Dainius Žalimas
Member of the European Parliament · Renew · LT
“Mr President, dear colleagues, international law is the foundation of peace and security. When we weaken it, we all become less secure. That is why, first, Europe should be sceptical of the so-called Board of Peace. Lasting peace depends on strong institutions and clear rules that provide legitimacy, predictability and accountability.”
“Advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice have to be respected as well. Third, the reconstruction of Gaza cannot succeed while Hamas remains an armed force. It has no role in Gaza's future. The real test is not declarations, but genuine disarmament. 3-0256-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to address the deplorable tensions between Poland and Ukraine of historical memory; and it echoes today as well. We must not fall into this trap. I would recall the example set by Lithuania and Poland in their Treaty on friendly relations and good neighbourly cooperation.”
“He also raised the issues of values, the shrinking of civic space and human rights violations with his counterparts, in a spirit of open and respectful dialogue. He is planning, by the way, to travel to Burkina Faso one last time, in a few days' time, before the end of his term of office.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, the Lukashenka regime continues to reach new lows. Today, it imprisons Belarusian children for anti-war graffiti and brands them as 'terrorists' or 'extremists'.”
“All over the world, where we see that a regime is oppressing its own people instead of serving its own people, we have to also address the people with our solidarity from the European side, because the values we represent are not only for Europe. They are universal. They are for everybody.”
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“Secondly, we must urge the EU to sanction all the accomplices of Lukashenko regime, including 110 pseudo-deputies of the so-called House of Representatives, 68 members of the so-called Council of the Republic, more than a thousand of so-called judges, prosecutors and investigators. All of them are puppets of the regime, complicit in imposing the repressive legislation and destroying lives. 2-0408-0000”
“Madam President, fear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the recent release of 14 political prisoners gives us little hope. More than 1 000, including EU citizens, still remain behind bars in Belarus. They are still subjected to systemic torture and inhuman treatment. No doubt, our line to demand the release of all political prisoners and to ensure accountability for the crimes against humanity must remain intact. In addition, first, we must call for a formal EU report on deaths of political prisoners. According to the available information, at least seven political prisoners – Shtermer, Shlettgauer, Kulinich, Lednik, Khrasko, Klimovich, Pushkin and Ashurak – died in recent years due to inhuman conditions.”
“Fourthly, stopping the destruction of the unique identity of the Tibetan people, as well as interference into their religious freedom. Fifthly, ceasing the grave breaches of human rights against Uyghurs in Hong Kong and elsewhere in China. 2-0058-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, as the President of the Commission emphasised yesterday, when we go to China to defend our interests, Europe must show strength. This strength only comes through our unity, and unity must be based on our common values. Therefore, we must have in mind several important aspects. Firstly, China's position in Russia's war against Ukraine – China's support to the aggressor cannot be tolerated. Secondly, inadmissibility of political, economic and diplomatic pressure on individual EU Member States, for example on Lithuania. Thirdly, inadmissibility of the use of, or threat of, force against the liberal democracy in Taiwan, which is freely established and developed on the same principles as ours.”
“As you know, I'm just a simple jurist, but you were a chairman of a constitutional court, so maybe you could take this moment to explain to our colleagues how it actually works on a legal level, with the rights guaranteed by the European Union and the sovereignty of the Member States in this regard. I would be very happy. 3-0213-0000 Dainius Žalimas (Renew), blue-card answer. – Thank you very much, dear colleague, for the question. As a lawyer, I can assure you that sovereignty doesn't mean the free discretion which international commitments are to be fulfilled or which are not. It is inseparable from the proper fulfilment of all international obligations, including those stemming from the EU membership in a goodwill. And if no, if somebody wouldn't like those obligations, there is always the way to withdraw. 3-0214-0000”
“Will we tolerate these actions until the damage is irreversible? The time for hesitation is over. Apart from all the infringement procedures, ultimately Hungary's voting rights must be suspended at the Council. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 3-0212-0000 Lukas Sieper (NI), blue-card question. – Thank you colleague, I'm up here in the middle for you. We have many colleagues today that claim that this all with the human rights by the European Union that we defended, that's an infringement of the Member States' rights of sovereignty.”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, regrettably, Hungary acts as a Russian Trojan horse within the European Union, eroding our fundamental values from inside and weakening our common security. The Orbán regime echoes Moscow's disinformation and anti-LGBTQ policy. According to the classification adopted recently by the Venice Commission, Orbán's regime can be described as an electoral autocracy with unfair elections, regular abuse of state resources, erosion of civil liberties and subverted institutions. The more space this regime is given, the more aggressively it restricts fundamental rights, in particular the freedom of assembly. The regime does not hesitate to abuse laws, even rewrite the constitution with incredible speed in order to consolidate its power.”
