Of Racial Discrimination across the world. Black lives do matter and systematic racism and discrimination have no place in our society. The event that triggered the recent protests raise for some foremost the issue of Police Treatment of africanAmerican People and more broadly the place in society. And because it is each countries history and social and political context, this situation cannot just respond to your 121. The quality, Human Dignity, respect for human rights, gender equality and the prohibition of discrimination are founding values of the European Union. Among the treatment of fight racism, new fundamental rights which protect citizens against any discrimination on the grounds of race, color, ethnic origin and religion or belief. The racial equality directive is the first new generation equal treatment instrument extending Legal Protections against discrimination beyond the ground of gender is the key instrument at the eu level. This not only for extended protections to newgrounds and fields. It changed the european human rights infrastructure forever requiring all Member States to designate National Equality bodies to promote equal treatment. The presidency Stronger Fighting racism. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to announce the marking of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of this crucial legislative instrument organized by the creation collation presence and in equality Bodies Commission and the council on the 29th of june, the exact date of directive adoption by the council. The eu has so far developed a robust Legal Framework including specific legislation on combating intolerance and hatred such as 2008 decision in combating racism in june 2016, the Council InvitedMember States to ensure the effective position and implementation of the framed decision and other relevant hate crime laws at national level. In addition ill never say to develop effective measures to report integer proper recording of hate crimes. In conclusion, and october 2017 the the council also welcomed the measures coordinated by the commissions High Level Group in combating racism and other forms of intolerance. All these countermeasures need to be accompanied by antiracist education and more precisely than the to develop democratic resilience, tolerance, and conflict resolution skills in learning processes. To sum up, we have done legislation, knowledge, education, also condemnation of any form of racial motivated by the hate speech and discrimination. At the same time, however, wen europe are vigilant in the face of the increase and number of of hate speech and racism affecting minorities. The fundamental Rights Agency reported released in novembee unacceptable challenges black people still face in our countries. The inclusion of black people is hampered by several obstacles. Discrimination against them during their job search, mismatch between educational level and the current jobs and access to housing. We are therefore compelled to take such matters extremely seriously. It is our obligation to lead and uncompromising fight against racism in our union. Honorable members, the European Union is deeply committed to fighting all forms of discrimination within its borders as well as abroad and at large. In march 2019 the Council Adopted eu human rights guidelines on nondiscrimination internal action. This provides guidance to enhance the effectiveness of the eu human rights policy in combating this commission any grants including race and to increase its ability of awareness of the eu values and actions in combating discrimination in its external actions. Abuse of power has to be denounced and combated everywhere. Societies which pride themselves of representing the rule at all, democratic principles, fundamental freedoms and human rights should set an example in this respect. All societies must remain vigilant against the excess of use of force and ensure that incident such as the killing of mr. Floyd are addressed swiftly, effectively, and in full respect of the rule of law and human rights. We trust in the building of the American People to come together to heal as a nation and to address these important issues. Racism is not just a problem in the United States, as i said. And in many European Countries and across the world have shown. There is possible of combating racism rests with all of us. Politicians, teachers, civil servants, students, parents, policemen, citizens, all of us. Thank you very much for your attention. Thank you, minister. I would have liked to pass the floor to ursula von der leyen. You have the floor. Mr. President , honorable members, i do not know what it is to be black. I do not know what it is to be black or a member of any minority, the ethnic, religious or sexual in the places i have lived. I have never expressed being treated differently merely for my appearance. So i dont know either what it means to be treated suspiciously day after day in the street or when i go shopping or when i go looking for a job or looking for a new flat or house, just as my colleague has just told us this story. Most of us are sitting here in the room, well, we just dont know what it is that youve experienced but we do have an opportunity. We have a chance. A lot of people are telling us, they are crying out loud to us that weve been putting up with racism for far too long and it has to finish. Honorable members, both people who go out into r street to demonstrate in our countries on both sides of the atlantic and around the world, we have, we hear them raising their voices. They want to be heard, and the time is come for us to do more than just listen and condemn racism. We have to take this opportunity to talk about racism openly and, frankly, this is why i would like to thank you for having placed this point on the agenda for this session, and for having placed it at the top of the agenda. As a society we need to confront reality. We relentlessly need to fight racism and discrimination, visible discrimination of course but also more subtle, racism and discrimination are unconscious bias. All sorts in the Justice System and Law Enforcement, in our Labour Market and the Housing Market, in education and healthcare, in politics and