversity. The European Union knows well the value of cultural and linguistic diversity and is founded on the principle of unity in diversity, where such diversity is seen not as threats but as a strength.

Speaker #3: From this perspective, the trajectory we see in China is deeply concerning. Honorable Members, please allow me to conclude with a few recommendations for your consideration.

Tencho Gyatso: Honorable members, please allow me to conclude with a few recommendations for your consideration. First, we encourage the EU to adopt a clear and unified public statement denouncing this law and its implications for human rights on behalf of all 27 member states. Second, this issue should be placed on the agenda of all upcoming high-level engagements with China, including EU-China human rights dialogue, the high-level strategic dialogue, and the EU-China summit. Third, we recommend appointing an EU special representative for Tibet, critical to effective coordination and coherence of EU policies on Tibet. Fourth, the EU should strengthen its response to transnational repression, building on the European Parliament's recent work and recommendations in this area. Fifth, we call on the EU to urge China to resume Sino-Tibetan dialogue without preconditions. This dialogue remains essential to achieving a peaceful solution based on genuine autonomy for Tibetans.

Speaker #3: First, we encourage the EU to adopt a clear and unified public statement denouncing this law and its implications for human rights on behalf of all 27 member states.

Speaker #3: Second, this issue should be placed on the agenda of all upcoming high-level engagements with China, including EU-China human rights dialogue, the high-level strategic dialogue, and the EU-China summit.

Speaker #3: Third, we recommend appointing an EU special representative for Tibet critical to effective coordination and quorums of EU policies on Tibet. Fourth, the EU should strengthen its response to transnational repression, building on the European Parliament's recent work and recommendations in this area.

Speaker #3: Fifth, we call on the EU to urge China to resume Sino-Tibetan dialogue without pre-conditions. This dialogue remains essential to achieving a peaceful solution based on genuine autonomy for Tibetans.

Speaker #3: As His Holiness the Dalai Lama has now reached the age of 90, it is more important than ever to seize this opportunity for dialogue.

Tencho Gyatso: As His Holiness the Dalai Lama has now reached the age of 90, it is more important than ever to seize this opportunity for dialogue. In conclusion, this law goes beyond a simple domestic policy shift. It reflects a broader direction with profound implications for human rights, cultural diversity, and international norms. It is essential that these concerns are addressed clearly, consistently, and collectively by the European Union and its member states. Thank you for your kind attention.

Speaker #3: In conclusion, this law goes beyond a simple domestic policy shift. It reflects a broader direction with profound implications for human rights, cultural diversity, and international norms.

Speaker #3: It is essential that these concerns are addressed clearly, consistently, and collectively by the European Union and its member states. Thank you for your kind attention.

Speaker #1: Merci à vous. Maintenant, la parole va être donnée à Monsieur Brown, connecté en ligne. Allez-y.

Mounir Satouri: Merci a vous. Maintenant, la parole va être donnée à Monsieur Brown, connecté en ligne. Allez-y.

Speaker #4: Thank you very much. On March the 12th this year, the Chinese National People's Congress, the country's annual parliament, passed the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law.

Kerry Brown: Thank you very much. On 12 March this year, the Chinese National People's Congress, the country's annual parliament, passed the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law. It will come into use on 1 July. According to the official statement from Xinhua, this law was aimed at fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and advancing what it called law-based governance in ethnic affairs. I think it is true, as other speakers have said, that this normalizes what has actually been practiced prior to the law passing. It does not replace the Regional Autonomy Law from 1984, where many of the issues relating to minorities are spelled out. It does not replace that. That law remains in place.

Speaker #4: It will come into use on the 1st of July. According to the official statement from Xinhua, this law was aimed at fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and advancing what it called law-based governance in ethnic affairs.

Speaker #4: I think it is true, as other speakers have said, that this normalizes what has actually been practiced prior to the law passing. It does not replace the regional autonomy law from 1984, where many of the issues relating to minorities are spelled out.

Speaker #4: It doesn't replace that. That law remains in place. The official rationale of the law is therefore that it allows equal opportunity between the 56 officially recognized different ethnic groupings in the country.

Kerry Brown: The official rationale of the law is therefore that it allows equal opportunity between the 56 officially recognized different ethnic groupings in the country. The law occurs against a background in which the central government's management of ethnic diversity issues has been a source of detailed analysis and criticism. This is not a new phenomenon. The State Constitution of 1982 states that the People's Republic of China is a multi-ethnic country, but it is one where overwhelmingly over 90% of the citizens identify themselves as belonging to the Han group. The foundations of the People's Republic of China in 1949 held it at a time of expected greater flexibility and recognition of diversity in the country.

Speaker #4: The law occurs against a background in which the central government's management of ethnic diversity issues has been a source of detailed analysis and criticism.

Speaker #4: This is not a new phenomenon. The state constitution of 1982 states that the People's Republic of China is a multi-ethnic country. But it is one where overwhelmingly over 90% of the citizens identify themselves as belonging to the Han group.

Speaker #4: The foundations of the People's Republic of China in 1949 heralded in a time of expected greater flexibility and recognition of diversity in the country.

Speaker #4: A previous leader, before 1949, Sun Yat-sen, in the 1920s had famously only recognized five valid ethnic groups. But tied these to a strong sense of national identity and the joint mission to create a great strong China.

Kerry Brown: A previous leader, before 1949, Sun Yat-sen, in the 1920s had famously only recognized 5 valid ethnic groups, but tied these to a strong sense of national identity and the joint mission to create a great, strong China. In 1956, influenced partly by the USSR, the new Chinese government listed the 56 identities mentioned above. At the same time, however, it also maintained movements against what it called Han chauvinism. The reality is that for much of the last 7 decades, those not belonging to the Han have often received prejudicial treatment, and in the Cultural Revolution from 1966, for instance, violence and coercion.

Speaker #4: In 1956, influence partly by the USSR, the new Chinese government listed the 56 identities mentioned above. At the same time, however, it also maintained movements against what it called Han chauvinism.

Speaker #4: But the reality is that for much of the last seven decades, those not belonging to the Han have often received prejudicial treatment. And in the cultural revolution from 1966, for instance, violence and coercion.

Speaker #4: In the relatively more liberal 1980s, it is true that the main autonomous regions of which Tibet Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia are the most significant were granted rights from use of recognized languages in some schools and in public signage, to subsidies from the central government to develop the economy, and the rights to have two children other than that mandated under the one mandated from the One China policy in 1980.

Kerry Brown: In the relatively more liberal 1980s, it is true that the main autonomous regions of which Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia are the most significant, were granted rights from use of recognized languages in some schools and in public signage to subsidies from the central government to develop the economy and the rights to have two children other than that mandated, under the one mandated, from the One-child policy in 1980. In the 2000s, however, scholars like Hu Angang and Ma Rong started to contest what they argued was discriminatory behavior and demanded wholly equal treatment across all groups, despite their numerical differences. These ideas were inspired partly by the United States melting pot kind of vision of ethnic cohesion. The law occurs against a background where two issues are important.

Speaker #4: In the 2000s, however, scholars like Hu Angang and Ma Rong stated, started to contest what they argued was discriminatory behavior and demanded wholly equal treatment across all groups, despite their numerical differences.

Speaker #4: These ideas were inspired partly by the United States melting pot kind of vision of ethnic cohesion. The law occurs against a background where two issues are important.

Speaker #4: Firstly, there is the rising sense of China currently being in a period of strong nationalist populist politics under its leader, Xi Jinping. Wang Huning, the chief ideological figure, who sits on the Politburo, has stressed the need for the country to have strong cultural competence.

Kerry Brown: Firstly, there is the rising sense of China currently being in a period of strong nationalist populist politics under its leader, Xi Jinping. Wang Huning, the chief ideological figure who sits on the Politburo, has stressed the need for the country to have strong cultural confidence. The demand for a more unified vision of what China today is, and a clear narrative of its history means that the complexities about the historic role of groups like Mongolians, Tibetans, and Uyghurs have either been ignored or downplayed. Secondly, there is also a larger geopolitical context. China is clearly in a period in which it knows that its relations with the US and others are increasingly difficult. It is therefore seeking to be more autonomous in technology and innovation. Its universities are being streamlined, and responsibilities for contributing to this mission have been intensified.

Speaker #4: The demand for a more unified vision of what China today is and a clear narrative of its history means that the complexities about the historic role of groups like Mongolians, Tibetans, and Uyghurs have either been ignored or downplayed.

Speaker #4: Secondly, there is also a larger geopolitical context. China is clearly in a period in which it knows that its relations with the US and others are increasingly difficult.

Speaker #4: It is therefore seeking to be more autonomous in technology and innovation. Its universities are being streamlined and the responsibilities for contributing to this mission have been intensified.

Speaker #4: The government's views of the crucially importance of this developmental vision underpin its argument that across the country, therefore, there needs to be a common language.

Kerry Brown: The government's views of the crucial importance of this developmental vision underpin its argument that across the country, therefore, there needs to be a common language. This applies as much to the use of Cantonese, although of course that script is the same as Mandarin, as it does to Tibetan or Mongolian, which are wholly different languages. The simple fact is that the government clearly believes even that local dialects in the more remote western regions of the country are potential impediments to bringing these areas into the economic and developmental mainstream of modernity. The law has been criticized by experts. One group from the UN have said that the law is an effort to dilute identity and codify forced assimilation policies. Another has stated that it threatens minority rights. One issue will be the ways in which the law is introduced and implemented.

Speaker #4: This applies as much to the use of Cantonese, although of course that script is the same as Mandarin, as it does to Tibetan or Mongolian, which are wholly different languages.

Speaker #4: The simple fact is that the government clearly believes even that local dialects in the more remote Western regions of the country are potentially impediments to bringing these areas into the economic and developmental mainstream of modernity.

Speaker #4: The law has been criticized by experts, one group from the UN have said that the law is an effort to dilute identity and codify forced assimilation policies.

Speaker #4: Another has stated that it threatens minority rights. One issue will be the ways in which the law is introduced and implemented. The United Front Work Department of the party published the guidelines by which the new law will be used, to the end of April.

Kerry Brown: The United Front Work Department of the party published the guidelines by which the new law will be used at the end of April. It mandated a whole of society response and stressed that the law's main objective was to strengthen national resilience in a period of deeper competition. It is best to see this law, therefore, as part of an overall approach to the Xi administration. How those subject to the law might respond is something that no one currently knows. Though it is true, the preservation of different, more diverse forms of identity expression have been increasingly difficult in China over the last few years. This move certainly makes it clear that the government regards its priorities as being the stressing of unity, even if that comes at the cost of potential discontent and resistance. Thank you very much.

Speaker #4: It mandated a whole of society response and stressed that the law's main objective was to strengthen national resilience in a period of deeper competition.

Speaker #4: It is best to see this law, therefore, as part of an overall approach to the Xi administration but how those subject to the law might respond is something that no one currently knows.

Speaker #4: Though it is true the preservation of different more diverse forms of identity expression have been increasingly difficult in China over the last few years.

Speaker #4: But this move certainly makes it clear that the government regards its priorities as being the stressing of unity even if that comes at the cost of potential discontent and resistance.

Speaker #4: Thank you very much.

Speaker #1: And then we get to c'est à vous. Non, c'est madame. Merci. Madame, puis Perla. C'est à vous pour six minutes.

Nicoletta Pusterla: Merci beaucoup, Monsieur le Président. I will continue my intervention in English. The EU relationship with China is one of the most defining and consequential the EU has. As part of this relationship, we engage with China, we talk to China, but we also put forward our demands and our concerns. This is certainly true for the area of human rights, where we speak directly to China, but we also mention and talk about our concerns publicly. We have closely followed the adoption of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. We have of course in mind the fact that this will enter into force on 1 July and we will continue monitoring its implementation.

Speaker #3: Merci beaucoup, monsieur le président. I will continue my intervention in English. The EU relationship with China is one of the most defining and consequential the EU has.

Speaker #3: And as part of this relationship, we engage with China; we talk to China. But we also put forward our demands and our concerns. This is certainly true for the area of human rights, where we speak directly to China, but we also mention and talk about our concerns publicly.

Speaker #3: We have closely followed the adoption of the law on the promotion of ethnic unity and progress. And we have, of course, in mind the fact that this will enter into force on the 1st of July and will continue monitoring its implementation.

Speaker #3: As previous speakers have observed, the law constitutes a comprehensive framework governing ethnic relations across China. The issue was addressed last week in Strasbourg, where Commissioner Labib provided an intervention on behalf of high representative Vice President Callas.

Nicoletta Pusterla: As previous speakers have observed, the law constitutes a comprehensive framework governing ethnic relations across China. The issue was addressed last week in Strasbourg, where Commissioner Labib provided an intervention on behalf of High Representative Vice President Kallas, and she underlined the EU's serious concerns regarding the implications of the law for persons belonging to ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities in China. As Commissioner Labib recalled, such rights should be upheld in line with international human rights standards and with China's own commitments. I will recall the fact that she emphasized that measures that weaken minority languages use, that reduce the cultural space or interfere with the freedom of religion or belief, risk undermining precisely the diversity which they claim to protect.

Speaker #3: And she underlined the use of serious concerns regarding the implications of the law for persons belonging to ethnic linguistic and religious minorities in China.

Speaker #3: As Commissioner Labib recalled, such rights should be upheld in line with international human rights standards and with China's own commitments. I will recall the fact that she emphasized that measures that weaken minority languages' use that reduce the cultural space or interfere with the freedom of religion or belief risk undermining precisely the diversity which they claim to protect.

Speaker #3: The law must, of course, be assessed in the broader context of China's approach to governance and human rights. And as already noted, although the law does not appear to introduce entirely new policies, it does codify and elevate a number of existing practices.

Nicoletta Pusterla: The law must, of course, be assessed in the broader context of China's approach to governance and human rights. As already noted, although the law does not appear to introduce entirely new policies, it does codify and elevate a number of existing practices into a binding national legal framework. Many of these elements were already present at provincial or at regional level in areas such as Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia or elsewhere. We have repeatedly conveyed our concerns on the situation and will continue to do so. For example, on the human rights situation in Tibet, we regularly voice our concern on restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, on the preservation of cultural identity, on the rights of religious communities to manage their religious affairs without interference and to freely choose their religious leaders.

Speaker #3: Into a binding national legal framework, many of these elements were already present at provincial or at regional level. In areas such as Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, or elsewhere.

Speaker #3: We have repeatedly conveyed our concerns on the situation, and we'll continue to do so. For example, on the human rights situation in Tibet, we regularly voice our concerns on restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, on the preservation of cultural identity, on the rights of religious communities to manage their religious affairs without interference, and to freely choose their religious leaders.

Speaker #3: And we do not only we don't only do this in relation to Tibet or Tibetan areas, but also in relation to Xinjiang and other regions and more broadly on freedom of religion or belief.

Nicoletta Pusterla: We don't only do this in relation to Tibet or Tibetan areas, but also in relation to Xinjiang and other regions, and more broadly, on freedom of religion or belief. Let me recall that the Constitution of the People's Republic of China itself provides for equality among ethnic groups and for protection of minority languages and culture. China has also made commitments within the United Nations framework. The EU will therefore continue to call on China to respect both its international and constitutional commitment. We will, as mentioned at the beginning of my intervention, continue to follow closely how this law is implemented in practice, having into mind the date of 1 July for the starting of the implementation of this law.

Speaker #3: Let me recall that the constitution of the People's Republic of China, itself, provides for equality among ethnic groups and for protection of minority languages and culture.

Speaker #3: And China has also made commitments within the United Nations framework. The EU will therefore continue to call on China to respect both its international and constitutional commitment.

Speaker #3: And we will, as mentioned at the beginning of my intervention, continue to follow closely how this law is implemented in practice. Having in mind the date of 1st of July of this law.

Speaker #3: We have, of course, a concern that has been already mentioned, the one that relates to the extraterritorial applications of this law. We continue to oppose extraterritorial application of third country legislation in breach of international law and call on all third countries to refrain from attempts to conduct transnational repression, attentive to any possible impact on diaspora communities or on individual or entities located outside China including within the European Union.

