Evin Incir
Member of the European Parliament · S&D · SE
“Mr President, while Israel continues with oppression and occupation, generations of Palestinians are paying the price. Yet every time until now, our European Union has failed to act properly. Too many in this House, especially in the centre-right and the far-right side, chose to see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.”
“Let me remind you: it has already done that. Can we start acting now and suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement? Commissioner, with all due respect, I don't know what steps you mean the Israeli Government has taken. The only steps I have seen until now are steps into other countries. 3-0233-0000”
“Mr President, Erdoğan's latest attacks on the CHP are another sign of Turkey's accelerating democratic backsliding. For years, journalists, opposition politicians, human rights defenders and civil society activists have been literally persecuted. While this trend did not begin with Erdoğan, it has intensified dramatically under his rule.”
“Turkiet som muslimskt land kommer aldrig att uppfylla Köpenhamnskriterierna, och då är det väl bättre om Socialdemokraterna här och i Sverige bestämmer sig för att avsluta den här medlemskapsprocessen – det är ingen idé att fortsätta den – och istället göra som Sverigedemokraterna, rösta för att avsluta det hela?”
“– Thank you very much, I only have a small question. Today, we all agree that Türkiye is not on the right way. However, there is a very important part of Turkish society that is really inclined to European values and they try to do something about it. What is your standpoint and opinion?”
“Uma posição que faz de conta que essa agressão não desestabilizou todo o Médio Oriente; que faz de conta que não foi essa agressão que levou, em todo o mundo, ao aumento do custo de vida, particularmente ao aumento dos preços da energia e dos combustíveis; que faz de conta que a abertura do estreito de Ormuz é uma novidade, como se não se…”
The complete record
Every one of 148 lines we hold for Evin Incir, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 3.
“How is that going to ensure that Ukraine will be in a position of strength? Because a position of strength is important to ensure that Putin is forced to the negotiating table and to ensure that Ukraine wins, that we win. 1-0132-0000”
“Madam President, Putin's tyranny can only be brought to an end through EU unity and decisive actions. The continued import of coal and oil by some Member States directly enables Putin's war efforts, filling his war machine and enabling him to escalate missiles and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians, as he has done over the last months. It is good to condemn, but more important to act. We must support Ukraine with all available means to ensure that they not only withstand the war, but win the war. This support must be comprehensive: sanctions, military aid, humanitarian assistance, macroeconomic support – there can't be any limits to our support. However, right now, EU Member States are pumping more money into Putin's war machine than support to Ukraine.”
“What about political opponents? What about activists, lawyers, ordinary citizens? It is high time for bold, unwavering actions from the Commission. Accountability must be enforced and Member States must be held to strict standards. It is time to end the Big Brother society some of our Member States have turned into. 1-0082-0000”
“Mr President, sometimes I wonder if the Commission thinks we are a Mickey Mouse Parliament. Two years have passed since the Parliament's PEGA Committee issued a forceful recommendation to combat the illegal use of spyware within the EU. Yet two years on, the Commission has utterly failed to take decisive actions. It seems like we have a Mickey Mouse Commission – because it is either that or that the Commission refused to defend the people of Europe and uphold democracy, rule of law and human rights. In fact, some Member States, such as Italy and Hungary, are now in an even worse state than before: Hungary has been caught spying on EU officials and Italy on activists – clear violations of fundamental rights that remain unpunished. The European Media Freedom Act was passed, but it protects only journalists and only narrowly.”
“Yesterday's decision in the Council was a disgrace. Are you serious about evaluating the Association Agreement with Israel? The time for evaluation is long overdue. What we need to do is immediately suspend the trade agreement, allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza ASAP, impose sanctions on the entire Netanyahu Government – not single ministers – and implement an EU-wide weapons embargo. Right now, 14 000 children are at risk of starving to death within the next 24 hours. The atrocities against Palestinians are among the worst since the Second World War. The EU must act swiftly and decisively. Free Palestine. 1-0066-0000”
“Madam President, genocide, ethnic cleansing, annexation and war crimes are the actions currently inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the Israeli far-right Government. The goal of Netanyahu's criminal regime is clear: to completely destroy Gaza so that the Palestinian population is forced to leave. These are actually the words even coming from Minister Smotrich. I find no better summary than what Yair Golan, the leader of my sister party, Israel's Democrats Party, recently said: 'a sane country doesn't engage in fighting civilians, doesn't kill babies as a hobby, and doesn't set as its goal the expulsion of an entire population.' Colleagues, silence in the face of such crimes is complicity. The EU is already on the wrong side of history. The question is, are we going to continue down this dangerous path?”