migration. We should join forces at all levels, europeans, national, regional, local, public and private, business and civil society, and each of us individually as citizen to build a europe that is equal and more humane, more fair, and let me be very clear. And our union there is no place for racism or any kind of discrimination. This is for sure. [applause] and honorable members, together we need to answer difficult questions. Why to racism and discrimination in door in our societies . What are their Political Parties supporting xenophobia and racism that when elections . Why are members of ethnic and religious minorities underrepresented in political, social and economic institutions . And overrepresented in poverty, illness and Law Enforcement statistics . What can we do in the fields of education, employment, else there, housing, and more . To build an open, more fair, and Conscious Society . What can we do so that our institutions that represent the diversity of our european societies . This is not the work of a sectoral policy, of a Single Person or of a single commissioner. This is why i am here as president of the European Commission. I want to get to the bottom of these questions. Next week we will have a structured debate on racism in college, and let us look around here in this very hammes cycle to the diversity of our hemisphere suburbs been and it would be the first to admit things are not better in the college of commissioners or among the European Commission staff. And this is why i say, we need to talk about racism and we need to act. It is always possible to change direction if there is the will to do so. Let me take one small example of a a small step in the right direction that i would guess when i was defense minister in my home country. At the time in the German Armed Forces are recruiting system had been in place for decades, that always favored the same. We had some excellent candidates that would bring valuable assets to our armed forces. Sometimes rare assets like speaking arabic or farsi, these somehow, those assets were not valued, not at all. And in a nation of rod such skills save comrades lives there but at the time the attitude was, but the system doesnt allow for this and we have never done this before. Like then analysis and reflection started. And finally led the German Armed Forces to change the recording system, it was to the better for the German Armed Forces and was better for the german society. Ed has become a more fair system for the soldiers. So we can change if there is a political winner behind it. There is a way to do it. Honorable members, we need to talk about racism with an open mind. The good news is we do not start from scratch and the European Union discrimination is prohibited at the highest possible legal level. I mean fundamental rights, on grounds of race and ethnic origin. We also have european laws against racism, ethnic discrimination and hate speech, on racial equality directive, our framework, to see on combating forms of expression of racism and xenophobia, to name just a few. We have cooperation involving experts from all Member States, a highlevel group of combating racism, the adobe and other forms and the European Network of equality bodies come here again, to name just a few, and with european funds, but we need to try harder. Im glad to live in a society that contends racism, but we should not stop there. If we counter it, we must sound the alarm and act immediately and we must be aware that the chileans and awareness begin on a very small scale with each and every one of us. Awareness includes examining ourselves, awareness includes speaking up in cases of discrimination, awareness includes questioning privileges we may take for granted which are anything but. Honorable members, much of our European Union is united in diversity. Our task is to live up to these words and to fulfill their meaning, this is what im looking forward to listening to you for a better euro, united in diversity. [applause] thank you, president , for your presence and for your work on this point. We will now hear from the political groups on behalf of the epp, mrs. Isabel wiselerlima. Thank you. Standing up, protesting, refusing any form of racism. This is what i feel and this is something that is in my view is also our duty as members within this heavy cycle and thats why it is so important to have this meant talking with a single voice allowed. Our voice is essential. Our refusal plus our absolute condemnation of racism, of solidarity with all of those who suffer from discrimination, a strong message from the european parliament. The violent death of george floyd has led throughout the whole world to the need to stand up against racism and also abuse of Police Forces here this multicolored movement has led to many in people having hope for the future. I would also like to express my admiration for all of those other Police Officials who do their job in the exemplary fashion. As to her history, were not going to rewrite it. And if we can be proud of many incidents, we cannot as human beings, we cannot not also have shame. That shame is evident when we think about the concentration camps of the Second World War and should be equally selfevident when talking about boats filled with slaves. We are proud of values underpinning the founder of the European Union, and the rules that we give ourselves today to improve the future, but we have to respond on a daily basis, give ourselves the possibly of having a policy which will provide everybody, everybody the same opportunities. That is the only way of eradicating racism. Thank you. Thank you, mrs. Garcia perez, for the democrats. Thank you. I cant breathe. These are the words of the george floyd which he tried to say during a very long agony, and they were just not a shout out, at that particular moment. It is a cry that spreads over a whole time because we know why is it that black people suffer more than white people from violence . And what about the Health Crisis and the covid19 crisis . Why is that suffocating blacks more than white . The economic crisis as well. Rosa parks ended up in jail because she refused to get up from her bus seat for a white person go to the back of the bus. Martin