Nicoletta Pusterla: We have, of course, a concern that has been already mentioned, the one that relates to the extraterritorial implications of this law. We continue to oppose extraterritorial application of third country legislation in breach of international law and call on all third countries to refrain from attempts to conduct transnational repression, whether in the EU or elsewhere. We will remain attentive to any possible impact on diaspora communities or on individual or entities located outside China, including within the European Union. We remain, the European External Action Service remains committed to the protection of human rights, including cultural, linguistic, and religious rights, and to the principles of non-discrimination, respect for diversities as reflected in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Speaker #3: We remain the European External Action Service remains committed to the protection of human rights including cultural, linguistic, and religious rights, and to the principles of non-discrimination, respect for diversities, as reflected in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Speaker #3: Like relevant UN human rights treaty bodies, the EU will continue to monitor developments and raise concerns where necessary, both bilaterally with China and in relevant international fora.

Nicoletta Pusterla: Like relevant UN human rights treaty bodies, the EU will continue to monitor developments and raise concerns where necessary, both bilaterally with China and in relevant international fora. We will continue to urge China to cooperate effectively with the UN human rights mechanisms, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, relevant treaty bodies, and special procedures. The EEAS will continue to engage with China in a principled and consistent manner, recalling that respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, remains an essential element of our relationship. Many thanks.

Speaker #3: We will continue to urge China to cooperate effectively with the UN human rights mechanisms, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights relevant treaty bodies and special procedures.

Speaker #3: And the EAS will continue to engage with China in a principled and consistent manner, recalling that respect for human rights including the rights of persons belonging to minorities remains an essential element of our relationship.

Speaker #3: Many thanks.

Speaker #1: Très bien. On va passer au débat avec les membres. Et je crois que c'est Raza qui commence. Au nom du PPE, allez-y, chers collègues, deux minutes.

Mounir Satouri: Très bien. On va passer au débat avec les membres et je crois que c'est Rasa qui commence au nom du PPE. Allez-y, chère collègue, 2 minutes.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much. I had some questions actually, my question about how much more we hear at the European Parliament can help was answered by Tensho Gyatso, but nevertheless, if you have some more ideas it will be very helpful.

Rasa Juknevičienė: Thank you very much. I had some question. My question about how much more we here at the European Parliament can help was answered by Tencho Gyatso. Nevertheless, if you have some more ideas, it will be very helpful. Here are some thoughts from my side. When I read about China's new Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, I did not see a distant policy matter. I saw my own country's history. Under Soviet occupation, Lithuanian children were taught that Russian was the language of progress and that our mother tongue was provincial, unnecessary. Today, we hear translation in Lithuanian as well as a proud European Union language. When my mother was exiled to Siberia as a child, Lithuanian was called the language of the fascists. As a Lithuanian, I understand what this law means.

Speaker #2: So here are some thoughts from my side. When I read about China's new ethnic unity and progress law, I did not see a distant policy matter.

Speaker #2: I saw my own country's history. Under Soviet occupation, Lithuanian children were taught that Russian was the language of progress and that our mother tongue was provincial unnecessary.

Speaker #2: Today we hear translation in Lithuanian as well. As proud European Union language. When my mother was exiled to Siberia as a child, Lithuanian was called the language of the fascists.

Speaker #2: As a Lithuanian, I understand what this law means, we lived under a system that treated our language as an obstacle to progress and our identity as a threat to unity.

Rasa Juknevičienė: We lived under a system that treated our language as an obstacle to progress and our identity as a threat to unity. The objective was not integration. It was repression. The same thing is now happening in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. This is precisely what Beijing is doing now with this law. Mandarin replaces Tibetan in schools. The law speaks of unity. We know this vocabulary. We lived under this vocabulary. We should be clear-eyed. This law provides the Chinese Communist Party with legal tools to dismantle the cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of Tibetans, Uyghurs, and many other people. On importance of our activities, there are those who say that our speeches and resolutions mean nothing here. The first European Parliament resolution on the Baltic States was adopted in 1983. I just graduated my medical studies in Soviet Union at that time.

Speaker #2: The objective was not integration. It was repression. The same thing is now happening in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. This is precisely what Beijing is doing now with this law.

Speaker #2: Mandarin replaces Tibetan in schools. The law speaks of unity, but we know this vocabulary. We lived under this vocabulary. We should be clear-eyed. This law provides the Chinese Communist Party with legal tools to dismantle the cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of Tibetans, Uyghurs, and many other people.

Speaker #2: On the importance of our activities. There are those who say that our speeches and resolutions mean nothing here. The first European Parliament resolution on the Baltic states was adopted in 1983.

Speaker #2: I just graduated my medical studies in Soviet Union at that time. I didn't know about that. Nobody knew about that in my country. Today we have a memorial plaque dedicated to this resolution and it was unveiled in the Baltic Way space at the European Parliament.

Rasa Juknevičienė: I didn't know about that. Nobody knew about that in my country. Today, we have a memorial plaque dedicated to this resolution, and it was unveiled in the Baltic Way space at the European Parliament. Look at it when you go through last moment. Of course, this plaque is a reminder of the importance of our work here, work that can sometimes seem meaningless at the time, but whose significance becomes clear later, as happened with the resolution on the Baltic States. Empires will lose, our job, our work here will be important. Thank you very much, all those speakers. You are doing what you can today despite the situation is not happening better. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Look at it when you go through. Last moment. Of course, this plaque is a reminder of the importance of our work here. Work that can sometimes seem meaningless at the time but holds significance became clear later.

Speaker #2: As happened with the resolution on the Baltic states. Empires will lose and our job, our work here will be important. And thank you very much all those speakers, you are doing what you can today despite the situation is not happening better.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Merci Francisco Assis pour le groupe SNI.

Mounir Satouri: Merci. Francisco Assis pour le groupe S&D.

Speaker #3: Merci beaucoup Monsieur le Président. Je parlerai en portugais. O desenvolvimento tecnológico da China tem-nos feito perder de vista nalguns casos aqui na Europa a verdadeira natureza do regime político chinês.

Francisco Assis: Merci beaucoup, Monsieur le Président. Je parlerai en portugais. O desenvolvimento tecnológico da China tem-nos feito perder de vista, nalguns casos aqui na Europa, a verdadeira natureza do regime político chinês. A China ensaiou uma abertura no âmbito económico e um processo de modernização económica, mas a verdade é que do ponto de vista político, a China continua a ser um regime fortemente autocrático. Há que lembrar que este regime, liderado por este mesmo partido, o Partido Comunista Chinês, foi o responsável por algumas das maiores atrocidades cometidas no século XX. O Grande Salto em Frente, a Revolução Cultural saldaram-se por milhões e milhões de mortos. Foi um dos regimes mais tenebrosos que a história humana conheceu. E esse regime, do ponto de vista político, no essencial, não mudou. Basta ver o que se passou em Tiananmen em 1989.

Speaker #3: A China ensaiou uma abertura no âmbito económico, processo de modernização económica, mas a verdade é que do ponto de vista político a China continua a ser regime fortemente autocrático.

Speaker #3: Há que lembrar que este regime liderado por este mesmo partido, o Partido Comunista Chinês, foi responsável por algumas das maiores atrocidades cometidas no século XX.

Speaker #3: O grande salto em frente, a revolução cultural, saldaram-se por milhões e milhões de mortes. dos regimes mais tenebrosos que a história humana conheceu. E esse regime do ponto de vista político no essencial não mudou.

Speaker #3: Basta ver o que se passou em Tiananmen em 89, basta ver a forma como em Yongkong os estudantes são reprimidos e basta ver a forma como os tibetanos são ou os uigures são sistematicamente reprimidos.

Francisco Assis: Basta ver a forma como em Hong Kong os estudantes são reprimidos e basta ver a forma como os tibetanos são sistematicamente ou os uigures são sistematicamente reprimidos. Esta lei, por isso, é uma lei que vem na sequência daquilo que tem sido o comportamento político das autoridades chinesas. É uma espécie de tentativa de engenharia identitária.

Speaker #3: Esta lei, por isso, é uma lei que vem na sequência daquilo que tem sido o comportamento político das autoridades chinesas. É uma espécie de tentativa de engenharia identitária a redução completa das identidades locais e regionais por via da anulação da especificidade linguística.

Francisco Assis: A redução completa das identidades locais e regionais por via da anulação da especificidade linguística. Isto é um velho caminho que os totalitarismos sempre prosseguiram, que é a anulação completa das singularidades culturais ou doutra religiosas ou doutra ordem, justamente para a anulação, no limite, para a anulação do próprio indivíduo, porque o indivíduo só existe se tiver todas estas suas referências. Não é um átomo isolado, está integrado nestas referências e é isso que se visa pôr em causa. Por isso nós temos, enquanto europeus, que olhar para isto com preocupação e com atenção, e não podemos ceder em nenhum momento a um discurso que por vezes vai fazendo o seu caminho. No momento em que hoje estamos também aqui a atravessar no contexto europeu e ocidental algumas dificuldades, nomeadamente no âmbito da nossa relação transatlântica.

Speaker #3: Isto é velho caminho que os totalitarismos sempre prosseguiram que é a anulação completa das singularidades culturais ou religiosas ou de outra ordem justamente para a anulação no limite para a anulação do próprio indivíduo porque o indivíduo só existe se tiver todas estas suas referências.

Speaker #3: Não há átomo isolado. Está integrado nestas referências. E é isso que se visa pôr em causa. Por isso, nós temos enquanto europeus que olhar para isto com preocupação e com atenção e não podemos ceder em nenhum momento a discurso que por vezes vai fazendo o seu caminho e no momento em que hoje estamos também aqui a atravessar no contexto europeu e ocidental algumas dificuldades nomeadamente no âmbito da nossa relação transatlântica.

Speaker #3: Há algum anti-americanismo excessivo e primário que por aí vai aparecendo. Muitas vezes leva a que se desvalorize esta dimensão da China. A China é regime altamente repressivo com quem naturalmente temos que manter contactos porque mantemos contactos com variadíssimas ditaduras no mundo.

Bernard Guetta: Algum antiamericanismo excessivo e primário que por aí vai aparecendo muitas vezes leva a que se desvalorize esta dimensão da China. A China é um regime altamente repressivo com quem naturalmente temos que manter contactos porque mantemos contactos com variadíssimas ditaduras no mundo, ficaríamos totalmente isolados se não fizéssemos, mas não devemos perder de vista que temos obrigação para todos quantos lutam pelos direitos humanos na China, porque a China continua a ser, infelizmente, uma das ditaduras mais perversas existentes à face do nosso planeta. Muito obrigado.

Speaker #3: Ficaríamos totalmente isolados se não o fizéssemos. Mas não devemos perder de vista que temos obrigação para todos quantos lutam pelos direitos humanos na China porque a China continua a ser infelizmente uma das ditaduras mais perversas existentes à face do nosso planeta.

Speaker #3: Muito obrigado.

Speaker #1: Merci la parole est à Monsieur Molarzik parce que j'ai noté que au PFE il n'y avait personne. Il n'y a personne du non. Le coordinateur en tout cas n'est pas là.

Mounir Satouri: Merci. La parole est à Monsieur Mularczyk, parce que j'ai noté que au PFE, il y avait personne. Il y a personne? Non. Le coordinateur, en tout cas, n'est pas là. Monsieur Mularczyk, allez-y.

Speaker #1: Monsieur Molarzik, allez-y.

Speaker #3: Thank you. I will speak Polish. Jako że przewodniczący delegacji Chin jest Niemcem i nawiązał do historii Europy II wojny światowej wspomniał że nie wolno powtarzać błędów przeszłości.

Arkadiusz Mularczyk: Thank you. I will speak Polish. Jako że przewodniczący delegacji Chin jest Niemcem i nawiązał do historii Europy, 2 wojny światowej, wspomniał, że nie wolno powtarzać błędów przeszłości. Istotne jest też, żeby te błędy z przeszłości naprawiać. Chcę na marginesie tej dyskusji powiedzieć o Związku Polaków w Niemczech, który został zlikwidowany w 1939 roku dekretem Hermanna Göringa. Działaczy polskich zamordowano, majątek zrabowano i do dzisiaj rząd Niemiec nie chce odtworzyć tego Związku Polaków w Niemczech, co dla mnie jest wielkim po prostu skandalem i podwójnymi standardami w Unii Europejskiej, gdzie promujemy prawa mniejszości i prawa człowieka, natomiast w samej Unii zamykamy oczy na pewne sprawy.

Speaker #3: Istotne jest też żeby te błędy z przeszłości naprawiać. Chcę na marginesie tej dyskusji powiedzieć o Związku Polaków w Niemczech który został zlikwidowany w 39 roku dekretem Hermana Göringa.

Speaker #3: Działaczy polskich zamordowano. Majątek zrabowano. I do dzisiaj rząd niemiecki nie chce odtworzyć tego Związku Polaków w Niemczech co dla mnie jest wielkim po prostu skandalem i podwójnymi standardami w Unii Europejskiej gdzie promujemy prawa mniejszości i prawa człowieka natomiast w samej Unii zamykamy oczy na pewne sprawy także apeluję tutaj do pana do pana Engina Roglu żeby również zajął się kwestiami zlikwidowanego Związku Polaków w Niemczech i żeby również ten związek mógł działać a majątek mógł wrócić do do tych działaczy.

Arkadiusz Mularczyk: Także apeluję tutaj do pana, do pana Engina Eroglu, żeby również zajął się kwestiami zlikwidowanego Związku Polaków w Niemczech i żeby również ten związek mógł działać, a majątek mógł wrócić do tych działaczy, a oni mogli być zrehabilitowani, bo do dzisiaj ta sprawa jest niezałatwiona. Przechodząc do tematu głównego, chcę zwrócić uwagę, że oczywiście ta ustawa przyjęta w Chinach o promowaniu jedności etnicznej i postępu, mająca wejść w życie 1 July, narzuca język mandaryński jako język podstawowy nauczania i życia publicznego, co de facto uderza w 55 uznanych mniejszości etnicznych w Chinach. To jest warto pamiętać, że te mniejszości to nie margines, a stanowią one niemal 9% ludności Chin, co przy ponad 1 miliardzie ludności Chin, to dotyczy setek milionów obywateli Chin. A same regiony zamieszkane przez mniejszości obejmują ponad połowę terytorium. To oznacza zatem, że mówimy o setkach milionów ludzi, których język, kultura, tożsamość są systemowo wypierane.

Speaker #3: A oni mogli być zrehabilitowani bo do dzisiaj ta sprawa jest niezałatwiona. Przechodząc do tematu głównego chcę zwrócić uwagę że oczywiście ta ustawa przyjęta w Chinach o promowaniu jedności etnicznej i postępu mająca wejść w życie 1 lipca narzuca język mandaryński jako język podstawowy nauczania i życia publicznego co de facto uderza w 55 uznanych mniejszości etnicznych w Chinach.

Speaker #3: To jest warto pamiętać że te mniejszości to nie margines a stanowią one niemal 9% ludności Chin co przy ponad miliardzie ludności Chin to dotyczy setek milionów obywateli Chin.

Speaker #3: A same regiony zamieszkane przez mniejszości obejmują ponad połowę terytorium. To oznacza zatem że mówimy o setkach milionów ludzi których język kultura tożsamość są systemowo wypierane.

Speaker #3: ONZ ostrzega że nowe przepisy mogą karać rodziców nawet za wychowanie dzieci w języku i kulturze własnej wspólnoty. Pamiętajmy zatem co legło u podstaw Unii Europejskiej że nie wolno normalizować polityki która pod hasłem jedności niszczy różnorodność i podstawowe wolności choć niewątpliwie widzimy w samej Unii selektywne podejście do kwestii mniejszości i praw człowieka.

Arkadiusz Mularczyk: ONZ ostrzega, że nowe przepisy mogą karać rodziców nawet za wychowanie dzieci w języku i kulturze własnej wspólnoty. Pamiętajmy zatem, co legło u podstaw European Union, że nie wolno normalizować polityki, która pod hasłem jedności niszczy różnorodność i podstawowe wolności. Choć niewątpliwie widzimy w samej European Union selektywne podejście do kwestii mniejszości i praw człowieka. Dziękuję bardzo.

Speaker #3: Dziękuję bardzo.

Speaker #1: Monsieur Guetta, pour le groupe Réunion.