“Wszystko, co ukradli, spisali i wywieźli w ponad tysiącu wagonów. Wszystko wiemy – wiemy, dokąd te rzeczy pojechały, do których miast niemieckich. I pytanie: czy Pani uważa, że Niemcy powinni te rzeczy zwrócić albo przynajmniej zapłacić odszkodowanie za spalenie, zburzenie i okradzenie miasta Jasła? 4-0078-0000 Evin Incir (S&D), blue-card answer. – I think it's very clear that, as I said, Nazism is pure evil. The ideology that put Europe into the atrocities of the Second World War, of course, is pure evil. And we need to ensure that those who put us in that position can never, ever put us in the same path. One important action is, therefore, to draw the lessons of history, and ensure that whatever Germany can do to pay back for the atrocities that took place back then also is being done. 4-0079-0000”
“In our European society today, we are once again witnessing this rise of political forces that set people against people. Colleagues, do not forget that EU was built to ensure that 'never again' means 'never again'. Let's ensure that 'never again' is transferred into words every day, with every action that we take. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 4-0077-0000 Bogdan Rzońca (ECR), pytanie zadane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Bardzo uważnie słuchałem Pani wypowiedzi. Chciałem w ciągu 20 sekund opowiedzieć Pani pewną historię i na końcu zadam pytanie. Jest 1944 rok. Jasło, moje miasto, w którym mieszkam, jest pod okupacją niemiecką. Walter Gentz, starosta niemiecki, wydaje rozkaz: wysiedlić kilkanaście tysięcy ludzi. Drugi rozkaz: zaminować całe Jasło. Trzeci rozkaz: okraść całe Jasło.”
“Mr President, colleagues, today, 8 May, is the time to commemorate. This is a time to remember, but also a moment to reflect on the lessons – the evil the Second World War emerged from. And it is a time to warn against the far-right ideologies that once drove our continent to the edge of complete self-destruction. The same ideology that, unfortunately, is embraced by some – even here in this Parliament, in Europe in 2025. The generations that survived the Second World War, those who knew the very essence of 'never again', understood that the tragedy of the 20th century did not begin with bombs or bullets. It began with words, with rising intolerance, and it continued to mass killing of men, women and children by the thousands, by the millions.”
“In this very delicate situation, it is crucial that the Commission and the whole EU stands behind Joakim and demands that he be allowed to return home immediately. He is a Swedish citizen and, therefore, also a European citizen. It is our duty to defend all our journalists and all our citizens. Joakim's case is also a matter of every journalist's rights to operate freely, beyond oppression and beyond fear. 2-0493-0000”
“Mr President, 'journalism is not a crime, not in any country'. These are the words of the Swedish journalist Joakim Medin from the notorious high-security prison, Silivri, in Türkiye. Joakim must be allowed to return home to his freedom, to his Sofie and their awaiting child immediately. Since 28 March, he has been detained in Türkiye. The allegations of insulting President Erdoğan and membership in a terrorist organisation are baseless and lack evidence. So far, the Swedish government has not succeeded in influencing the situation through diplomatic efforts. The Foreign Minister took time to contact her Turkish counterpart and, as far as we know, the Prime Minister has not lifted the phone to reach out to his.”
“To withhold funding or to echo false narratives promoted by the Netanyahu regime would punish innocent people of Palestine and will only serve as supportive actions for Hamas. The EU must stand with those building a better future in Palestine, not with those defending the Netanyahu regime, which is accused of mass killings, genocide and use of starvation as a weapon of war. 2-0314-0000”
“Mr President, in the face of the devastating Israeli warfare and a suffocating humanitarian blockade, the people of Gaza, especially its children, are being killed in tens of thousands and denied their most basic rights, including humanitarian aid, healthcare and education. At such a moment, our support for UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority must not waver. Following the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks, the Commission reviewed all financial assistance to Palestine, including UNRWA, and confirmed its compliance with the legal guarantees under the pillar assessment and the contribution agreement. I wish the same was also done for Israel, who right now commits atrocities we could never imagine in 2025.”