luther king paid with his life. A life which was dedicated to fight racial this commission in the United States. Inequality and pain which are caused by discrimination have not prevented or avoided their dreams being alive today. Still, they want social justice and this is what people have been crying for the when they went out into the streets. In the thousands come in the millions, and this represents hope. As representatives of european citizens it is our duty to eradicate the latent racism in our peoples, neera tanden it is. It is acceptable that since 2008 the directive on antidiscrimination is blocked in the council. I can see the commissioner much hope that she will ally herself with us to try to unblock this because we do need legislative instruments to fight racism, o put an end to racism in europe, especially when you see Political Parties been founded which are races lyrical parties. People who dont know that history are condemned to repeating it. And people who are discriminated against because of their color, their ethnic background, their religion, obviously any society built like that will have to fill and we have to make sure all societies, all citizens are free and its thanks to the thousands of voices of our citizens that we know that blacklight do matter. And right on the European Union we have to speak out loud and clear and say, remove white knees from black necks. Thank you. Dacian ciolos. Thank you. Blacklight, all lies matter. George floyd death was terrifying and this crime proves that in our society there is still a lack of respect for human life but we must be honest. Racism is an exclusively an american problem. It is also a european problem. Whats going on in the United States in the death of george floyd and the aggression there and the lack of respect for human life should prompt us to look more deeply into our european heart. With the different routes historically, racism and discrimination exists both endo west and east of our union. Too often the fear of others is accompanied by deep structure, institutional racism and socioeconomic inequalities that end up harming our societies as a whole. Fortunately, that includes some politicians who play on that fear to kindle that feeling and use it for their means. A society in which one has to be afraid because one is different to other people is that one allows for the blossoming of human life. Europe sees diversity as an asset and will never stop legislating for diversity and nondiscrimination, but above all we must cultivate it. We must not impose it forcefully but through common sense. Above all we must start with ourselves, and on behalf of my political country i would like to propose that we the three european institutions were to go on this question, parliament, commission and council must sit down about the same table and asked whether our institutions on their inside sufficiently reflect the diversity of our union. I would ask the council and you, madam president , to support the initiative for a task force on this topic here because we must contribute to building an Inclusive Society starting with ourselves the more inclusive. And when we set the example ourselves, then we can ask others to respect that principle. Racism and discrimination are a shameful part of our common history and, unfortunately, of our present. It is our duty and our responsibility to ensure that racism and discrimination are not part of her future. Thank you. Thank you. Susanna ceccardi. Thank you, president. The death of a man following violence always deserve justice, and so quite rightly the whole world is united in morning the death of george floyd. The International Press and the mainstream, some lies may be worth less than others but that the case of david, and africanamerican who was seven years old 77 years old, retired policeman, he died on the second of june online on facebook trying to defend a friend shop from violence in ste was innocent but there were no marches for him, no protest, no indignation. The process across america have become increasingly violent but if spread to europe as well. There has been raged against Police Officers and iconic rage against statues and symbols of the past. Christopher columbus, confederate leaders, conquistadors from the past and even the film gone with the wind had been called racist come bring you down statues will not save the world from racism. Apart from racism theres another plague spreading across the world which need to be combated, and that is the plague of ignorance and stupidity of those want to erase their own history. Thank you. Alice kuhnke. Mr. President , honorable members of the european parliament, a few days after the killing of george floyd i was putting my youngest daughter to bed. She asked me, will they kill me, to . It has inequalities that still prevail and de facto kill people. Of course structural race in eu is different from the u. S. We dont have the same horrific history of slavery and lynchings, but we do have documented atrocities in our colonial history which still resonates today through extermination of police brutality. In addition, we have recent history of systematic persecution, mass murders of minorities, of youth, of lgbt persons, to name a few. No one is free and less all are free. We need to send a strong signal to the u. S. , but also to sweep in front of her own goal. This parliament, and your commission, will define how the eu subset to create a Sustainable Society that leaves no one behind. There can be no room for racism and discrimination. A first step would be to unblock the antidiscrimination directive that has been stuck in council since 2008. Madam president , i call on you and incoming german presidency to take this historic opportunity for action. Tonight, i want to put my daughter to bed and assure her, you will be safe, because in the eu we refuse to be silenced by hate, by fear, by ignorance. I asked him behalf of my daughter, if not now, when . [applause] thank you. Thank you. On behalf of thank you, president. Thank you. Well, if you listen to the way people are expressing themselves today, how good the europeans are, how bad the rest are and what a wonderful opportunity to add this European Campaign