Mounir Satouri: Monsieur Guetta, pour le groupe Renew.

Speaker #3: Lorsqu'une dictature durcit encore ses lois et sa pratique politique il faut toujours se demander pourquoi elle le fait. Généralement ce n'est pas parce qu'elle se sent forte c'est parce qu'elle se sent faible.

Bernard Guetta: Lorsqu'une dictature durcit encore ses lois et sa pratique politique, il faut toujours se demander pourquoi elle le fait. Généralement, ce n'est pas parce qu'elle se sent forte, c'est parce qu'elle se sent faible ou en tout cas dans un processus d'affaiblissement. La dictature chinoise affronte et va de plus en plus affronter des difficultés majeures. La première, de loin la plus importante, est le vieillissement de sa population et le fait qu'elle va manquer de bras et de jeunesse pour payer les retraites ou tout simplement la subsistance des parents et grands-parents. Le deuxième problème, tout aussi grave, peut-être même dans l'immédiat encore plus grave, est le chômage des jeunes diplômés qui ne cesse de s'amplifier et dont on ne voit pas, pour l'instant en tout cas, un jour sans doute, mais pour l'instant en tout cas, dont on ne voit pas comment les autorités pourraient le résorber.

Speaker #3: Ou en tout cas dans un processus d'affaiblissement. La dictature chinoise affronte et va de plus en plus affronter des difficultés majeures. La première de loin la plus importante est le vieillissement de sa population et le fait qu'elle va manquer de bras et de jeunesse pour payer les retraites ou tout simplement la subsistance des parents et grands-parents.

Speaker #3: Le deuxième problème tout aussi grave peut-être même dans l'immédiat encore plus grave est le chômage des jeunes diplômés qui ne cessent de s'amplifier et dont on ne voit pas pour l'instant en tout cas un jour sans doute mais pour l'instant en tout cas dont on ne voit pas comment les autorités pourraient le résorber.

Speaker #3: Il y a un mécontentement dans la jeunesse urbaine diplômée qui est croissant qui ne s'exprime pas parce que la répression et la prévention surtout en Chine sont d'une brutalité et d'une force absolument impressionnante.

Bernard Guetta: Il y a un mécontentement dans la jeunesse urbaine diplômée qui est croissant, qui ne s'exprime pas parce que la répression et la prévention, surtout en Chine, sont d'une brutalité et d'une force absolument impressionnantes. Si les autorités chinoises additionnent les mécontentements et les provocations, il y a un moment où elles se heurteront à de vraies difficultés sociopolitiques. On ne peut pas jouer à braver le mécontentement de tant de peuples différents à l'intérieur de la Chine, alors même que la situation économique, sociale et démographique devient préoccupante pour ce pouvoir. Nous devons aujourd'hui, naturellement, nous indigner, protester, organiser une pression et une protestation, mais en ne perdant pas de vue le fait qu'il y a là beaucoup plus un signe d'inquiétude que de force de la part des autorités chinoises. Je vous remercie.

Speaker #3: Mais si les autorités chinoises additionnent les mécontentements et les provocations il y a un moment où elles se heurteront à de vraies difficultés socio-politiques.

Speaker #3: On ne peut pas jouer à braver le mécontentement de tant de peuples différents à l'intérieur de la Chine alors même que la situation économique sociale et démographique devient préoccupante pour ce pouvoir.

Speaker #3: Nous devons aujourd'hui naturellement nous indigner protester organiser une pression et une protestation mais en ne perdant pas de vue le fait qu'il y a là beaucoup plus un signe d'inquiétude que de force de la part des autorités chinoises.

Speaker #3: Je vous remercie.

Speaker #1: Merci Bernard. Pour finir le tour des coordinateurs la parole est à Monsieur Fröhlich pour le groupe ESN.

Mounir Satouri: Merci Bernard. Pour finir le tour des coordinateurs, la parole à monsieur Fröhlich pour le groupe ESN.

Speaker #4: Ja vielen Dank. Für die bisherigen Ausführungen das ist in der Tat eine sehr spannende Debatte. Ich bin ja grundsätzlich sehr skeptisch wenn es darum geht sich in die Angelegenheiten anderer Staaten einzumischen.

Fröhlich: Ja, vielen Dank für die bisherigen Ausführungen. Das ist in der Tat eine sehr spannende Debatte. Ich bin ja grundsätzlich sehr skeptisch, wenn es darum geht, sich in die Angelegenheiten anderer Staaten einzumischen. Gleichzeitig bin ich aber auch keiner von denen, die sich chinesische Verhältnisse in Europa wünschen. Der Schutz nationaler Minderheiten ist für mich auch ein sehr wichtiges Anliegen. Dennoch stellt sich, und das sehe ich tatsächlich ähnlich wie der Kollege Mularczyk, in dieser Debatte die Frage nach unserer eigenen Glaubwürdigkeit, denn faktisch fand und findet ja bis zum heutigen Tage auch in einigen Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union eine Politik der sprachlichen und kulturellen Assimilation statt. Ich denke hier beispielsweise, da wird mir vielleicht der Kollege aus Frankreich, der Kollege Guetta, widersprechen, aber ich denke teilweise, tatsächlich auch an Frankreich.

Speaker #4: Gleichzeitig bin ich aber auch keiner von denen die sich chinesische Verhältnisse in Europa wünschen und der Schutz nationaler Minderheiten ist für mich auch ein sehr wichtiges Anliegen.

Speaker #4: Dennoch stellt sich und das sehe ich tatsächlich ähnlich wie der Kollege Mulatschik in dieser Debatte die Frage nach unserer eigenen Glaubwürdigkeit. Denn faktisch fand und findet ja bis zum heutigen Tage auch in einigen Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union eine Politik der sprachlichen und kulturellen Assimilation statt.

Speaker #4: Ich denke hier beispielsweise da wird mir vielleicht der Kollege aus Frankreich der Kollege Guetta widersprechen aber ich denke hier teilweise tatsächlich auch an Frankreich.

Speaker #4: Frankreich hat im Sinne der nationalen Einheit selbst auf kulturelle und sprachliche Assimilation verschiedener Minderheiten gesetzt. Bis heute hat Frankreich beispielsweise die Charta des Europarats zu den Regional- oder Minderheitensprachen nicht ratifiziert.

Fröhlich: Frankreich hat im Sinne der nationalen Einheit selbst auf kulturelle und sprachliche Assimilation verschiedener Minderheiten gesetzt. Bis heute hat Frankreich beispielsweise die Charta des Europarats zu den Regional- oder Minderheitensprachen nicht ratifiziert. Weil wir hier im EU-Parlament sind und Straßburg ja der Sitz des EU-Parlaments ist, Straßburg, die Hauptstadt des Elsass. Im Elsass sprachen noch vor 3 Generationen rund 90% der Bevölkerung Elsässisch. Heute ist Elsässisch eine aussterbende Sprache und auch das ist eine Folge der französischen Sprach- und Assimilationspolitik, die ich hier im Detail gar nicht bewerten möchte. Meine Fragen wären erstens: Sehen die Diskutanten, die Gäste eben vor dem genannten Hintergrund die Gefahr fehlender Glaubwürdigkeit auf Seiten der Europäischen Union? Ehrlich gesagt, wenn ich ein Vertreter der Kommunistischen Partei Chinas wäre, würde ich genau darauf aufmerksam machen.

Speaker #4: Und weil wir hier im EU-Parlament sind und Straßburg ja der Sitz des EU-Parlaments ist Straßburg die Hauptstadt des Elsass. Im Elsass sprachen noch vor drei Generationen rund 90% der Bevölkerung elsässisch.

Speaker #4: Heute ist elsässisch eine aussterbende Sprache und auch das ist eine Folge der französischen Sprach- und Assimilationspolitik die ich hier im Detail gar nicht bewerten möchte.

Speaker #4: Deswegen wären meine Fragen erstens sehen die Diskutanten die Gäste im vor dem genannten Hintergrund die Gefahr fehlender Glaubwürdigkeit auf Seiten der Europäischen Union? Denn ehrlich gesagt wenn ich ein Vertreter der kommunistischen Partei Chinas wäre würde ich genau darauf aufmerksam machen zweitens ginge mit einer solchen sprachlichen Assimilation die wir hier diskutieren theoretisch nicht auch Vorteile einher nämlich etwa besserer Zugang zu Bildung und zum Arbeitsmarkt und damit eben auch eine Bekämpfung der Armut in Regionen wie Xinjiang oder der inneren Mongolei.

Fröhlich: Zweitens: gingen mit einer solchen sprachlichen Assimilation, die wir hier diskutieren, theoretisch nicht auch Vorteile einher, nämlich etwa besserer Zugang zur Bildung und zum Arbeitsmarkt und damit eben auch eine Bekämpfung der Armut in Regionen wie Xinjiang oder der Inneren Mongolei. Das ist ja möglicherweise genau das, was der Guetta angesprochen hat. Vielleicht dient ja diese sprachliche Assimilation ja dazu, eben da für Ruhe zu sorgen, indem die ökonomische Lage besser wird. Drittens: Die chinesische Verfassung sieht ja explizit den Schutz von Minderheitensprachen vor und das wird ja hier offenkundig zur Makulatur mit diesem Gesetz. Wie sehen Sie das? Vielen Dank.

Speaker #4: Also das ist ja möglicherweise genau das was Herr Guetta angesprochen hat. Vielleicht dient ja diese sprachliche Assimilation ja dazu eben dafür Ruhe zu sorgen indem die ökonomische Lage besser wird.

Speaker #4: Und dann drittens die chinesische Verfassung sieht ja explizit den Schutz von Minderheitensprachen vor. Und das wird ja hier offenkundig zur Makulatur mit diesem Gesetz.

Speaker #4: Ja wie sehen Sie das? Vielen Dank.

Speaker #1: Très bien le tour des coordinateurs est terminé. Est-ce qu'il y a des collègues qui souhaitent prendre la parole en dehors des coordinateurs? Ça serait une minute.

Mounir Satouri: Très bien. Le tour des coordinateurs est terminé. Est-ce qu'il y a des collègues qui souhaitent prendre la parole en dehors des coordinateurs? Ça serait 1 minute. Monsieur Kamiński, 1 minute.

Speaker #1: Monsieur Kaminski une minute.

Speaker #3: I will speak Polish. Ustawa którą przyjęły władze chińskie odnośnie etnicznych budzi nas głęboki głęboki niepokój. Nie zgodzę się jednak z postawioną tutaj tezą że jest ona dowodem słabości władz chińskich.

Kamiński: I will speak Polish. Ustawa, którą przyjęły władze chińskie o jedności etnicznej, budzi nas głęboki niepokój. Nie zgodzę się jednak z postawioną tutaj tezą, że jest ona dowodem słabości władz chińskich. Moim zdaniem ta ustawa świadczy o autorytarnym charakterze państwa chińskiego i słabości Zachodu, szeroko rozumianego. To poprzez milczenie, poprzez brak stanowczych reakcji przyzwalamy na to, aby przyjmowały władze chińskie ustawę, która stanowi realne zagrożenie, wprowadza instrumenty stanowiące realne zagrożenie dla podstawowych praw człowieka milionów obywateli państwa chińskiego. Pani Brooks wspomniała w swojej wypowiedzi, że istnieją możliwości szukania pociągnięcia do odpowiedzialności karnej na gruncie prawa międzynarodowego władz chińskich. Prosiłbym o rozwinięcie tej wypowiedzi. W jakim scenariuszu można szukać odpowiedzialności karnej władz chińskich za łamanie drastyczne praw człowieka? Zgadzam się z tymi rekomendacjami przedstawionymi przez przedstawicielkę diaspory tybetańskiej, że ta sprawa nie może zejść z agendy dwustronnych relacji z państwem chińskim.

Speaker #3: Moim zdaniem ta ustawa świadczy o autorytarnym charakterze państwa chińskiego i słabości Zachodu szeroko rozumianego. To poprzez milczenie poprzez brak stanowczych reakcji przyzwalamy na to aby przyjmowały władze chińskie ustawę która stanowi realne zagrożenie wprowadza instrumenty stanowiące realne zagrożenie dla podstawowych praw człowieka milionów obywateli państwa chińskiego.

Speaker #3: Pani Brooks wspomniała w swojej wypowiedzi że istnieją możliwości szukania pociągnięcia do odpowiedzialności karnej na gruncie prawa międzynarodowego władz chińskich. Prosiłbym o rozwinięcie tej wypowiedzi w jakim scenariuszu można szukać odpowiedzialności karnej władz chińskich za łamanie drastyczne praw człowieka.

Speaker #3: I zgadzam się z tymi rekomendacjami przedstawionymi przez przedstawicielkę diaspory tybetańskiej że ta sprawa nie może zejść z agendy dwustronnych relacji z państwem chińskim. Natomiast obawiam się że poza rezolucją którą przyjęliśmy obawiam się jednak oportunizmu państw Zachodu i instytucji międzynarodowych które ustępują przed siłą.

Kamiński: Natomiast obawiam się, że poza rezolucją, którą przyjęliśmy, obawiam się jednak oportunizmu państw Zachodu i instytucji międzynarodowych, które ustępują przed siłą. To właśnie słabość i bierność tworzy siłę autorytarnego reżimu chińskiego.

Speaker #3: To właśnie słabość i bierność tworzy siłę autorytarnego reżimu chińskiego.

Speaker #1: Et c'est en faisant en sorte de respecter les temps de parole alloués s'il vous plaît Monsieur Arna Touglou vous voulez dire un mot ou pas?

Mounir Satouri: Essayons de faire en sorte de respecter les temps de parole alloués, s'il vous plaît. Monsieur Arnautuoglu, vous voulez dire un mot ou pas? Non. OK. Eh ben, le tour des questions est passé. Je vais donc redonner la parole dans l'ordre des premières interventions au panel pour répondre. Une question qui est revenue à plusieurs reprises, c'est, après le vote au Parlement, est-ce qu'il y a un projet d'une déclaration commune des 27 États membres? Est-ce que c'est sur la table? Est-ce que vous y travaillez? Est-ce qu'on peut espérer dans les prochaines semaines l'avoir? Je crois que c'est un sujet qui a été évoqué par, directement, indirectement, par plusieurs de mes collègues. Je vous laisse répondre. 3 minutes chacune et chacun.

Speaker #1: Non. Okay. bien le tour des questions est passé. Je vais donc redonner la parole dans l'ordre des premières interventions au panel pour répondre. Une question qui est revenue à plusieurs reprises c'est après le vote au Parlement est-ce qu'il y a un projet d'une déclaration commune des 27 États membres?

Speaker #1: Est-ce que c'est sur la table? Est-ce que vous y travaillez? Est-ce qu'on peut espérer dans les prochaines semaines l'avoir? Je crois que c'est un sujet qui a été évoqué par directement indirectement par plusieurs de mes collègues.

Speaker #1: Je vous laisse répondre. Trois minutes chacune et chacun.

Speaker #2: Thank you all for your questions for your attention this morning. Thank you Monsieur le Président. I leave that question to the colleague on my left.

Sarah Brooks: Thank you all for your questions, for your attention this morning. Thank you, monsieur le Président. I leave that question to the colleague on my left, but I can assure you that Amnesty International and its partners in civil society and among the diaspora continue to call at every occasion for strong, unequivocal public statements by the EU, all 27 member states that go not only to audiences in, for example, the Human Rights Council through the regular item 4 statements, but that take advantage of every high-level opportunity to ensure that human rights are mainstreamed into the EU's foreign policy and its bilateral relationship with China. To come to a few of the questions I picked up at maybe the first. Are there other ideas for the European Parliament? To our final speaker, the question around the application of universal jurisdiction.

Speaker #2: But I can assure you that Amnesty International and its partners in civil society and among the diaspora continue to call at every occasion for strong unequivocal public statements by the EU.

Speaker #2: All 27 member states that go not only to audiences in for example the human rights council through the regular item four statements but that take advantage of every high-level opportunity to ensure that human rights are mainstreamed into the EU's foreign policy and its bilateral relationship with China.

Speaker #2: To come to a few of the questions I picked up maybe the first are there other ideas for the European Parliament and to our final speaker the question around the application of universal jurisdiction?