“The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza calls for immediate and long-term engagement. Once a political agreement for reconstruction is in place, we must be ready with a robust, predictable financial instrument dedicated to Gazans and the whole Palestinian people. 2-0246-0000”
“Mr President, colleagues, Commissioner, EU's budget for a changing world requires EU's courage for a better world. International institutions and civil society organisations are essential for a better world – the ideas that have influenced us since after the Second World War. But we see how forces influenced by the ideology of the Second World War have grown and are now, in budget after budget, trying to cut support to civil society organisations and attacks important international organisations as UNRWA. There must not be any under-funding of EU external action, particularly in crisis-affected regions like the Middle East. It would be shameful and a failure towards the people of Gaza that right now already suffers because of the Israeli far-right government.”
“We must strengthen our relationship with other like-minded countries: Ukraine, Australia, Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, Mexico and many, many others. Through unity, we will ensure that today's craziness will also soon pass, and openness, cooperation and freedom will prevail. 2-0081-0000”
“Mr President, to US President Trump: you are a loser. Because there are no winners in this trade war; it drives up prices, destroys jobs, stifles growth and hits the most vulnerable the hardest. It affects everyday people the hardest; Trump's heavy tariffs are disturbing supply chains and, in a few weeks, shelves in the US could be empty. And it polarises a world that already is facing many challenges with, among other things, Russia's unlawful attack on Ukraine. Trade barriers should be dismantled, not built. As the United States retreats from the global stage, turning its back on the very order it helped build after the Second World War, Europe must step up. We need an open world beyond Trump's ideology and the ideology of his extreme right-wing puppets in the EU. We need politics for the many, we need politics for the people.”
“Those who misuse public funds and target our anti‑corruption agencies also attempt to demonise the cornerstone of democracy: civil society. A vibrant civil society is a vital pillar of healthy democracies, which explains why Orbán is attacking it. Let us also not forget the baseless allegations against important international organisations like UNWRA. Democracy is currently in jeopardy. 1-0140-0000”
“Mr President, every misuse of taxpayers' money is essentially theft. Viktor Orbán, the leader of the far right in Europe, is one of the biggest ones. The European Commission is currently withholding … So are the colleagues going to be silent or am I allowed to continue? (The President asked for silence in the room) Every misuse of taxpayers' money is essentially theft. Viktor Orbán, the leader of the far right in Europe, is one of the biggest ones. The European Commission is currently withholding many billions in EU funds from Hungary due to rule of law and corruption concerns. This is corruption. Anti‑democrats remain anti‑democrats. Transparency and accountability are their greatest enemies. Their shamelessness knows no bounds, even extending to spying on investigators from the EU Anti‑Fraud Office, OLAF.”
“Madam President, on behalf of the S&D Group, I urge you to condemn this unlawful decision made by the far‑right government in Israel and do that on behalf of the whole European Parliament, recognise it as a breach of international law, and also acknowledge that it is time to terminate the EU‑Israel Association Agreement. For how much longer will the Union remain complicit in these war crimes that are taking place? 1-0052-0000”
“Madam President, today the far‑right Israeli Government shamelessly approved a plan to unlawfully seize full control over Gaza and escalate its brutal assault on the civilian population. Since 7 October 2023, over 50 000 people have been killed. While the Israeli Government violates international law day after day, the EU keeps staying silent. We are supposed to prevent historical atrocities from happening again. These atrocities must also include those happening against the Palestinians. International law is not cherry‑picking. The European Union's passivity reflects a profound moral failure and is damaging the Union's reputation on the global stage.”