“However, the Commission and the Council must stop turning away. In my own country, Lithuania, we can notice signs of concern. The attempts to control the national public broadcaster, to legitimise corruption, and not to comply with the ruling of the constitutional court defending family rights of same-sex couples. And the Commission seems to step back, insisting that family rights belong to national rather than EU domain. Altogether ... (The President cut off the speaker) 2-0317-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the European Union is more than a market. It is founded on the rule of law, inseparable from pluralistic democracy and fundamental rights. These values are not optional. They do not have different meaning. They define who we are. Now, across the European Union, we are witnessing a dangerous trend. The abusive rule by law, replacing the rule of law. We see it when courts are politicised, when civil society is silenced, media freedom is attacked, the rulings of the Court of Justice are ignored. Hungary stands as a stark example. It has experienced a decade of democratic backsliding. How did we respond? We talk too much. We don't do enough. This must be changed. We need to act at the first signs of democracy erosion. The Parliament has already demonstrated its leadership.”
“If Israel, which is almost ten times smaller than Iran, can dismantle the latter's aggressive potential, why couldn't Ukraine, with our support, do the same? Our belief in Ukraine and trust in ourselves is the most important in compelling the aggressor to peace, and it is indeed the issue of our survival. This is also a burden that history has placed on us. 1-0149-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, we have heard many right words about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, including immeasurable human losses and sufferings. Regrettably, we have also heard extreme right and left representatives aligning themselves with the aggressor and spreading Russian lies. There is no doubt that the aggression is the gravest international crime, no doubt that Russia is committing numerous crimes against humanity and war crimes, no doubt that we have to support Ukraine. However, first and foremost, we must believe in the victory of Ukraine, in the victory of international law and justice. All the delays and shortcomings in supporting Ukraine can be explained by a lack of belief and consequently, a lack of determination.”
“Criminal responsibility for the aggression has to be achieved through the special tribunal to be established with the assistance of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Meanwhile, only the Ukrainian people are entitled to decide their future, including their robust security through full membership of the European Union and NATO. These are the principles that cannot be compromised by any business deals, no matter who is the dealer. 3-0086-0000”
“Madam President, today we can recall the commitment made 80 years ago at the end of the Second World War: any peace must be grounded on international law. And indeed, the legal order established then was built on the same core principles: the prohibition of aggression, a respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, self-determination of peoples. The duty not to recognise forceful annexation has withstood all tests for almost 100 years. There is nothing different when we seek just sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine. The Russian annexation of four Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, can never be recognised and the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be restored. Full reparation for the aggression must be ensured to Ukraine, including the use of frozen Russian assets.”
“Therefore, let us be honest: the further delay in applying Article 7 for Hungary can lead only to the self-destruction of the European Union itself. 3-0340-0000 (Fine della procedura "catch the eye") 3-0341-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, I think today we are not debating on elections in France or Romania, but what is most important. What I would like to emphasise is that the latest criminalisation of Pride marches – together with the authorisation to use facial recognition in order to persecute peaceful protesters in Hungary – is not only a simple breach of the freedoms of assembly and expression; with this type of legislation, Hungary has put itself at the distance of only one step short to Russia, where the LGBT community has been proclaimed as an extremist organisation. Needless to say that in such a manner, Hungary seriously and persistently breaches EU fundamental values, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Being an agent of Putin's regime, Orbán has nothing to do in the European Union.”