Speaker #2: I think there are a number of tools that both the institutions and member states can avail themselves of. Most frequently we have seen this be the bully pulpit but I think that there is growing awareness that that voice of moral outrage if not moral authority is increasingly less effective.

Sarah Brooks: I think there are a number of tools that both the institutions and member states can avail themselves of. Most frequently, we have seen this be the bully pulpit. I think that there is growing awareness that that voice of moral outrage, if not moral authority, is increasingly less effective. In the EU's discussions with China around trade, around commercial relationships, and around investment, human rights must also be centered too, because we know, especially when we look at the situation in the Uyghur region, that human rights are intricately linked to trade and commercial issues. In terms of, I'm sorry, I'm just looking through my notes, questions around does this show China's weakness or China's strength? I think every authoritarian is brittle. It's fragile. It relies on a web of narratives, of repression, of silencing, and often posturing to stick around.

Speaker #2: In the EU's discussions with China around trade around commercial relationships around investment human rights must also be centered too because we know especially when we look at the situation in the Uyghur region that human rights are intricately linked to trade to trade and commercial issues.

Speaker #2: In terms of I'm sorry I'm just looking through my notes. Questions around does this show China's weakness or China's strength? I think every authoritarian is brittle.

Speaker #2: It's fragile. It relies on a web of narratives of repression of silencing and often posturing to to stick around. And I think what we have seen in terms of the example of rights cons or the cancellation of the global conference in Zambia as a result in no small part if not exclusively due to pressure from the Chinese authorities the response to that must be unequivocal that this is unacceptable that the shutting down of spaces for global debate cannot be done simply because of the whim of a single government.

Sarah Brooks: I think what we have seen in terms of the example of RightsCon, so the cancellation of the global conference in Zambia as a result, in no small part, if not exclusively due to pressure from the Chinese authorities, the response to that must be unequivocal, that this is unacceptable, that the shutting down of spaces for global debate cannot be done simply because of the whim of a single government. Finally, I just wanted to speak to the broader context. Since January 2025, China's views on issues like global governance, climate change, or armed conflict may appear to be more aligned with Europe, but that shouldn't be mistaken for improved goodwill and action to be a responsible global player or a change in China's stance and record on human rights protections. Thank you.

Speaker #2: And finally I just wanted to speak to the the broader context so since January 2025 China's views on issues like global governance climate change or armed conflict may appear to be a more aligned with Europe but that shouldn't be mistaken for improved goodwill in action to be a responsible global player or a change in China's stance and record on human rights protections.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Speaker #1: L'intervention en ligne de Madame Piazzo en ligne vous avez la parole pour répondre aux questions pour trois minutes.

Mounir Satouri: L'intervention en ligne de Madame Gyatso en ligne, vous avez la parole pour répondre aux questions pour 3 minutes.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much Mr. Chairman and thank you for the members of the Parliament for putting attention on this important new law. I wanted to really emphasize one of the speakers said earlier that inactivity means strength for CCP.

Tencho Gyatso: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for the members of the Parliament for putting attention on this important new law. I wanted to really emphasize one of the speakers said earlier that inactivity means strength for CCP. I totally agree with that. I want to bring your attention also one particular dreadful cause that demonstrates the totalitarian approach of CCP's policies. It says here that the parents or guardians of minors shall perform their family education responsibilities in accordance with law, educating and guiding minors to love the Chinese Communist Party, motherland people, and the Chinese people. I think that is clear what it says.

Speaker #2: I totally agree with that. I want to bring your attention also one particular dreadful cause that that demonstrates the totalitarian approach of CCP's policies.

Speaker #2: It says here that the parents or guardians of minors shall perform their family education responsibilities in accordance with law educating and guiding minors to love the Chinese Communist Party motherland people and the Chinese people.

Speaker #2: So I think that is clear what it says so I think in terms of what more the EU can do as we by one of the speakers earlier I put forth some recommendations but I think there is a lot more that the EU and the member states can do such as you know a statement on behalf of all the 27 member countries to condemn this ethnic law there are also sanctions that could be placed on Chinese officials and entities involved in the implement in its implementation and sanctions on Chinese officials involved in interference of particularly the succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama which many of you have also spoken about in particular I will stress also the appointment of a EU special representative on Tibet we see this is a really crucial time for Tibet and as I'm based in the United States here United States has had a position of a special representative on Tibet since 2002 and we have seen the benefit of having such a special coordinator and the impact that it can have and working collaboratively across so I think that's important.

Tencho Gyatso: I think in terms of what more the EU can do, as wished by one of the speakers earlier, I've put forth some recommendations, but I think there is a lot more that the EU and the member states can do, such as, you know, a statement on behalf of all the 27 member countries to condemn this ethnic law. There are also sanctions that could be placed on Chinese officials and entities involved in its implementation, and sanctions on Chinese officials involved in interference of particularly the succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which many of you have also spoken about. In particular, I will stress also the appointment of a EU special representative on Tibet.

Tencho Gyatso: We see this is a really crucial time for Tibet, and as I'm based in the United States here, the United States has had a position of a special representative on Tibet for since 2002, and we have seen the benefit of having such a special coordinator and the impact that it can have and working collaboratively across. I think that's important. Finally, I would like to stress what I had stressed earlier, that the resumption of Sino-Tibetan dialogue process is something that we call for because it's so important to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a solution and not a problem for the resolution of the conflict in Tibet. The parliament is somebody who has hosted His Holiness, and you know who the Dalai Lama represents.

Speaker #2: Finally I would like to stress what I had stressed earlier that the resumption of China-Tibetan dialogue process is something that we call for because it's so important to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a solution and not a problem for the resolution of the conflict in Tibet.

Speaker #2: The Parliament is somebody who has hosted His Holiness and you know who the Dalai Lama represents that his message of peace and compassion and interdependence is something that's in today's world.

Tencho Gyatso: That his message of peace and compassion and interdependence is something that's valid very much even in today's world. He is a figure that has worked tirelessly, not only for the benefit of Tibetans, but for the benefits of humanity at large. Your recognition of that will also give sense of strength and hope to the Tibetan and not only in Tibet, but the diaspora community and the community who appreciate these values. With that, I want to thank you for your time today.

Speaker #2: He is a figure that has worked tirelessly not only for the benefit of Tibetans but for the benefit of humanity at large so your recognition of that will also give sense of strength and hope to the Tibetan and it's not only in Tibet but the diaspora community and the community who who who appreciate these values.

Speaker #2: So with that I want to thank you for your time today.

Speaker #1: Merci à vous. Monsieur Brown pareil trois minutes de réponse.

Mounir Satouri: Merci à vous, Monsieur Brown. Pareil, 3 minutes de réponse.

Speaker #3: Thank you. So I'll say four things. I mean I've been dealing with China in one way or another as an official or a scholar for 40 years I think we just have to recognize we have failed to find a good way of talking to each other about values and and human rights issues.

Kerry Brown: Thank you. I'll say 4 things. I mean, I've been dealing with China in one way or another as an official or a scholar for 40 years. I think we just have to recognize we have failed to find a good way of talking to each other about values and human rights issues. There is fault on both sides. I think we've just never had the dialogue that probably we've wanted to have. I think we have to remember in the context of today, that of course, European and Americans and everywhere else, we are all in a very bewildered and complicated time. Therefore, I think that China's attitude or its appetite for listening to kind of strong language condemning it is limited. I think that's politically, we have to accept that. It's politically limited.

Speaker #3: There is fault on both sides I think we've just never had the dialogue that probably we wanted to have I think we have to remember in the context of today that of course European and Americans and everywhere else we are all in a very bewildered and complicated time and therefore I think that China's attitude or its appetite for listening to kind of you know kind of strong language condemning it is limited.

Speaker #3: I think that's politically we have to accept that it's politically limited it doesn't want to hear lectures that's just the reality we have to deal with.

Kerry Brown: It doesn't want to hear lectures. That's just the reality we have to deal with. The second thing I'd say is that rapid modernization is a global phenomenon. With China, it's been particularly rapid. I did stress in my comments that we have to put things in a larger context, many of these forces towards greater centralization in China across all areas are driven by the same kind of expansions of technology in other areas and modernity that we see elsewhere. The third is that I completely accept Chinese pressure abroad on activities is unacceptable. China doesn't accept interference in its own internal affairs, anything that constitutes that in Europe or elsewhere is completely unacceptable. The final thing I'd say is whether we like it or not, we have to create some kind of dialogue with China.

Speaker #3: The second thing I'd say is that rapid modern modernization is is a global phenomenon with China it's been particularly rapid I did stress in my comments that we have to put things in a larger context and that many of these forces towards greater centralization in China across all areas are driven by the same kind of expansions of technology in other areas and modernity that we see elsewhere the third is that I completely accept Chinese pressure abroad on activities is unacceptable China doesn't accept interference in its own internal affairs and so anything that constitutes that in Europe or elsewhere is completely unacceptable.

Speaker #3: The final thing I'd say is whether we like it or not we have to create some kind of dialogue with China we have a strategic choice we can condemn by not speaking and by not engaging because we believe strongly that what we see is wrong or we can accept pragmatically that we will have to deal with the government that exists in China as it is now and that we will have to find ways of talking to it and I think that I would stress to colleagues in the European Parliament and the European system it is very very important that we do try at least to have dialogue I think that there's definitely a complex situation in China and that we can certainly contribute to the development and evolution of that however challenging and difficult it is but it always was challenging and difficult and so I think we shouldn't lose hope.

Kerry Brown: We have a strategic choice. We can condemn by not speaking and by not engaging because we believe strongly that what we see is wrong, or we can accept pragmatically that we will have to deal with the government that exists in China as it is now, and that we will have to find ways of talking to it. I think that I would stress to colleagues in the European Parliament and the European system, it is very, very important that we do try at least to have dialogue. I think that there's definitely a complex situation in China, and that we can certainly contribute to the development and evolution of that. However challenging and difficult it is, but it always was challenging and difficult. I think we shouldn't lose hope. Thank you very much.

Speaker #3: Thank you very much.

Speaker #1: Merci Monsieur Brown Madame Pusterla sans vous rappeler que vous êtes attendu sur la déclaration commune des 27.

Mounir Satouri: Merci, Monsieur Brown. Nicoletta Pusterla, sans vous rappeler que vous êtes attendue sur la déclaration commune des 27.

Speaker #2: Oui bien sûr c'est à m'échapper. Many thanks I will make a comment on that and then brother comments on all of the subjects mentioned on the on the possible statement what I can say is that human rights issues including the rights of persons belonging to minorities is part of our discussions with the Chinese and with member states and with other institutions and it will continue so it's a way to say I'm not aware of any plan but it will be your recommendation will be of course reported and from the EAS side we can of course share with our colleagues our analysis of the law so I'm afraid I cannot go further than that but I wanted to share with you a bit the what I found as a fil rouge in the different intervention the importance of language and the fact that language is of course seen as linked to national minorities to fundamental rights linked to people's identity and I would like to share the fact with you that we have been discussing these issues with Chinese interlocutors for a very long time Professor Brown just referred to the importance of keeping the door open for dialogue and this is something we have done actually if you check our press release after the last human rights dialogue last year as part of the human rights dialogue the Chinese we visited with the Chinese delegation a province in an EU member state which is home to linguistic minorities and I have to say that there was a lot of interest shown from the from the Chinese delegation so I think that these are areas where we cannot avoid to express our concern publicly but also to engage and explain more about ourselves and share different practices.

Nicoletta Pusterla: Oui, bien sûr. Je ne vais pas m'échapper. No, many thanks. I will make a comment on that and then broader comments on all of the subjects mentioned on the possible statement. What I can say is that human rights issues, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, is part of our discussions with the Chinese and with member states and with other institutions, and it will continue to be so. So, it's a way to say, I'm not aware of any plan, but your recommendation will be, of course, reported, and from the EAS side, we can of course, share with our colleagues our analysis of the law.

Nicoletta Pusterla: I'm afraid I cannot go further than that. I wanted to share with you a bit what I found as a fil rouge in the different intervention, the importance of language, and the fact that language is of course seen as linked to national minorities, to fundamental rights, and linked to people's identity. I would like to share the fact with you that we have been discussing these issues with Chinese interlocutors for a very long time. Professor Brown just referred to the importance of keeping the door open for dialogue. This is something we have done.

Nicoletta Pusterla: Actually, if you check, our press release after the last human rights dialogue, last year as part of the human rights dialogue, the Chinese, we visited with the Chinese delegation.

Mounir Satouri: Avant de conclure, est-ce que le président de la délégation souhaite dire un mot ? Non. Merci chers collègues. Je l'ai mentionné en introduction, plusieurs organes de notre Parlement seront amenés dans les prochaines semaines, le prochain mois, à rencontrer leurs interlocuteurs chinois. Nous avons souhaité, avec ce suivi rapide de la dernière résolution, poser en quelque sorte la plateforme d'échange autour de ces questions importantes de droits humains que doit comporter, en tout cas du point de vue de droit, chaque rencontre avec des autorités chinoises ou des représentants chinois. Je souhaite beaucoup de chance à la délégation des relations avec la Chine. Vous êtes en avant-garde dans le cadre de vos relations. Vous pourrez compter sur nous pour le suivi sur le sujet.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Avant de conclure est-ce que le président de la délégation souhaite dire un mot.

Speaker #3: Non. ben merci chers collègues je l'ai mentionné on a une production plusieurs organes dans notre parlement seront amenés dans les prochaines semaines le prochain mois à rencontrer leurs interlocuteurs chinois nous avons souhaité avec ce suivi rapide de la dernière résolution poser en quelque sorte la plateforme d'échange autour de ces questions importantes de tout cas du point de vue de droit chaque rencontre avec les autorités chinoises ou des représentants chinois je souhaite beaucoup de chance à la délégation des relations avec la Chine vous êtes on avons garde dans le cadre de vos relations vous pourrez compter sur nous pour le suivi de la sur le sujet si vous imaginez que dans les prochains mois il y a des choses de votre point de vue de délégation de relations à changer et qu'il faut qu'à nouveau on convoque une réunion commune on sera à votre disposition merci aux experts pour leur rapport c'est un sujet important qu'on va continuer à suivre bonne journée.

Mounir Satouri: Si vous imaginez que dans les prochains mois, il y a des choses de votre point de vue de délégation de relations à changer et qu'il faut qu'à nouveau, on convoque une réunion commune, on sera à votre disposition. Merci aux experts pour le rapport. C'est un sujet important qu'on va continuer à suivre. Bonne journée. 2 petites minutes de pause, le temps de changer les speakers et on abordera le dernier point de la matinée. J'invite les collègues à reprendre place. Je salue ceux qui nous ont rejoints pour ce dernier point de notre matinée de travail. Nous poursuivons donc notre séance avec le débat, un débat plus urgent que jamais partout dans le monde, la liberté de la presse qui continue de décliner, tandis que les journalistes et les médias indépendants subissent une pression croissante.