“The steps taken in recent years, like building memorial sites in cities such as Diyarbakır, must continue. Let us ensure the truth prevails and justice, however delayed, is never silenced. The genocide must be recognised everywhere and by everyone. 4-0097-0000”
“Mr President, one hundred and ten years have passed since one of the darkest chapters in human history – a genocide that killed and deported millions, with people mass murdered and families destroyed. One of those families was my own great‑grandfather's. Many survivors were scattered across the Middle East, Europe and the world, carrying a grief that has pierced through generations. This is not a distant memory. It is a wound still felt today. Yet even now, nationalistic and autocratic forces, most notably in Turkey, seek to deny this truth. Denials do not erase history; it deepens the pain. We will never forget the Armenian Genocide and we will commemorate its victims each year in this Parliament. There is still much work to do on memory and reconciliation.”
“This is something we have asked for over two years now, and I know that sometimes there are challenges, but I think also if there is a will, there is a way. 3-0490-0000 Interventions à la demande 3-0491-0000”
“Mr President, since the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi, Women, Life, Freedom uprising in 2022, the regime has escalated its repression. Iran now holds the highest per capita executions rate globally. While the Iranian regime aims to install fear through its policies, it has only galvanised the resolve of those advocating for equality and fundamental rights. We have as a responsibility as the EU to support these brave individuals and to take actions. The EU must unite to secure the release of all political prisoners. Our EU citizens deserve to return home. And every and each Iranian deserves the right to live in democracy, freedom and equality. As this brutal regime continues its violence and the EU does only the bare minimum. Commissioner, when will the EU classify the IRGC as a terrorist organisation?”
“Madam President, I am an unwavering ally of the LGBTIQ community. LGBTIQ rights are human rights, but what I am not is an ally to those who cling to regressive ideologies, such as Viktor Orbán and his ilk, who embody a medieval mentality that seeks to fight progress. Those of you in here that support him, you should be ashamed. The recent legislation aimed at banning Budapest Pride and all public LGBTIQ events is nothing less than an assault on fundamental human rights. It is a deliberate act to silence voices that demand dignity and respect and to install a culture of fear in the heart of those who dare to love and be themselves. The right to love, to express oneself and to assemble freely are not mere privileges granted by the state. They are non-negotiable freedoms etched into every fabric of our humanity.”
“There should be no doubt that we stand ready to defend free, independent and democratic media. When the US abandons this vital institution, then Europe must take responsibility, because the fight for press freedom is a fight for democracy. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 2-0458-0000 Fidias Panayiotou (NI), blue-card question. – My question is, where do you draw the line between misinformation and truth? Thank you, I love you! 2-0459-0000 Evin Incir (S&D), blue-card answer. – Well, I think most everyday people know that blue is blue, red is red, yellow is yellow, so it should be very, very clear what is misinformation and disinformation. And in the end also this discussion is about Radio Free Europe and the protection of journalism. And journalism is the ground foundation of strong democracies.”
“Mr President, Trump has made it clear that he doesn't care about free and independent media. I'm not surprised that there are people in here that are making themselves his useful idiots, but I'm ashamed. In an era of disinformation, hybrid warfare and democratic backsliding, the protection of independent media is not just important, it is one of the last lines of defence against authoritarianism. Truth is under attack by the far right and authoritarian regimes that seek to spread their false and dangerous narratives, to polarise, to silence, to dissent and to destroy public trust. Without independent journalism, citizens cannot make informed decisions about their future and their leaders. The EU and all our Member States should be ready and must be ready to step in to secure the future of Radio Free Europe.”
“We must build a firewall against them. To the EPP Group here in the European Parliament and across the EU: yes, I'm talking to you. Wake up. Join the right side of history and stop bending for these forces. 2-0255-0000”
“Madam President, democracy must be defended and developed always, all the time. In the past 25 years, we have witnessed the trend towards autocratisation, to the point where seven out of ten persons globally now live in undemocratic countries. It is a global crisis we are talking about. It often starts with a with hate speech and attack on freedom of speech. We see this trend all across the world, including in the US, in the EU, and even in my own country, Sweden, we can see how hate speech from representatives from some political parties has increased. These undemocratic forces wear different masks, but their ideological roots are the same – same-same, different names. What is even more concerning are those who compromise with these forces, normalising them and becoming dependent on them. Undemocratic forces should not be tolerated.”