targeting the americans, i would like to read something that was written and are going to read at something that was written out by a european, a european person who has allies here in the chamber and who is a member here as well. Guest . From the party of member of the european parliament. An ally of mr. Sanchezs government, ally and racist governing part of spain against the spanish, and this is whats happening in spain. So, as you can see, we dont have to go as far as america. On the 25th of may there was a tragic episode as a result of a criminal act, a black person died because the criminal acts carried out by a Police Officer. He had quite a criminal record, he had been in jail, he was fleeing from the police. This black person died and has triggered a whole wave of racism. Racism against the american system. A huge wave of hate against the police and which was being used by others against the United States of america and against their president and now, were hearing about the thank you. On behalf of merci. Thank you for your european parliament, its an honor to open this plenary parts session with this debate and on behalf of my group as a whole, thank youment you. A tragic event has become a Major Political issue. The eight minutes surrounding the death of george floyd have led hundreds of thousands to take to the streets across the world to repulse Structural Racism and Police Violence and our indignation this afternoon speaks eloquently of how much these actions offend against our shared values and thats were we stand by that movement and victims of racism and violence, Police Violence, calling for a tangible anticipate to be given to that request for respect and equali equality. Faced with that event we must also look clearly at our histo history. And we must see that this event goes back to centuries of domination against the blacks in america and inequality in europe. Lets bear in mind our european history has always acted like a pendulum between barberism and civilization and in europe, despite reason, despite enlightenment, the worst theories of racial hierarchy came to light to just defy cons questionses, slavery and colonization and to justify the holocaust. Therefore, if we wish to expunge evil, its whole continent of the mind that we must take apart and any system of economic violence must be forward because as we observe, inequality, social inequality goes on building on racial inequality and in that fight we must wage present symbols such as memories are important and thats why we must proclaim from this very european parliame parliament, as our resolution calls for, that slavery is a crime against humanity and together that we must demonstrate. Thank you. Unattached. Thank you, president. The brutal killing of george floyd has led to a wave of indignation, rage and protests across the world. What happened to george floyd unfortunately isnt an isolated incident. We cant be indifferent before racism and discrimination, we have to confront this phenomenon, frankly without hypocrisy and counter all kinds of racism. The most evident, the most violent and the less evident and insidious and the racism that hides behind compassion or charity and through moral superiority, whether utilitarian view of those with black skins. People who offend Human Dignity. When fighting this phenomenon, we have many fights still to go, cultural battles against all kinds of prejudices in groups to political battles to ensure that we have full rights to work, to health, to education, to justice, to political and social participation and thats the response to any form of different forms of treatment that we expect from the institutions and the Member States. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Gonzalez. One minute. Thank you, president. Listening to what were saying, everybody is an antiracist, is against racism. Well, congratulations, Everything Else is racist. If you look at the face of george floyd, that reflects of the faces looking at him and take away extermination camps, the same continuing happen, people were murdered because of the background. We cant solve racism by pulling down statues and pulling down Police Officers or closing your eyes and racism cannot be tackled or cured by racism. Only when a church, a synagogue on a mosque can be my church, my mosque and my synagogue can we have that against racism. We need education, for centuries weve been suffering from this particular pandemic and we still have not managed to actually put those who are suffering from racism into quarantine and that once and for all. Thank you, colleagues, we move for next speaker for one minute, please. The microphone. Now its on. Thank you, madam president. Skin color, country of birth or religion are never a threat. Threats come from racism, fear, or a lack of damage. The killing of george floyd is just one of many search events in the United States and also this happens on our own continent. Black lives matter demonstrations showed solidarity with all. But Structural Racism has affected many in the United States. The demonstrations show the frustration that Structural Racism and discrimination, but that also exists in our own union. Structural racism is not just about dark racist theories, but also daytoday life. We see this in cooperation in s sos so si ci eechlt and others shou be involved and thats why i can vote in favor of this resolution against racism. One minute madam pfaff yella, please. George floyd, Breonna Taylo taylor am have fallen victims and many will follow if we do not act. I stand with everyone who is p pro protesting against institutional racism. People demand action from our own institutions and our own Member States. Havent we learned from history . We hear that we need to embrace the progress, but if my ancestors would see society now, would they see real he quality and true respect for Human Dignity . United university is what we say in the eu so lets walk the talk. We need a fundamental change in our institution so that they represent all of euro citizens. They want a new seat at the table, they will show up and they will be loud and they will break through. Black lives matter. [applaus [applause] thank you. For one minute. Thank you, madam