Speaker #1: matinée. J'invite les collègues à reprendre place je salue ceux qui nous ont rejoints pour ce dernier point de notre matinée de travail nous poursuivons donc notre séance avec le débat un débat plus urgent que jamais partout dans le monde la liberté de la presse qui continue de décliner tandis que les journalistes et les médias indépendants subissent une pression croissante ces évolutions ont des conséquences profondes sur le fonctionnement des démocraties à travers le monde et sur la capacité des citoyens à accéder à des informations fiables le journalisme objectif indépendant et factuel reste une pierre angulaire de la démocratie il est indispensable pour une pour demander des comptes à ceux qui sont au pouvoir pour dénoncer les abus et la corruption et pour donner de la visibilité à des injustices qui autrement resteraient invisibles lorsque les journalistes sont réduits au silence intimidés aux contraintes à l'autocensure la résilience démocratique elle-même est affaiblie le parlement européen a toujours soutenu les journalistes et la liberté des médias dans le monde entier par nos résolutions et notre action extérieure nous avons demandé à plusieurs reprises les dénoncés à plusieurs reprises les attaques le harcèlement et l'impunité dans son victime les professionnels des médias en 2023 notre sous-commission a adopté un rapport spécifique sur la protection des journalistes et à l'échelle mondiale qui formule des recommandations concrètes sur la manière dont les instruments de l'UE peuvent être mieux mobilisés ce travail très pertinent aujourd'hui est nécessaire à un suivi soutenu dans ce contexte nous suivons de près l'évolution des cas de journalistes et caricaturistes vivant dans des conditions particulièrement précaires ou dangereuses comme c'est le cas de la caricaturiste palestinienne Safa Oda lauréate du programme pause du collège de France qui attend depuis le printemps 2025 avec sa sœur leur évacuation de l'enclave palestinienne de Gaza vers la France je souhaite la bienvenue à nos invités d'aujourd'hui qui vont nous aider à faire une évaluation de la situation actuelle en matière de liberté de la presse afin de définir les actions concrètes que l'Union européenne peut entreprendre pour accomplir son soutien aux journalistes et renforcer la liberté de la presse à travers le monde j'ai le plaisir d'avoir nos trois intervenants présents en salle sur le podium madame Julie je ne vais pas y arriver Maï Arzak représentante auprès des institutions européennes chez Reporters Sans Frontières bienvenue monsieur Thierry Anderson directeur exécutif de Cartoon in White et Helena Boguslawska chef de division adjointe pour les droits de l'homme au SEAE bienvenue à vous trois et je vous laisse chère Julie commencer vous avez 6 minutes bonjour euh merci beaucoup pour pour l'invitation euh alors nous avons publié euh le classement mondial de la liberté de la presse vendre jeudi dernier donc cette invitation tombe tombe à pic pour effectivement euh vous parler euh des euh des dernières menaces qui qui qui pèsent sur le journalisme le droit à l'information et aussi et mettre en avant ce que l'Union européenne euh pourrait faire alors pour la première fois euh dans l'histoire du classement mondial de la liberté de la presse euh le niveau est au plus bas plus de la moitié des pays dans le monde sont en situation difficile ou très grave et ce n'est pas donc un changement marginal c'est un vrai basculement structurel comment en est-on arrivé là alors bien sûr il y a les formes les plus visibles de répression qui persistent en 2025 euh 60 journalistes ont été tués en raison de leur travail aujourd'hui 473 euh journalistes sont en prison et donc dans de nombreux pays informés reste un acte qui peut coûter la liberté voire la vie les conflits armés jouent également un rôle majeur euh de l'Irak au Soudan en passant par le Yémen et surtout à Gaza euh les journalistes paient un tribut extrêmement lourd depuis le 7 octobre 19 2023 plus de 220 journalistes palestiniens ont été tués à Gaza par l'armée israélienne c'est une situation sans précédent dans les régimes dictatoriaux la répression reste tristement immuable et systématique je peux par je veux parler par exemple des derniers pays dans notre classement que sont la Chine la Corée du Nord et l'Érythrée Érythrée qui est le donc le dernier pays dans notre classement à la 180e position où le journaliste Dawit Isaac est détenu sans procès depuis depuis plus de 20 ans il y a aussi des États dans lesquels l'espace informationnel s'est rétréci au cours de ces 25 années sous l'effet de changements ou de durcissements des régimes politiques c'est le cas euh du territoire de Hong Kong depuis la reprise euh du contrôle par le pouvoir chinois mais c'est aussi le cas de la Géorgie de l'Arabie saoudite euh où fait unique dans le monde un journaliste qui avait été condamné à mort a été exécuté mais se limiter à ces constats serait insuffisant car les tactiques de prédation de la liberté de la presse évoluent c'est aussi le journalisme lui-même qui est de plus en plus menacé asphyxié par une parole politique de plus en plus hostile aux reporters fragilisé par une économie des médias en berne et pressurisé par l'instrumentation l'instrumentalisation pardon des lois contre la presse effectivement euh dans notre classement nous utilisons cinq indicateurs euh les indicateurs économiques indicateurs sécuritaires indicateurs politiques indicateurs sociaux et l'indicateur légal et ce que l'on observe cette année c'est que l'indicateur du cadre légal est celui qui baisse le plus le score est dégrade s'est dégradé dans plus de 60 % des pays cela traduit une tendance globale à l'instrumentalisation du droit pour restreindre la liberté d'informer pour criminaliser le journalisme en développant un arsenal législatif de plus en plus restrictif notamment à des politiques de sécurité nationale et cela euh va jusque dans nos pays démocratiques euh c'est particulièrement le cas de la Géorgie qui a été marquée par plus d'un an d'une crise démocratique et d'une répression des manifestants euh ainsi que de manifestations avec un arsenal juridique pour mettre au pas les médias et l'adoption de lois restrictives sur les agents de l'étranger et le financement des médias cette criminalisation repose donc sur deux mécanismes principaux le détournement des lois sur la sécurité nationale 25 ans après le 11 septembre 2001 l'extension du secret défense l'extension des législations antiterroristes servent dans de nombreux pays à empêcher la couverture de sujets d'intérêt public je vois que le temps passe donc je je je vais euh accélérer euh c'est une technique pour vous donner quelques exemples qu'on trouve aussi aux Philippines où les accusations de terrorisme euh ont euh servi à réduire au silence plusieurs reporters notamment la journaliste Frenchy Maï Kumpio euh à Hong Kong où des lois draconiennes sur la sécurité nationale ont permis euh d'incarcérer le patron de presse Jimmy Lai et d'autre part euh il y a aussi le recours croissant à des procédures bâillon ces actions judiciaires qui sont euh destinées non pas à gagner le fond d'un procès mais à épuiser financièrement et psychologiquement les journalistes ces pratiques se multiplient euh y compris euh au sein de l'Union européenne et donc face à ce à à à à ce ces constats à ces évolutions une question s'impose jusqu'où jusqu'à quand accepterons-nous cette asphyxie progressive du journalisme l'entrave systématique des journalistes et l'érosion continue de la liberté de la presse alors la question se pose de que peut faire l'UE parce que la criminalisation du journalisme ne résulte pas à l'échelle mondiale d'un vide juridique mais d'un détournement des outils existants et le plus souvent d'un défaut de volonté politique de le protéger la première des priorités c'est de lutter contre l'impunité aujourd'hui 90 % des crimes commis contre les journalistes restent impunis et c'est un signal dévastateur cela veut dire que s'en prendre à un journaliste n'a aucune conséquence l'Union européenne doit soutenir activement les mécanismes d'enquête internationaux renforcer la coopération juridiciaire et conditionner certaines de ses relations à des avancées concrètes en matière de lutte contre l'impunité euh RSF a d'ailleurs déposé euh cinq plaintes auprès euh de la CPI pour crimes de guerre dans euh contre Israël dans le cadre de la de du conflit à Gaza euh la deuxième priorité c'est de soutenir les journalistes et les médias en exil parce que soutenir les journalistes et les médias en exil c'est aussi euh permettre euh à la liberté de la presse euh de d'être euh défendue c'est permettre euh de que nous soyons aussi informés de ce qui se passe euh dans certains pays car ce sont eux qui sont euh les plus à même de nous informer et c'est aussi permettre que dans les pays autoritaires les citoyens puissent encore avoir à euh accès à certaines informations fiables euh et pour cela l'Europe doit vraiment mettre en place des dispositifs ambitieux des visas spécifiques des titres de séjour durable une réunification familiale un un accès au marché du travail euh parce qu'il ne s'agit pas seulement simplement d'accueillir il faut leur permettre de continuer à informer et euh par exemple euh une des initiatives que nous avons un des projets que nous avons c'est vrai c'est fini ouh là là là là là là ok bon alors juste un dernier point euh en ce moment concernant le conflit à Gaza il y a une une initiative de différentes organisations euh dont le CPJ dont la Fédération européenne des journalistes euh pour euh qui qui qui circule euh un projet de lettre à la présidente von der Leyen elle a autre représentance qu'à Yakalas pour demander euh de d'utiliser tous les moyens possibles pour ouvrir Gaza à la presse internationale d'ailleurs Munir Satouri l'a signé euh elle est sur le point de d'être envoyée demain matin donc si certains d'entre vous ne l'ont pas signé et veulent la signer je les lâche je peux vous la transmettre et aussi euh transmettre le fait que vous êtes signataires de cette lettre merci merci et oui le temps passe vite et mon rôle c'est de rappeler le temps de parole chacune à chacun monsieur Anderson thank you et cartoon is race my organization is an American nonprofit established in 1999 and dedicated to defense of the human rights of cartoonists variously abused criminalized displaced and or threatened with violence because of the material that they draw we work in very close concert with cartooning for peace Paris on matters of common interest and ordinarily it would be their president addressing you now and I'm grateful for the opportunity to substitute last time we were both here was with cartoonists on the line a report on threats to editorial and political cartoonists worldwide in the post-pandemic period in March this year we launched its sequel entitled Under Pressure and there will be copies of that report available by the door as you exit in both the French and English so I encourage you to avail yourself of it while cartoonists on the line covered the period 2020 to 22 and what we are judged to be a doubling of reported incidents of cartoonists censorship Under Pressure looks at trends in evidence through 2023 through 25 the chief problems of brutal authoritarianism and intolerance of dissent have not abated but in addition more insidious forces are at work I will expand upon that but it cannot go unsaid that the single most dramatic change has been in the United States the president of the United States does not read and in my view that is the only reason cartoonists have not been lavished with the same negative attention he bestows upon TV comedians and pundits however news media owners and managers are so to speak obeying in advance resulting in a rash of cartoon cartoonists resigned dismissed or cartoons dropped entirely from titles and made accusations of Trump derangement syndrome or similar the Gaza conflict has been a multiplier with over sensitivity to accusations of anti-semitism having an obvious chilling effect and so to the report and the 87 cases examined therein which is a lot more than I have time to disclose but a very short list I would highlight Mohammed Alhaza who was approaching at the end of a six-year prison sentence for charges pertaining to a cartoon published in Qatari media amid a Saudi Arabian economic boycott when at an unknown date in 2024 a secret and therefore illegal retrial was held many months later his family in Al-Baha learned that his sentence had been extended to 23 years in addition to the numerous abuses that have occurred to his rights as a defendant it is alleged that his medical needs have been neglected and that he has been tortured we were co-signatories to a submission put before the UN working group on arbitrary detention on Alhaza's behalf in January this year in Cairo July 2024 the home of cartoonists and translator Ashraf Omar was raided and he in the contents of his workspace were seized initially the police denied involvement as is often the way in Egypt but after 48 hours it was established that Omar was indeed a prisoner and had been interrogated with his wife Nada Mugith later saying that threats of electrocution were made he was subject to measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and never repealed which entailed video conferences with a judge and prosecutor renewing a cycle of pretrial detention with no opportunity to object or seek recourse and only now ending as we've recently learned that full trial proceedings against him will at last begin May 10th accused of assisting and financing terrorism and in late June last year Leman magazine published a cartoon by Doan Pelevan that portrayed two deceased souls ascending to heaven from the ruins of Gaza a Jew named Moses or Musa and a Muslim named Mohammed and this was in our view willfully and deliberately misreported as a portrayal of the prophet leading to mass protests at the magazine's Istanbul office and the heavily publicized arrest of Pelevan plus four other staff members with a sixth co-accused abroad at the time and now living in exile in France criminal trials of these five began yesterday although they were essentially sent home and told to return mid-October meanwhile the magazine itself has been shut down maligned as an instrument of foreign influence and investigated on supposed financial irregularities this was the last remaining of what was once a humor magazine stable to rival any in Europe gradually worn away under President Erdogan's time in office lastly we have taken a close look at cartoonists' experiences online again the findings are large in volume and there are 21 separate recommendations that we have in the report which I will not try to summarize here but we have focused on censorship and content moderation moderation rather abuse aimed at cartoonists our precarity within the media ecosystem and the risks posed by AI we'd welcome your support in addressing those concerns that otherwise unapproachable tech giants but to return to the idea of pressure from invisible forces it is noteworthy that almost half the cartoonists feel although naturally they cannot prove that they have been shadowbanned and of those who report more direct censorship content removal accounts suspension etc the most frequently cited reason is the political content of their work and although majorities say that they have been insulted threatened had caused to feel anxious or fearful figures that also spike among female and among younger cartoonists most do not parties nor do those who appeal succeed with moderators the online space is the last the last redoubt for so many cartoonists abandoned by traditional or legacy media we cannot allow it to become a hopelessly hostile environment thank you Edina c'est à vous et merci Monsieur le Président euh thank you very much for inviting the to this to this panel I will start maybe by by saying the obvious that democracy cannot exist without a free press and that independent media is is a cornerstone of any democratic society and it's essentially alongside with the freedom of expression it's it's these are fundamental human rights these are not just nice to haves in this respect the international law is very clear journalists must be protected at all times they must be able to carry their work freely intimidation persecution or expulsion and this is especially critical in conflict zones where journalists shed lights on on the realities of war and where they often also show this in in in the spotlight the potential war crimes we have heard from from my fellow panelists that the 2025 was the deadliest year for journalists worldwide ever recorded it is of course largely due to wars and conflicts we have seen it in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and also the current conflicts in the Middle East recently in Gaza and and and Lebanon as well as in many places in Africa all those killings should be fully investigated and those responsibility should responsible should be should be held accountable but also elsewhere across the world we see that the killings injuring threatening arbitrary detention torture forcing into exile and and silencing of of journalists it really has become a shocking reality and and we have seen also in our contacts with the civil society that that it has been really growing particularly last year women journalists are disproportionately targeted by gender-based violence including online harassment and abuse which also further silences critical voices we have also seen the steep decline in the legal environment in in many places and and as Mrs. Mayerchuk also referred to the intimidation offline and online along with the strategic lawsuits against public participation so-called slaps type of of legislation that risk fostering this kind of self-censorship behavior amongst journalists there are new very inventive ways of of presenting new types of legislation in many countries all kinds of laws on state secrets that potentially compel journalists to reveal sources the misuse of the terrorist laws fake news charges all the cybersecurity cybercrime bills and also the the intrusive surveillance techniques and so on we have we decried the intimidation and repression against journalists taken by the by the authoritarian regimes notably including violence and repression by the Iranian regime and and we raise the need for the government to to set a solid legal framework to protect the journalists I would like to mention also one more challenge that that we see as a growing challenge in the past few years the fact that traditional media outlets are struggling including struggling financially they are cutting also networks of foreign correspondents and it all this together creates a bit of a void in which we see more and more outlets posing as media that try to fill in and and spreading fake news or or echoing de facto those in power instead of holding them accountable so it floods then the the public with the with propaganda and disinformation it requires us to to pay particular attention also to the issue of the independence of the public broadcasters transparency of media ownership we have been also raising consistently the issue of the internet shutdowns that also have an effect on curtailing information freedom of information and expression and impact the work of journalists and bloggers we have just issued a statement last week on the on the world press freedom day by the high representative Kaya Kalas on behalf of the EU so so agreed that by all the EU member states in which the European Union reaffirms its its resolute commitment to defend free pluralistic media independent and qualitative journalists against all this mounting pressure we have also marked last year the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists it's on the 2nd of November but this is these are of course just just the symbolic steps we reflect all those commitments and and try to address all those concerns also in our daily work both in Brussels and also in the delegations around the world and together with the member states in in Team Europe as well as in partnership with with a lot of other partners I can mention the European Endowment for Democracy who supports a lot of independent platforms and journalists we work a lot with the UN on protection of journalists and media workers with UNESCO also with the Council of Europe and and OEC I have to say that all this is of course in the growing somehow more challenging global landscape it's it's it's not enough but it is a necessary work that that we are trying to carry out and I if I may put a bit of publicity for an upcoming publication that we will have we will soon publish our annual report on human rights and democracy that should should come out in the coming weeks and in this report one of the important factuals benchmarks that we use it's always the WordPress Freedom Index by reporters without borders so it's for us also a regular source of of information to factually present the human rights situation in various countries so we thank also for the latest edition of the of the index that was published and the the report will also contain a lot of examples that of concrete actions that we have taken around the world including on media freedom and on protection of journalists so I will not dwell on on particular examples but I would very much like to refer to to this upcoming publication it's an annual publication and it also presents a picture of of the worsening situation one year after another particularly on this on this file the moment publicité était entendu sachez que ici parmi les membres de cette commission et des lecteurs attentifs de votre rapport annuel donc je pense que il y aura beaucoup de lecture et peut-être qu'on aura un temps d'échange sur les différentes thématiques euh je vais donner la parole aux collègues et pour au nom du groupe socialiste je donne la parole à notre premier vice-président Martha Temedo c'est vous qui avez la parole merci beaucoup cher euh je vais m'exprimer en portugais muito obrigada pelas apresentações de hoje não há outra forma de começar senão dizer que este momento que de alguma forma celebramos hoje o Dia Mundial da Liberdade de Imprensa não podia acontecer num contexto mais preocupante face àquilo que sabemos das notícias diárias mas também aos relatórios recentes designadamente aquele que hoje nos é aqui referido pelos repórteres sem fronteiras metade dos países cobertos pelo relatório cai agora nas categorias de difícil ou muito difícil liberdade de imprensa e não podemos deixar de notar que há aqui alinhamento entre estes resultados e os de outro relatório recente que também discutimos nesta comissão Varieties of Democracy que também mostra as democracias do mundo a afundarem-se jornalistas mortos presos judicialmente acusados de atentado contra a segurança nacional de terrorismo para já não falar de ameaças diversas esta é uma descrição habitual e é uma descrição muitíssimo perturbadora sobretudo e eu sei que esta comissão se situa em termos de análise ao lado daquilo que é a ação externa sobretudo quando estas descrições se aplicam também a países europeus e eu gostaria de deixar esta tónica tenho uma preocupação especial com a Eritreia porque se o corno de África e a Eritreia continua a ser o último posicionado deste ranking mas verificamos que o European Media Freedom Act está a ser desrespeitado em muitos dos nossos estados-membros e era sobre isso que eu gostaria que pudessem os nossos intervenientes falar pouco mais porque chega de olhar para o que se passa na casa dos outros sem cuidarmos daquilo que se passa nos nossos estados-membros quando vemos que a Alemanha é mencionada como tendo leis de segurança nacional que colocam em causa o European Medium Freedom Act em termos de proteção das fontes de jornalistas temos que ficar preocupados quando vimos que a Bulgária Malta a Itália têm legislação ou legislação que está a ser escrita que se prepara que põe em causa a independência dos public broadcasters temos que ficar preocupados portanto o que podemos fazer nós para melhorar a liberdade de expressão que também está sob ameaça já não falo dos estados dos países do alargamento mas dos nossos próprios estados-membros designadamente em termos financeiros a nossa os nossos ataques em termos da União Europeia são mais sofisticados como podemos nós proteger os jornalistas e a liberdade de imprensa dos ataques financeiros não são tão letais como os que são mortais mas são igualmente preocupantes para a democracia obrigada presidente.