“But I cannot understand why any group would oppose it. I can understand that the far right do not care about democracy, but it is a shame that the EPP is opposing this ethic body. For those who value democracy, transparency should be a fundamental principle. Let's put an end to impunity! 1-0200-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, I am ashamed of the corruption scandals after corruption scandals. Robust institutions and clear regulations are essential for maintaining strong democracies. At the heart of that is transparency, which ensures credibility and accountability. A troubling example is the President of the Commission's ongoing refusal to disclose her text messages with the CEO of a pharmaceutical company regarding the COVID-19 vaccine purchases. It is therefore perplexing that the Commission withdrew the regulation on public access to documents without offering an alternative. Additionally, the recent corruption scandals involving Huawei is a direct assault on democracy and a disrespect to European voters. This underscored the urgent need for the ethic body that we Social Democrats and other groups have been advocating for.”
“The only correct answer is that you are doing an exercise in homophobia and an attempt to deprive children of their parents. Commissioner, the worst part, I must say, is that, at a time when we need to strengthen protection against far-right hate, the Commission has chosen to withdraw the proposal for the EU anti-discrimination directive – I must say that that is very disappointing. But now let us ensure we can adopt a piece of legislation that would let families be families, regardless of where they move in our Union. 3-0350-0000”
“Madam President, the question of whether we should adopt the parenthood regulation to ensure the families can stay together, no matter where they choose to live in our Union, shouldn't even be up for debate. This should have been approved a long time ago – yesterday, a week ago, a month ago, a year ago, two years ago. Let's clarify this: we have the freedom of movement for goods, services, capital and people in the EU. Article 21 of the EU Treaty states, 'Every citizen of the Union shall have the right to move and reside freely within the territory of all the Member States'. Similarly, Article 45 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights affirms, 'Every citizen of the Union has the right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States'. So what is the far right doing here today?”
“The future of global security, of course, depends on our strength, but it also depends on our cooperation with states with shared values and interests. 2-0442-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, it is crucial that we cultivate strength. Recent global events, from the aggression of the dictator Putin to Trump's approach in the US, remind us of the urgent need for unity within the EU. It is astonishing to find ourselves discussing the impact of both Putin and a US President in the same breath, but a fact is a fact. For the sake of future generations, we must invest in our industries, in our defence, in infrastructure and cybersecurity capacity, ensuring our societies are robust and resilient. Moreover, we must broaden our alliance beyond the traditional transatlantic relations. While the partnership with the US is still important, Europe should also strengthen ties with states like the UK, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, India, Japan and countries across Africa.”
“Madam President, it is absurd that a person or a state can even think the thought that it should deprive children of their fundamental right to their parent. The refusal to fully recognise parenthood across Member States is rooted in homophobia. It is not protecting children; it is actually harming children. The hatred against the LGBTI community doesn't belong in a modern society. Conservatives and the far right here in the EU: your echo that children should be deprived their fundamental right to their parents are the same words that are being said by the mullahs in Iran and by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Children have the right to be protected from the far-right hatred, not from their parents! 4-0206-0000”
“However, the future remains uncertain as we cannot realistically consider HTS a democratic force, given their history. Turkey is attacking the Kurds in the Rojava region, it is risking to put ISIS on our streets. At the same time, in Turkey, the negotiations are taking place between the Turkish Government and the PKK leader, Öcalan. For the first time in a long time, the prospects seem positive for a resolution on the Kurdish issue and for a democratic Turkey. Development in Turkey will undoubtedly impact also Syria. Where is the HR/VP? A silent voice is not a voice at all. 2-0341-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, what I should have brought with me is a sign that reads 'Missing Person: High Representative Kaja Kallas', as this is the second session we are discussing the Middle East and she has not been a part of the discussions. The Middle East is at a crossroads in many ways: Gaza is at risk of being occupied by a new force, the US under Trump. Yes, you heard me correctly: Trump's attempt to expel Palestinians from Gaza and take control is effectively replacing one occupying power, Israel, with another occupying power, the US, all while the Palestinian people are suffering, and this is a violation of international law. Meanwhile, Syria has rid itself of its brutal dictator and has a new power in place.”