“We must weigh what has to be safeguarded: the sovereign immunity of the aggressors' assets or the survival of a victim, independent and democratic state of Ukraine, as well as the whole rules‑based international order. Therefore, Europe must be decisive by developing progressively international law with the decision to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine at the account of future reparations. Let us ensure that the aggressor always pays. 3-0409-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, lex semper dabit remedium - the law must always provide appropriate remedies against any breach. This maxim fits the best in seeking the legal solution on the frozen Russian assets. The legal and moral imperatives in this case, indeed, are more than clear. There is no doubt that Russia, as an aggressor, must stop the war and provide the full reparation to Ukraine. There is also no doubt that the war of aggression is the grossest possible breach of international law. Therefore, other states must cooperate in bringing to an end the aggression. This cooperation includes legitimate countermeasures. This is the answer as to how to justify under international law the use of frozen Russian assets for self-defence and the reconstruction of Ukraine.”
“It should be implemented by ambitious legislative proposals, appropriate education and conditionality instruments for those who do not adhere to European standards of gender equality. If we need a reminder of what is at stake, look at Ukraine. Even at war, Ukraine has launched its first gender equality index because of understanding that there is no civilised world without women's rights and gender equality. 2-0199-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, the fight for women's rights is not just a political choice. It is also a choice between civilisations or between inclusive, participatory democracy and authoritarianism, usually accompanied with violence and sexism. However, progress on gender equality in the EU still seems to be uneven and fragile. A new EU-wide gender-based violence survey exposes that violence against women remains a daily reality. The EU directive on violence against women fails to include a consent-based definition of rape. Five EU Member States: Bulgaria, Czechia, Lithuania, Hungary and Slovakia, refused to ratify the Istanbul Convention, sounds like a betrayal of our core values. The Women's Rights Roadmap is a step forward to the single European human rights space, however not sufficiently concrete.”
“They should be determined by the victim and international law. Everything else is the fundamental failure for us political leaders of Europe. Our generation might be remembered with shame and disgust. Do we really want this to be our legacy? 2-0147-0000”
“Mr President, there are only two ways to achieve long‑lasting peace in a war of self-defence against aggression: victory or capitulation. However, only in the case of victory against an aggressor can we see legitimacy restored and justice achieved. This means the full restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty, full reparation for all the damages sustained by Ukraine, punishment by a special tribunal of the Russian and Belarusian leadership for the crime of aggression, as well as holding accountable all those responsible for war crimes. And, certainly, the implementation of other principles of President Zelenskyy's victory plan, such as the full membership of Ukraine in the European Union and NATO. Justice cannot be separated from peace, and conditions of peace cannot be dictated by the aggressor.”
“To restore that respect in Georgia we must clearly recognise Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimate president of the Georgian people, not to recognise the legitimacy of the Georgian regime authorities, as well as to target all the accomplices of the regime with the most effective sanctions. Our financial resources must be redirected immediately to those upholding democracy, independent media and civil society. 2-0522-0000”
“Mr President, today we can ask ourselves, is it worth being an ally of the European Union? The reality before us suggests a painful answer. Those who stand under the EU flag and fight for our values face violence, silence and even sometimes, betrayal. In Ukraine, people are dying for the European aspirations. In Georgia, citizens striving for democracy suffer from brutality. Just last week, as it was mentioned, Giorgi Gakharia, one of the opposition leaders, and Zviad Koridze, the head of Transparency International in Georgia, were attacked and severely beaten. The editor of Georgian independent media outlet Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested and started a hunger strike. Our liberal democracy is becoming a synonym of weakness. I fear we are losing the respect of those who look to us as a beacon of hope.”