Mounir Satouri: Ces évolutions ont des conséquences profondes sur le fonctionnement des démocraties à travers le monde et sur la capacité des citoyens à accéder à des informations fiables. Le journalisme objectif, indépendant et factuel reste une pierre angulaire de la démocratie. Il est indispensable pour demander des comptes à ceux qui sont au pouvoir, pour dénoncer les abus, la corruption et pour donner de la visibilité à des injustices qui autrement resteraient invisibles. Lorsque les journalistes sont réduits au silence, intimidés ou contraints à l'autocensure, la résilience démocratique elle-même est affaiblie. Le Parlement européen a toujours soutenu les journalistes et la liberté des médias dans le monde entier. Par nos résolutions et notre action extérieure, nous avons demandé à plusieurs reprises, dénoncé à plusieurs reprises les attaques, le harcèlement et l'impunité dont sont victimes les professionnels des médias.

Mounir Satouri: En 2023, notre sous-commission a adopté un rapport spécifique sur la protection des journalistes et à l'échelle mondiale qui formule des recommandations concrètes sur la manière dont les instruments de l'UE peuvent être mieux mobilisés. Ce travail très pertinent aujourd'hui est nécessaire à un suivi soutenu. Dans ce contexte, nous suivons de près l'évolution des cas de journalistes et caricaturistes vivant dans des conditions particulièrement précaires ou dangereuses, comme c'est le cas de la caricaturiste palestinienne Safaa Odah, lauréate du programme PAUSE du Collège de France, qui attend depuis le printemps 2025 avec sa sœur leur évacuation de l'enclave palestinienne de Gaza vers la France.

Mounir Satouri: Je souhaite la bienvenue à nos invités d'aujourd'hui qui vont nous aider à faire une évaluation de la situation actuelle en matière de liberté de la presse afin de définir les actions concrètes que l'Union européenne peut entreprendre pour accomplir son soutien aux journalistes et renforcer la liberté de la presse à travers le monde. J'ai le plaisir d'avoir nos trois intervenants présents en salle sur le podium. Madame Julie, je vais pas y arriver, Majerczak, représentante auprès des institutions européennes chez Reporters sans frontières. Bienvenue. Monsieur Terry Anderson, directeur exécutif de Cartoonists Rights Network International, et Elena Boguslavska, chef de division adjointe pour les droits de l'homme au SAAE. Bienvenue à vous trois. Je vous laisse, chère Julie, commencer. Vous avez 6 minutes.

Julie Majerczak: Bonjour, merci beaucoup pour l'invitation. Nous avons publié le Classement mondial de la liberté de la presse vendredi, jeudi dernier. Cette invitation tombe à pic pour effectivement vous parler des dernières menaces qui pèsent sur le journalisme, le droit à l'information et aussi, et mettre en avant ce que l'Union européenne pourrait faire. Pour la première fois dans l'histoire du Classement mondial de la liberté de la presse, le niveau est au plus bas. Plus de la moitié des pays dans le monde sont en situation difficile ou très grave. Ce n'est pas donc un changement marginal, c'est un vrai basculement structurel. Comment en est-on arrivé là ? Bien sûr, il y a les formes les plus visibles de répression qui persistent. En 2025, 60 journalistes ont été tués en raison de leur travail.

Julie Majerczak: Aujourd'hui, 473 journalistes sont en prison. Dans de nombreux pays, informer reste un acte qui peut coûter la liberté, voire la vie. Les conflits armés jouent également un rôle majeur. De l'Irak au Soudan, en passant par le Yémen et surtout à Gaza, les journalistes paient un tribut extrêmement lourd. Depuis le 07 October 2023, plus de 220 journalistes palestiniens ont été tués à Gaza par l'armée israélienne. C'est une situation sans précédent. Dans les régimes dictatoriaux, la répression reste tristement immuable et systématique. Je veux parler par exemple des derniers pays dans notre classement que sont la Chine, la Corée du Nord et l'Érythrée. Érythrée, qui est le, donc le dernier pays dans notre classement, à la 180th position, où le journaliste Dawit Isaak est détenu sans procès depuis plus de 20 ans.

Julie Majerczak: Il y a aussi des États dans lesquels l'espace informationnel s'est rétréci au cours de ces 25 années sous l'effet de changements ou de durcissements des régimes politiques. C'est le cas du territoire de Hong Kong depuis la reprise du contrôle par le pouvoir chinois, mais c'est aussi le cas de la Géorgie, de l'Arabie Saoudite, où, fait unique dans le monde, un journaliste qui avait été condamné à mort a été exécuté. Se limiter à ces constats serait insuffisant, car les tactiques de prédation de la liberté de la presse évoluent. C'est aussi le journalisme lui-même qui est de plus en plus menacé, asphyxié par une parole politique de plus en plus hostile aux reporters, fragilisé par une économie des médias en berne et pressurisée par l'instrumentalisation, pardon, des lois contre la presse.

Julie Majerczak: Effectivement, dans notre classement, nous utilisons 5 indicateurs, l'indicateur économique, l'indicateur sécuritaire, l'indicateur politique, l'indicateur social, et l'indicateur légal. Ce que l'on observe cette année, c'est que l'indicateur du cadre légal est celui qui baisse le plus. Le score s'est dégradé dans plus de 60% des pays. Cela traduit une tendance globale à l'instrumentalisation du droit pour restreindre la liberté d'informer, pour criminaliser le journalisme en développant un arsenal législatif de plus en plus restrictif, notamment à des politiques de sécurité nationale. Cela va jusque dans nos pays démocratiques.

Julie Majerczak: C'est particulièrement le cas de la Géorgie, qui a été marquée par plus d'un an d'une crise démocratique et d'une répression des manifestants, ainsi que de ceux qui couvraient ces manifestations avec un arsenal juridique pour mettre au pas les médias et l'adoption de lois restrictives sur les agents de l'étranger et le financement des médias. Cette criminalisation repose donc sur deux mécanismes principaux : le détournement des lois sur la sécurité nationale. 25 ans après le 11 September 2001, l'extension du secret défense, l'extension des législations antiterroristes servent dans de nombreux pays à empêcher la couverture de sujets d'intérêt public. Je vois que le temps passe, donc je vais accélérer.

Julie Majerczak: C'est une technique, pour vous donner quelques exemples, qu'on trouve aussi aux Philippines, où les accusations de terrorisme ont servi à réduire au silence plusieurs reporters, notamment la journaliste Frenchie Mae Cumpio, à Hong Kong, où des lois draconiennes sur la sécurité nationale ont permis d'incarcérer le patron de presse Jimmy Lai. D'autre part, il y a aussi le recours croissant à des procédures bâillon. Ces actions judiciaires qui sont destinées non pas à gagner le fond d'un procès, mais à épuiser financièrement et psychologiquement les journalistes, ces pratiques se multiplient, y compris au sein de l'European Union. Donc, face à ces constats, à ces évolutions, une question s'impose. Jusqu'où, jusqu'à quand accepterons-nous cette asphyxie progressive du journalisme, l'entrave systématique des journalistes et l'érosion continue de la liberté de la presse ?

Julie Majerczak: La question se pose de ce que peut faire l'UE. La criminalisation du journaliste ne résulte pas, à l'échelle mondiale, d'un vide juridique, mais d'un détournement des outils existants et le plus souvent, d'un défaut de volonté politique de le protéger. La première des priorités, c'est de lutter contre l'impunité. Aujourd'hui, 90% des crimes commis contre les journalistes restent impunis. C'est un signal dévastateur. Cela veut dire que s'en prendre à un journaliste n'a aucune conséquence. L'Union européenne doit soutenir activement les mécanismes d'enquête internationaux, renforcer la coopération judiciaire et conditionner certaines de ses relations à des avancées concrètes en matière de lutte contre l'impunité. RSF a d'ailleurs déposé 5 plaintes auprès de la CPI pour crimes de guerre contre Israel, dans le cadre de la, de, du conflit à Gaza.

Julie Majerczak: La deuxième priorité, c'est de soutenir les journalistes et les médias en exil. Parce que soutenir les journalistes et les médias en exil, c'est aussi, permettre, à la liberté de la presse, de, d'être, défendue, c'est permettre, de, que nous soyons aussi informés de ce qui se passe, dans certains pays, car ce sont eux qui sont, les plus à même de nous informer. Et c'est aussi permettre que dans les pays autoritaires, les citoyens puissent encore avoir à, accès à certaines informations fiables. Et pour cela, l'Europe doit vraiment mettre en place des dispositifs ambitieux, des visas spécifiques, des titres de séjour durable, une réunification familiale, un accès au marché du travail. Parce qu'il ne s'agit pas seulement, simplement d'accueillir, il faut leur permettre de continuer à informer.

Julie Majerczak: Par exemple, une des initiatives que nous avons, un des projets que nous avons. C'est vrai, c'est fini. Ouh là là là là là là. OK. Juste un dernier point. En ce moment, concernant le conflit à Gaza, il y a une initiative de différentes organisations, dont le CPJ, dont la Fédération européenne des journalistes, pour qui circule un projet de lettre à la présidente von der Leyen et la haute représentante Kaja Kallas pour demander d'utiliser tous les moyens possibles pour ouvrir Gaza à la presse internationale. D'ailleurs, Mounir Satouri l'a signée. Elle est sur le point d'être envoyée demain matin. Si certains d'entre vous ne l'ont pas signée et veulent la signer, je l'ai là, je peux vous la transmettre et aussi transmettre le fait que vous êtes signataire de cette lettre.

Julie Majerczak: Merci.

Mounir Satouri: Merci. Oui, le temps passe vite et mon rôle, c'est de rappeler le temps parlant de chacune et chacun. Monsieur Anderson.

Terry Anderson: Thank you. Cartoonists Rights, my organization, is an American nonprofit established in 1999 and dedicated to defense of the human rights of cartoonists variously abused, criminalized, displaced, and/or threatened with violence because of the material that they draw. We work in very close concert with Cartooning for Peace, Paris, on matters of common interest. Ordinarily, it would be their president addressing you now. I'm grateful for the opportunity to substitute. Last time we were both here was with Cartoonists on the Line, our report on threats to editorial and political cartoonists worldwide in the post-pandemic period. In March this year, we launched its sequel, entitled Under Pressure. There will be copies of that report available by the door as you exit in both French and English. I encourage you to avail yourself of it.

Terry Anderson: While Cartoonists on the Line covered the periods 2020 to 2022 and what we adjudged to be a doubling of reported incidents of cartoonists' censorship, Under Pressure looks at trends and evidence through 2023 through 2025. The chief problems of brutal authoritarianism and intolerance of dissent have not abated, but in addition, more insidious forces are at work. I will expand upon that, but it cannot go unsaid that the single most dramatic change has been in the United States. The President of the United States does not read, and in my view, that is the only reason cartoonists have not been lavished with the same negative attention he bestows upon TV comedians and pundits. News media owners and managers are, so to speak, obeying in advance, resulting in a rash of cartoonists resigned, dismissed, or cartoons dropped entirely from titles amid accusations of Trump derangement syndrome or similar.

Terry Anderson: The Gaza conflict has been a multiplier, with oversensitivity to accusations of antisemitism having an obvious chilling effect. To the report and the 87 cases examined therein, which is a lot more than I have time to disclose, but a very short list, I would highlight Mohammed al-Ghamdi, who was approaching the end of a 6-year prison sentence for charges pertaining to a cartoon published in Qatari media amid a Saudi Arabian economic boycott when, at an unknown date in 2024, a secret and therefore illegal retrial was held. Many months later, his family in Al Baha learned that his sentence had been extended to 23 years. In addition to the numerous abuses that have occurred to his rights as a defendant, it is alleged that his medical needs have been neglected and that he has been tortured.

Terry Anderson: We were co-signatories to a submission put before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on Mohammed al-Ghamdi's behalf in January this year. In Cairo, July 2024, the home of cartoonist and translator Ashraf Omar was raided, and he and the contents of his workspace were seized. Initially, the police denied involvement, as is often the way in Egypt, but after 48 hours, it was established that Omar was indeed a prisoner and had been interrogated, with his wife, Nada Mougheeth, later saying that threats of electrocution were made.

Terry Anderson: He was subject to measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and never repealed, which entailed video conferences with a judge and prosecutor, renewing a cycle of pre-trial detention with no opportunity to object or seek recourse, and only now ending, as we've recently learned that full trial proceedings against him will at last begin 10 May, accused of assisting and financing terrorism. In late June last year, LeMan Magazine published a cartoon by Doğan Pehlevan that portrayed two deceased souls ascending to heaven from the ruins of Gaza, a Jew named Moses or Musa and a Muslim named Mohammed.

Terry Anderson: This was, in our view, willfully and deliberately misreported as a portrayal of the Prophet, leading to mass protests at the magazine's Istanbul office and the heavily publicized arrest of Doğan Pehlevan, plus four other staff members, with a sixth co-accused abroad at the time and now living in exile in France. Criminal trials of these five began yesterday, although they were essentially sent home and told to return in mid-October. Meanwhile, the magazine itself has been shut down, maligned as an instrument of foreign influence, and investigated on supposed financial irregularities. This was the last remaining of what was once a humor magazine stable to rival any in Europe, gradually worn away under President Erdogan's time in office. Lastly, we have taken a close look at cartoonists' experiences online.

Terry Anderson: Again, the findings are large in volume, there are 21 separate recommendations that we have in the report, which I will not try to summarize here. We have focused on censorship and content mediation, moderation rather, abuse aimed at cartoonists, our precarity within the media ecosystem, and the risks posed by AI. We'd welcome your support in addressing those concerns to otherwise unapproachable tech giants. To return to the idea of pressure from invisible forces, it is noteworthy that almost half the cartoonists feel, although naturally they cannot prove, that they have been shadow banned. Of those who report more direct censorship, content removal, account suspension, et cetera, the most frequently cited reason is the political content of their work.