“The work of the UN accountability mechanism and the UN's missing persons institution will be essential in this process and deserves all our full support. Truth and accountability are the strongest defence against renewed authoritarianism and impunity. 1-0167-0000”
“Mr President, 'Nunca más', 'never again', became the rallying slogan for justice, truth and accountability in Argentina and across Latin America in the 1980s. The transitional justice movements that followed across the world have proven a fundamental truth: no society can achieve peace without confronting the legacies of political violence and human rights violations. After 54 years of authoritarian rule and 14 years of brutal conflict, Syria remains scarred by enforced disappearance, torture and mass graves. Tens of thousands are still missing, families are left without answers, and communities are searching for closure. The European Union must remain at the forefront of transitional justice efforts in Syria.”
“These acts reaffirm the necessity to strengthen the EU rule of law mechanism and the rule of law report. Enough is enough! 2-0397-0000”
“Mr President, colleagues, the revelation of Hungary's intelligence services spying on EU officials undermines what little trust there is left between the collective EU Member States and the Hungarian regime nowadays. It constitutes yet another direct assault on our common values. This spying, including on OLAF investigators that were probing the misuse of EU funds, reflects a broader pattern in Hungary, where the erosion of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights has become systematic. From the misuse of spyware like Pegasus to laws targeting LGBTQI rights, the curbing of press freedom, the oppression of minorities, these acts of espionage on EU officials are a continuation of Hungary's transition into authoritarianism and Orbán's transition into a fully-fledged dictator.”
“Our most pressing task is to unite and strengthen the European Union, while maintaining strong partnership with like-minded globally, and of course, it also includes the US, as, for example, the Democrats. Trump was indeed democratically elected, but acts like an autocrat. 2-0296-0000”
“Mr President, a group of powerful men, tech billionaires gathering in the Capitol, taking prime seats behind the President and his family during the inauguration of the 47th president of the USA – no, it's not a scene taken off House of Cards. This is America 2025. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, implementation of protectionist policies that restricts international trade, disengagement from international organisations – we have also since long been aware of that. Women's rights, LGBTQ rights, workers rights will be jeopardised, and ordinary working people will suffer, while tech billionaires like Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos and Pichai will face lower, if not zero, taxes. With Trump now sworn in as president, it is evident that this administration adopts a vastly different stance on international cooperation than its predecessor.”
“How many times must Palestinians be forcibly displaced from their homes before the world says enough is enough? The EU must support humanitarian organisations like UNWRA and act for the lifting of the Israeli ban of the organisation. It is a shame that countries as my own, Sweden, let the Israeli far‑right government dictate our actions. And finally, colleagues, the Palestinian Authority must receive the support to be able to… (The President interrupted the speaker) 1-0067-0000”
“This is a demand echoed by Palestinian but also Israeli families with loved ones, those kept hostage by Hamas. They are all desperate for an end to this horror. They want their family members alive and home. Furthermore, the EU must also rally behind a two‑state solution through actively engaging in the international coalition for a two‑state solution and halting the expansion of violent settlements. Recent statements from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu are therefore alarming, suggesting a possible resumption of military operations. War criminals must face justice. The International Criminal Court must be allowed to operate freely and impartially. Today, 2 million Palestinians are returning to bombed areas and must urgently receive our support and not to be sent to Indonesia, as the Trump administration seems to want.”
“Mr President, for 471 days, we have witnessed the aftermath of Hamas's brutal attack on innocent Israelis. And for over 50 years, we have seen the impact of an unlawful Israeli occupation that has taken countless innocent Palestinian lives and erased entire families from existence. The numbers are staggering. Over 46 000 Palestinians and 1 200 Israelis have been murdered since 7 October 2023. Each statistic represents a life, a story, a future stolen. Those standing idly by are complicit in this suffering. While we cannot undo the vast suffering endured by the victims over the past years, we have the power today to shape a better future. Let's be clear – a ceasefire is vital and must be respected by all parties. That includes Netanyahu, who continued bombing Gaza yesterday. EU countries must implement a weapon embargo against Israel.”