Terry Anderson: Although majorities say that they have been insulted, threatened, had cause to feel anxious or fearful, figures that also spike among female and among younger cartoonists, most do not bother to report these problems to third parties, nor do those who appeal succeed with moderators. The online space is the last redoubt for so many cartoonists abandoned by traditional or legacy media. We cannot allow it to become a hopelessly hostile environment. Thank you.

Elena Boguslavska: Merci, Monsieur President. Thank you very much for inviting the ES to this panel. I will start maybe by saying the obvious, that democracy cannot exist without a free press, and that independent media is a cornerstone of any democratic society. It's essentially alongside with the freedom of expression, these are fundamental human rights. These are not just nice to have. In this respect, the international law is very clear. Journalists must be protected at all times. They must be able to carry their work freely without undue interference, fear of violence, harassment, intimidation, persecution, or expulsion. This is especially critical in conflict zones, where journalists shed lights on the realities of war and where they often also show this in the spotlight the potential war crimes.

Elena Boguslavska: We have heard from my fellow panelists that 2025 was the deadliest year for journalists worldwide ever recorded. It is, of course, largely due to wars and conflicts. We have seen it in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and also the current conflicts in the Middle East, recently in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as in many places in Africa. All those killings should be fully investigated, and those responsible should be held accountable. Also elsewhere, across the world, we see that the killings, injuring, threatening, arbitrary detention, torture, forcing into exile, and silencing of journalists.

Elena Boguslavska: It really has become a shocking reality, and we have seen also in our contacts with the civil society that it has been really growing, particularly last year. Women journalists are disproportionately targeted by gender-based violence, including online harassment and abuse, which also further silences critical voices. We have also seen the steep decline in the legal environment in many places and as Mrs. Majerczak also referred to, the intimidation offline and online, along with the strategic lawsuits against public participation, so-called SLAPPs, type of legislation that risk fostering this kind of self-censorship behavior amongst journalists.

Elena Boguslavska: There are new, very inventive ways of presenting new types of legislation in many countries, all kinds of laws on state secrets that potentially compel journalists to reveal sources, the misuse of the terrorist laws, fake news charges, all the cybersecurity cybercrime bills, and also the intrusive surveillance techniques, and so on. We decry the intimidation and repression against journalists, taken by the authoritarian regimes, notably including violence and repression by the Iranian regime. We raise the need for the governments to set a solid legal framework to protect the journalists. I would like to mention also one more challenge that we see as a growing challenge in the past few years.

Elena Boguslavska: The fact that traditional media outlets are struggling, including struggling financially. They are cutting also networks of foreign correspondents. All this together creates a bit of a void in which we see more and more outlets posing as media that try to fill in and spreading fake news or echoing de facto those in power instead of holding them accountable. It floods then the public with propaganda and disinformation. It requires us to pay particular attention also to the issue of the independence of the public broadcasters, transparency of media ownership. We have been also raising consistently the issue of the internet shutdowns that also have an effect on curtailing freedom of information and expression and impact the work of journalists and bloggers.

Elena Boguslavska: We have just issued a statement last week on the World Press Freedom Day by the High Representative Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the EU, so agreed by all the EU member states, in which the European Union reaffirms its resolute commitment to defend free pluralistic media, independent and qualitative journalism against all this mounting pressure. We have also marked last year the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. It's on the 2 November. This is, these are of course, just the symbolic steps.

Elena Boguslavska: We reflect all those commitments and try to address all those concerns also in our daily work, both in Brussels and also in the delegations around the world, and together with the member states in Team Europe, as well as in partnership with a lot of other partners. I can mention the European Endowment for Democracy, who supports a lot of independent platforms and journalists. We work a lot with the UN on protection of journalists and media workers, with UNESCO, also with the Council of Europe and OSCE. I have to say that all this is of course in the growing somehow more challenging global landscape, it's not enough, but it is a necessary work that we are trying to carry out.

Elena Boguslavska: If I may put a bit of publicity for an upcoming publication that we will have, we will soon publish our annual report on human rights and democracy that should come out in the coming weeks. In this report, one of the important factual benchmarks that we use, it's always the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. It's for us also a regular source of information to factually present the human rights situation in various countries. We thank also for the latest edition of the index that was published. The report will also contain a lot of examples of concrete actions that we have taken around the world, including on media freedom and on protection of journalists.

Elena Boguslavska: I will not dwell on particular examples, but I would very much like to refer to this upcoming publication. It's an annual publication, and it also presents a picture of the worsening situation, 1 year after another, particularly on this file.

Mounir Satouri: Le moment publicité a été entendu. Sachez que ici, parmi les membres de cette commission et des lecteurs attentifs de votre rapport annuel, je pense que il y aura beaucoup de lectures et peut-être qu'on aura un temps d'échange sur les différentes thématiques. Je vais donner la parole aux collègues et pour nom du groupe socialiste, je donne la parole à notre Première Vice-Présidente, Marta Temido. C'est vous qui avez la parole.

Marta Temido: Merci beaucoup, cher. Je vais m'exprimer en português. Muito obrigada pelas apresentações de hoje. Não há outra forma de começar senão dizer que este momento que de alguma forma celebramos hoje, o Dia Mundial da Liberdade de Imprensa, não podia acontecer num contexto mais preocupante face àquilo que sabemos das notícias diárias, mas também aos relatórios recentes, designadamente, aquele que hoje nos é aqui referido pelos Repórteres sem Fronteiras. Metade dos países cobertos pelo relatório caem agora nas categorias de difícil ou muito difícil liberdade de imprensa. Não podemos deixar de notar que há aqui um alinhamento entre estes resultados e os de um outro relatório recente que também discutimos nesta comissão, Varieties of Democracy, que também mostra as democracias do mundo a afundarem-se.

Marta Temido: Jornalistas mortos, presos, judicialmente acusados de atentado contra a segurança nacional, de terrorismo, pra já não falar de ameaças diversas. Esta é uma descrição habitual e é uma descrição muitíssimo perturbadora, sobretudo, e eu sei que esta comissão se situa em termos de análise ao lado daquilo que é a ação externa, sobretudo quando estas descrições se aplicam também a países europeus. Eu gostaria de deixar esta tônica. Tenho uma preocupação especial com a Eritreia, porque sim, o Corno da África e a Eritreia continua a ser o último posicionado deste ranking, mas verificamos que o European Media Freedom Act está a ser desrespeitado em muitos dos nossos Estados membros.

Marta Temido: Era sobre isso que eu gostaria que pudessem os nossos intervenientes falar um pouco mais, porque chega de olhar para o que se passa na casa dos outros sem cuidarmos daquilo que se passa nos nossos Estados membros. Quando vemos que a Alemanha é mencionada como tendo lei de segurança nacional que colocam em causa o European Media Freedom Act em termos de proteção das fontes dos jornalistas, temos que ficar preocupados. Quando vimos que a Bulgária, Malta, a Itália têm legislação ou legislação que está a ser escrita que se prepara que põe em causa a independência dos public broadcasters, temos que ficar preocupados. O que podemos fazer nós para melhorar a liberdade de expressão, que também está sob ameaça, já não falo dos Estados, dos países do alargamento, mas dos nossos próprios Estados membros, designadamente em termos financeiros.

Marta Temido: Os nossos ataques em termos da União Europeia são mais sofisticados. Como podemos nós proteger os jornalistas e a liberdade de imprensa dos ataques financeiros? Não são tão letais como os que são mortais, mas são igualmente preocupantes pra democracia. Obrigada, Presidente.

Speaker #1: Merci je salue l'arrivée parmi nous d'Isabelle je vais donner la parole à Monsieur Vallée pour 2 minutes et si Isabelle souhaite prendre la parole avant la fin du tour de table elle le prendra quand elle veut mais allez-y Monsieur Vallée non non allez-y.

Mounir Satouri: Merci. Je salue l'arrivée parmi nous d'Isabel. Je vais donner la parole à Monsieur Vallet pour 2 minutes. Si Isabelle souhaite prendre la parole avant la fin du tour de table, elle le prendra quand elle veut. Allez-y, Monsieur Vallet. Allez-y.

Speaker #1: Merci Monsieur le Président merci Messieurs Mesdames pour vos interventions j'ai une interpellation plus précise sur la Mayerzak j'espère ne pas écorcher votre nom de famille euh au nom de Reporters Sans Frontières je pense que vous l'avez oublié mais que vous le soutenez je voudrais penser à notre compatriote français Christophe Gleze qui est un journaliste français détenu en Algérie depuis presque un an sa famille aujourd'hui renonce au pouvoir en cassation afin d'obtenir de Monsieur Tebboune le président algérien la remise totale de la peine et qui rentre à la maison avant la Coupe du Monde je reprends les paroles aujourd'hui à la presse je salue les reporters sans frontières qui depuis le début soutiennent ce compatriote qui n'a pas la chance pour l'instant comme Boualem Sansal d'être libéré et dont je rappelle que l'Algérie est classée selon votre propre bilan 145e sur 180 en termes de pays de liberté de la presse qui doit Monsieur Anderson un propos complémentaire on a eu nous en janvier 2015 la rédaction de Charlie Hebdo vous savez T-News Sharp Cabus qui ont été exécutés par des terroristes islamistes je rappelle que deux policiers Franck Brinsolaro et Ahmed Merabet se sont mis en travers la route de ces terroristes lorsqu'ils ont décimé une rédaction pour leur caricature qui doit être pleinement libre dans notre pays en France et aussi dans l'Union Européenne et dont je rappelais dans une précédente intervention que notre pays était le plus touché par le terrorisme islamiste dans les 27 états-membres ensuite j'aimerais aussi avoir votre avis en France pardon c'est compliqué sur les manifestations pour les journalistes qui ont une carte de presse et qui sont en tant que tels des journalistes reconnus par la profession et par le ministère de la Culture de pouvoir suivre les manifestations parce qu'aujourd'hui tout le monde se dit Street Reporter comme ceux qui disent médecin ou soignant sur le terrain c'est compliqué pour les forces de sécurité intérieure de pouvoir savoir qui est un vrai journaliste qui est un militant qui est en fait là pour perturber et entraver le travail des vrais journalistes et des policiers et des gendarmes et qui ne fait pas honneur à la profession puisqu'ils n'en ont ni les codes ni la formation ni la légitimité puisqu'ils n'ont pas de carte de presse donc je vais avoir un point de vue sur ça et enfin effectivement je complète les propos de ma venait de s'exprimer à l'instant c'est que dans mon pays certains partis notamment l'extrême gauche veulent fermer des chaînes je ne vais pas hésiter à la citer CNews par exemple ce sont aussi des équipes rédactionnelles et de journalistes qui sont souvent prêts à partir sur le terrain comme BFMTV lorsqu'il y a eu le rassemblement pour le maire de Saint-Denis Balibaga Yoko et dont la société des journalistes de BFMTV a apporté leur soutien et là aussi je voudrais avoir votre position parce que c'est important que tous les journalistes en tant que tels avec une carte de presse soient respectés dans leur droit d'informer la population est-ce que c'est à ce stade qu'Isabelle souhaite prendre la parole ou on fait encore un tour allez-y.

Vallet: Merci Monsieur le Président. Merci messieurs et mesdames pour vos interventions. J'ai une interpellation plus précise sur la Majerczak. J'espérais pas écorcher votre nom de famille. Au nom de Reporters sans frontières, je pense que vous l'avez oublié, mais que vous le soutenez. Je voudrais penser à notre compatriote français Christophe Deloire, qui est un journaliste français détenu en Algérie depuis presque 1 year. Sa famille aujourd'hui renonce au pourvoi en cassation afin d'obtenir de monsieur Tebboune, le président algérien, la remise totale de la peine et qu'il rentre à la maison avant la Coupe du monde. Je reprends les paroles aujourd'hui, 10 years après. Je salue les Reporters sans frontières qui depuis le début soutiennent ce compatriote qui n'a pas la chance pour l'instant, comme Boualem Sansal, d'être libéré.

Vallet: Je rappelle que l'Algérie est classée, selon votre propre bilan, 145th sur 180 en termes de pays de liberté de la presse, ce qui doit aussi nous inquiéter. J'ai aussi, pour Mr. Anderson, un propos complémentaire. On a eu, nous, en January 2015, la rédaction de Charlie Hebdo, vous savez, Tignous, Charb, Cabu, qui ont été exécutés par des Islamist terrorists. Je rappelle que 2 Police Officers, Franck Brinsolaro et Ahmed Merabet, se sont mis en travers la route de ces terrorists lorsqu'ils ont décimé une rédaction pour leurs caricatures, qui doit être pleinement libre dans notre pays, en France et aussi dans l'European Union. Je rappelais dans une précédente intervention que notre pays était le plus touché par le Islamist terrorism dans les 27 Member States. J'aimerais aussi avoir votre avis.

Vallet: En France, pardon, c'est compliqué sur les manifestations pour les journalistes qui ont une carte de presse et qui sont en tant que tels des journalistes reconnus par la profession et par le ministère de la Culture de pouvoir suivre les manifestations. Aujourd'hui, tout le monde se dit street reporter comme ceux qui disent médecin ou soignant sur le terrain. C'est compliqué pour les forces de sécurité intérieure de pouvoir savoir qui est un vrai journaliste, qui est un militant qui est en fait là pour perturber et entraver le travail des vrais journalistes et des policiers, des gendarmes et qui ne fait pas honneur à la profession puisqu'ils en ont ni les codes, ni la formation, ni la légitimité puisqu'ils n'ont pas de carte de presse. Je voudrais avoir votre point de vue sur ça.

Vallet: Enfin, effectivement, je complète les propos de ma collègue Marta, qui venait de s'exprimer à l'instant, c'est que dans mon pays, certains partis, notamment l'extrême gauche, veulent fermer des chaînes. Je vais pas hésiter à la citer, CNews par exemple. Ce sont aussi des équipes rédactionnelles et de journalistes qui sont souvent prêts à partir sur le terrain, comme BFMTV lorsqu'il y a eu le rassemblement pour le Maire de Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko, et dont la société des journalistes de BFMTV a apporté leur soutien. Là aussi, il faudra avoir votre position parce que c'est important que tous les journalistes, en tant que tels avec une carte de presse, soient respectés dans leur droit d'informer la population.

Mounir Satouri: Est-ce que c'est à ce stade qu'Isabelle souhaite prendre la parole ou on fait encore un tour? Allez-y. 2 minutes.

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Merci beaucoup. Je suis vraiment désolée de ne pas avoir pu être là depuis le début. Surtout avec la situation si compliquée en fait pour le journalisme aujourd'hui. Je lis toujours, je ne parle jamais de la liberté de la presse sans parler de l'importance que la liberté de la presse a pour une presse indépendante, pour la démocratie et donc du rôle extrêmement important qui est joué. Puis des dangers qu'il y a bien sûr pour les journaux, les journalistes depuis toujours, mais aujourd'hui particulièrement donc, pour faire leur travail, le danger qu'ils encourent. Je pense au nombre de journalistes qui effectivement meurent en, pour faire leur travail. C'est quelque chose de très important et qu'on ne dit jamais assez souvent. Quand on a cette journée mondiale, je trouve que c'est important de le relever.

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Je pense que ça n'a pas été largement abordé jusque-là. Il y a aussi ce danger qui me préoccupe beaucoup de l'Internet tel qu'il est aujourd'hui et de tous les dangers qu'il comporte pour le journalisme, que ce soit de la perte de crédibilité parce que il y a tout ce qui n'est pas juste et qui circule et qui est assimilé à du travail de journaliste alors que ce n'est pas du tout le cas. Aussi du fait que il y a vraiment un problème aussi de survie du journalisme d'un point de vue financier. Le fait que le travail n'est pas rémunéré et je me permets presque de dire entre guillemets volé sur Internet et qui donc fait en sorte que les problèmes sont des problèmes majeurs et qui sont mondiaux.

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Ce n'est pas limité à un continent ou à un autre. Peut-être que vous pourriez encore évoquer cet aspect-là. En tout cas, un tout grand merci pour tout ce que vous faites. Merci.

Mounir Satouri: Merci Isabelle. Monsieur Kamiński pour le groupe ECR.

Kamiński: Szanowni Państwo, cieszę się, że przy okazji Dnia Wolności Prasy mówimy o represjonowanych dziennikarzach. Tu padła liczba ponad 400 osób wykonujących ten szlachetny zawód, który przebywają aktualnie w więzieniach w różnych państwach świata. Bardzo cieszę się, że padło tu nazwisko Jimmy Lai, skazanego ostatnio na 20 lat więzienia. Ta osoba ma 78 lat, więc jest to de facto wyrok dożywotniego więzienia. To są sprawy, które powinny stanowić priorytet w działaniach. Ci ludzie żyją, są aktualnie przez różne reżimy przetrzymywani w więzieniach i naszym obowiązkiem jest walka o ich uwolnienie. Niestety nie padło w Państwa wypowiedziach nazwa jednego państwa, Białoruś. Tam, mimo pewnych działań amnestyjnych, w dalszym ciągu dziennikarze przebywają w więzieniach. Ja wspomnę tylko nazwisko Dzianis Ivashyn, który odbywa wyrok 13 lat więzienia za napisanie artykułu dotyczącego osób związanych z białoruskim aparatem represji.

Kamiński: To są sprawy niesłychanie ważne, które powinny być traktowane priorytetowo. Jeszcze jeden jest aspekt i to moje pytanie do pani Bogusławskiej, do Europejskiej Służby Działań Zewnętrznych o wsparcie dla niezależnych mediów tworzonych często, tak jak na przykład w wypadku Białorusi, poza granicami tego państwa, bo tam nie ma warunków do pracy wolnych mediów. Wsparcie finansowe, jakie Komisja udziela tym mediom, ono nie jest specjalnie bogate, ale jest. Natomiast nie trafia bezpośrednio do niezależnych mediów, ale do organizacji pośredniczących. To powoduje, że te organizacje, kierując się swoimi kryteriami, subiektywnymi często, nie przekazują tych środków do wszystkich istotnych mediów, organizowanych przez niezależnych dziennikarzy białoruskich. Część poważnych mediów, takich jak Radio Racja, jak portal Karta 97, nigdy nie otrzymało żadnej pomocy europejskiej na funkcjonowanie.

Kamiński: Także bardzo bym prosił o przyjrzenie się temu i o to, żeby te stosunkowo niewielkie środki, jak na skalę potrzeb, które Komisja Europejska przekazuje niezależnym mediom, no były dystrybuowane w sposób racjonalny i w pełni wiarygodny. Dziękuję.

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Thank you very much, Chair. I would like to start by thanking all of the panelists who spoke today and to highlight that I fully agree with everything that was said by the 2 representatives of Reporters Without Borders and Cartoonists Rights, because you really touched upon all very different, but all very serious challenges that journalists face nowadays. Particularly, I think it's important to highlight what was said that more than 200 journalists have been targeted and murdered by the Israeli army in the past 2 years of the genocide. I thank you for also naming this letter that you're working on for the access of journalists to Gaza, I'll very gladly after the meeting, come and sign it if I haven't already. It doesn't end there.

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Unfortunately, it really is a trend that we see a bit all over the world. Thank you also for bringing up the repression of free media and of entertainers by the Trump administration, which has huge repercussions on democracy and how that democracy is able to function and how much that then affects the rest of the world, of course, as well as, for example, the wave of misinformation and disinformation that threatens our democracies. Here I would, of course, leave it mostly to our colleagues in the LIBE Committee and in the CULT Committee to really describe the situation that journalism is in the European Union. It goes without saying that it is also extremely problematic, and there is a lot of work to do at home aside from the work we want to do abroad, obviously.

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Finally, to highlight that this is a human rights issue, not just for the journalists themselves, because they put their freedom at risk, because they subject themselves to violence, to threats, to jail time, to even death sometimes, but also to citizens of the world anywhere because they lose their rights to independent information. Only with credible information, you're able to hold your governments accountable or large institutions accountable. Without that, you can't. Really to highlight this, and I guess in line of questions, I would just like to ask you, how do you assess the efforts of the European Union at the moment to protect journalists around the world?

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Are there 2 or 3 key points that you'd like to leave us parliamentarians with, to keep in mind in our future discussions with members of other countries, in our urgency resolutions, in our motions, in everything, in our work? What are 2 or 3 key topics that you'd like us to keep attention to? Thank you.

Mounir Satouri: Très bien. Il y a 2 collègues, monsieur Tarquinio et madame Ridel, qui sont présents, qui n'ont pas pris la parole. S'ils le souhaitent, c'est 1 minute chacun pour que les panélistes aient le temps de répondre. Monsieur Tarquinio, allez-y.

Tarquinio: Merci, monsieur le Président. Grazie. Grazie per le relazioni che abbiamo ascoltato, ma anche per il filo rosso che lega in qualche modo anche questa mattinata di lavoro. Parto citando un caso, quello del Nicaragua. È un anno esatto da quando l'Unione dei giornalisti di quel paese è stata sciolta dall'autocrazia Ortega-Murillo regime e oltre 250 giornalisti vivono in esilio da quel paese, alcuni privati anche della cittadinanza. Tutto si tiene nei nostri ragionamenti e questo è importante. Oggi soltanto l'1% della popolazione mondiale vive in paesi dove la stampa è davvero libera. Mi vengono in mente i nomi dei colleghi giornalisti tunisini, i nomi di colleghi giornalisti palestinesi. Gaza è stata evocata. Secondo un rapporto dei Reporter Senza Frontiere, sono molti ufficialmente i giornalisti morti. Noi sappiamo che sono anche di più di quelli registrati come giornalisti formalmente.

Tarquinio: Loro è arrivato a calcolare 250 informatori, cronisti ammazzati. Questo è il punto. Ci sono le loro famiglie. Per questo, insieme a due colleghi, a Sandro Ruotolo e Anna Jalul, ho presentato nei mesi scorsi una proposta per rilanciare a livello globale quello che è l'MFRR in Europa, la risposta rapida per la libertà di stampa. Noi in Europa siamo dotati di un meccanismo di questo tipo. Servirebbe anche a livello globale per sostenere le famiglie dei giornalisti perseguitati e in condizioni di difficoltà estrema. Grazie.

Ridel: Oui, merci beaucoup aux intervenants qui nous dépeignent une situation qui est très préoccupante. Je voudrais d'abord rebondir sur le rapport qui vient d'être publié par Reporters sans frontières et qui pointe un niveau le plus bas de la liberté de la presse depuis 25 ans, avec moins de 1% de la population mondiale aujourd'hui qui vit dans un pays où la presse est réellement libre.

Ridel: C'est un chiffre qui est vertigineux, qui doit nous pousser à réagir très fortement au niveau européen, parce que le pluralisme et la liberté de la presse, ce sont les valeurs que nous devons défendre. C'est une question de démocratie et de liberté. Aujourd'hui, les journalistes sont menacés par la concentration de la propriété des médias, ça, c'est vrai, mais aussi par le fait qu'ils sont pointés, intimidés en tant que tels pour faire leur travail. C'est particulièrement vrai dans les zones de conflits. Rien qu'en 2025, il y a 93 journalistes qui ont été tués, dont 60 dans des zones de conflits. À Gaza, évidemment, 220 journalistes tués depuis 2023. C'est 2/3 des journalistes tués dans l'ensemble du monde. Nous devons élever notre voix pour protéger les journalistes qui protègent l'information et la vérité. Merci.

Mounir Satouri: Isabelle, tu voulais redire un petit mot ? Non ? J'ai bien compris.

[Member of the European Parliament] (European Parliament): Je peux peut-être simplement, pour avoir quand même au moins une des deux notes positives, le fait que le prix Sakharov, Andrius Poskyus, de Belarus, ait été libéré quand même quelque chose de très positif et qui nous permet de penser que nos actions peuvent parfois aussi aboutir, même si il faut se rendre à l'évidence que Mzia Amaglobeli est encore, elle, en prison. Quand même. Parfois, il faut se dire qu'il y a des choses qu'on arrive à faire et avoir une note positive. Merci beaucoup.

Mounir Satouri: Très bien. Retour aux panélistes. Vous allez devoir répondre à toutes les questions à un temps record et avec une efficacité que vous pouvez réaliser. Allez-y. 3 minutes max chacun dans l'ordre de tout à l'heure. Oui, commencez.

Julie Majerczak: Oui. J'avais déjà eu du mal en 6 minutes à faire ma présentation, donc je vais essayer d'aller vite. Sur l'UE, évidemment, l'UE doit être enfin les pays européens, l'UE, les démocraties européennes doivent être exemplaires. Je n'en ai pas parlé parce qu'effectivement, le sujet, c'était la liberté de la presse dans le monde. Donc déjà, je n'avais pas eu le temps d'aller assez vite. L'EMFA, le European Media Freedom Act, est en application depuis août. Beaucoup de pays n'ont pas encore mis à niveau leur législation. C'est évidemment une priorité que doivent se donner les États membres et la Commission qui doit absolument surveiller cette mise en œuvre et lancer des procédures d'infraction si besoin. Sinon, sur les dangers d'Internet.

Julie Majerczak: Oui, ça fait partie des choses à RSF qu'on ne cesse de rappeler que la désinformation décrédibilise toute l'information, y compris l'information journalistique, car tout est mélangé et que c'est le but même de la désinformation. Ce n'est pas forcément qu'on croive dans cette désinformation, mais c'est qu'on ne croive plus en rien. L'autre problème, c'est effectivement le fait que les plateformes ont accaparé 80% des financements par la publicité qui allait auparavant aux médias. Il y a véritablement un problème. Sans parler en plus de l'intelligence artificielle générative qui nous rend encore plus compliqué la capacité de distinguer le vrai du faux. Il y a un énorme chantier à poursuivre parce que la législation européenne, que ce soit le DSA ou que ce soit AI Act, à mon avis, ne sont pas suffisants. Que dire d'autre ? Sur des idées pour des résolutions d'urgence.

Julie Majerczak: Déjà, je pense qu'effectivement, comme vous l'avez dit, il y a beaucoup de choses qui sont préoccupantes. Sinon, je ne serais pas RSF. Il faut continuer à se battre. Les résolutions d'urgence du Parlement, on n'a peut-être pas toujours l'impression que ça a un effet, parce que les gouvernements n'aiment pas avoir l'impression d'être mis sous pression, mais comme par hasard, parfois, il y a des évolutions positives qui arrivent après. Donc oui, je vous invite à continuer. Je pense que, par exemple, la Serbie est un pays qui nous préoccupe énormément et sur lequel l'Union européenne doit vraiment agir de manière plus ferme. La Géorgie, Gaza. Gaza, quand même, moi, je comprends toujours pas comment cet accord d'association avec Israël est toujours en place alors qu'il y a une clause sur les droits humains qui dit qu'il faut suspendre quand il y a des violations flagrantes.

Julie Majerczak: Si à Gaza, il n'y a pas de violations flagrantes par l'armée israélienne, je me demande quand est-ce qu'on va appliquer cette suspension, cette clause droits de l'homme. Du coup, je m'arrête là.

Mounir Satouri: Monsieur Anderson, 3 minutes.

Terry Anderson: Thank you. Mention has already been made of Safaa Odah. If you'll permit me, I just want to return to her case before I leave you today. Earlier this week, she was the winner of the Kofi Annan Courage in Cartooning Award presented by the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation in Geneva. As the chair mentioned, she has been languishing in a tent in the Khan Younis refugee camp, along with her sister, despite a promise for relocation to France through the PAUSE program. I would encourage everyone within the sound of my voice to use every sinew available to you to make sure that that promise is kept to both those women. She wasn't the only winner. The other laureate was Jimmy Spire Ssentongo from Uganda.

Terry Anderson: Again, a cartoonist harassed for many years by parliamentarians and that is reflected in the anxiety and the fear that we see reported to us by the cartoonists with whom we correspond. The in the past decade, the primary fear is no longer the threat of extremism or terrorism; it is criminalization and harassment from the state itself. When it comes to cases within the EU itself, I think that whatever action can be taken against SLAPPs, as have already been mentioned today, these kind of lawsuits that are perhaps not even intended or mounted with victory in mind, but to harass, to cause anxiety, to consume time and resources and effectively discourage the cartoonist.

Terry Anderson: I think of Cristina Sampaio in Portugal, sued over a cartoon that was broadcast on public TV by the police unions, for example, or Mario Natangelo in Italy, sued for definition by the sister of the prime minister, despite the fact that he had already been cleared of any wrongdoing by the regulatory press authority. A case that didn't actually have much merit, but was pursued anyway with the intention of harassment. To the lady in the center of the room, there are 21 concrete recommendations about the internet in the report that you can collect from the door, so I won't go over them all here.

Terry Anderson: To echo what's just been said, the Commission should include monitoring and reporting of cartoonist situation and emergency responses included at EU delegation levels, ensure that cartoonists are beneficiaries to the same schemes and measures that apply to cartoonists. There was language like that in the July 2023 resolution for the protection of journalists in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter, so I encourage you to bear that in mind. Our work is affected by DSA implementation with regard to moderation, algorithm transparency, and harmful or illegal behavior, abuse, et cetera, online. Going forward, any new legislation on generative AI must be closely monitored and regulated.

Terry Anderson: It represents not only an existential threat to all creative professions, but constitutes an unprecedented assault on the very notions of expertise and veracity, and in fact, has been devised in very large part by individuals whose beliefs are at odds with human rights. Thank you.

Elena Boguslavska: Thank you very much. I would like to address 2 specific questions that were asked by the honorable members. Marta Temido mentioned the Eritrea case. This is one of the files on which the European Union has a long-standing leadership in multilateral fora. We have this regular resolution in the Human Rights Council that provides the mandate of the Special Rapporteur who monitors the situation in Eritrea. As long as there is no positive evolution, and we have not observed this is something that we repeat every year, and we provide the opportunity also for the Special Rapporteur to provide his own reports and speak to the UN membership.

Elena Boguslavska: This is also the resolution that should be normally coming up in June this year. On the issue of Belarus, and thank you very much for raising this, we have at this very moment, actually, I'm pleased to say that there is an open call for proposals for support specifically for journalists from Belarus, Russia, and also those journalists who have been relocated from Ukraine that is open by my colleagues from the European Commission to provide the independent and free information to audiences in their languages. It's open until 28 May, and it's EUR 3 million. It's of course, on top of previous projects that have been rolled out in previous years.

Elena Boguslavska: Specifically for Belarus, I think since 2020, there has been over EUR 200 million for Belarusian civil society, human rights defenders, independent journalism that was dispatched. My own experience in talking to the Belarusian and Russian journalists is that indeed, often these are not necessarily huge amounts of money that we are able to provide as the European Union, but these are often, as you have said, relatively small outlets and what is really impressive that with relatively small means that reach huge audiences in Russia and Belarus, often the readership and the audiences of the broadcast that they are able to provide is actually much bigger than those of many big media outlets in the European Union.

Elena Boguslavska: This is really multiplying effect with the relatively small amounts sometimes that we are able to provide to those media. Thank you very much.

Mounir Satouri: Merci. Bon, juste deux mots. D'abord, tout ce qui est vrai et nécessaire pour les journalistes l'est pour les caricaturistes de presse, qui jouent aussi un rôle important en termes d'information. Deuxièmement, il faut qu'on continue à nous mobiliser pour soutenir la liberté de la presse. C'est un baromètre de la démocratie. Ça doit devenir un baromètre qui définit les relations de l'Union européenne avec les États tiers. Ensuite, soutenir la liberté de la presse dans le monde passe aussi par la question financière, et je nous invite à nous, parlementaires, à être vigilants dans les discussions qu'on a par rapport au MFF pour faire en sorte que cette thématique reste une thématique prioritaire, parce qu'on a besoin plus que jamais des financements européens pour garantir un minimum la survie de la presse indépendante à travers le monde. Merci beaucoup, chers collègues. Je lève la séance.

Terry Anderson: On reprend à 3:00PM pour la suite de nos travaux.

Elena Boguslavska: À huit clos.

Mounir Satouri: À huis clos, à 15:00, dans une autre salle. Regardez bien les messages que vous allez recevoir et je compte sur vous. Tout à l'heure. D'ici là, bon appétit.

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