president. The weaponizization of the tragic death of a man to the accuse systemic racism in europe is scandalous and immoral. To use George Floyds death is to import on our shores concepts that are foreign to us. Racial segregation is foreign to our continent and france in particular. And rome isnt tearing down statues and having protests such as those we had close to this building. I prefer to recall the history of my country and european civilization being first to abolish slavery when he was practiceded everywhere rather than accusing us in france, the forces of law and order, of racism. I prefer instead to recall that some people are of racism, but i would rather say that victimization and saying somebody whose death is a scandal being used in itself is racism and needs to be condemned. Thank you. For one woman madam hertzberger. Thank you. Theres a black woman living here in europe ive not only become aware of the racism awareness here, but im experienced it this for myself over past 40 years. If you take a look at whats going on around the world this is a result of colonial structural and pressure which was been there for centuries. This is systemic racism and discrimination which focuses on the blacks and ethnic minorities. I dont want to talk to hear only about changing police training, there have to be more hard and fast consequences, justice for those who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones being victims of police. Its not only european blacks, but whatever their descendents see, people of clr, including those who are still drowning in the mediterranean as a result of immigration policy. I want to be clear all black lives matter whether theyre european or not. Black trans lives matter. Black womens lives matter. As a teacher ive seen the tears of children. Have been triggered by latent or ballet tent racism, on the hate that then instills itself in the soul after child and that child is then doomed to failure. We need to get back to dialog. And as Martin Luther king said, we have to learn to live together like brothers, otherwise all of us are going to dea altogether like the idiots. [applaus [applause]. Thank you, for one min. Honorable madam president , honorable madam president of the european, dear colleagues. All lives matter if we only believe that the knights of the representatives of one race matter is racism. It is also racism to maintain that only one single race matters. Please choose your cause. I respect everyones life or you stand behind racist causes. When you make use of someones death, someones personal tragedy for your own political benefits, this is hypocrisy, this is an approach taken by the left, by communists, by racists. Let me remind all colleagues who are wearing certain te shirts today how many lives were destroyed by the bolsheviks and the communists. When you believe that vandalism is the right thing to do, thats racism, too. My ancestors fought against the turks to enslaved the bulgarians. They did it with weapons instead of looting shops. Accusing someone of their origin is indecent on their colleagues. Making someone feel guilty based on their race is insidious. You make someone feel guilty just based on their origin. Thats absolutely unacceptable. Not only am i not ashamed of my origin and of my nation, on the contrary, im proud of the ancient great nation i belong to. Thank you, i wish you health. For one minute, please. Adam president , george floyd died having been tackled by three policemen in minnesota and then a few weeks later Winston Churchills statue have been attacked and then there has been accusation of racism against europe, but you dont cure a crime by another. We should not tar all of these things with the same brush. Our policemen are giving up their lives they lead for our peace. We cannot fight racism by bringing a powder keg of resentment. Is europe really engaging in Structural Racism in all fields . I will not be insulted like that. Citizens across the country are contributing to education policy, migration policy of the most generous nature in the world. Its not a theoretical debate. Were just breeding further violence, and you cannot fight racism by falling back into racial division, europe is made of greatness and weakness like any other in the world. Weve promoted the ideal of being universal today. Are we really going to celebrate the black from the others . The parliament should fight only one fight, which is that every life matters. For one minutes. President , colleagues, this month we have seen thousands taking to the streets demanding justice for killing of george floud. A Police Officer pressed his knee into mr. Floyds neck for eight minutes as he laid down on the ground in handcuffs and mr. Floyds killing is not an exception. Hes one of those by officers. And for mr. Floyd and all the innocent lives taken before. And the call against institutional racism is not new, but the message is stronger than ever. Young, old, black, white, everyone is demanding systemic change. Call for Racial Justice quickly moved to europe, too. This highlighted racism is not exclusive an american problem. Also in europe, against the people of color runs deep in our institutions and society. Black lives matter and that means that we have work to do as well. And lastly, our healing cannot succeed, we need to recognize our colonial past and especially the lives of black and brown people. The protests fill me with hope and together we have some momentum to change. Thank you. Thank you, for one minute, madam. [inaudible conversation] thats a false start. Thank you very much. Dear colleagues, can you imagine what it does to a mothers heart when your daughter asks you every day, mama, i dont want to have my color, i want to be white. Can you make me white . Can you imagine . Well, i can because it happens to me. I have a beautiful black husband and two beautiful color children so this debate, that is a game changer, and this hate speech and europe is a continent the most progressive one on human rights, on values, but i was disappointed. Today you made a very strong statement about the last date the commission and council were too silent. Thats why we voted to, for a strong resolution to come out and speak and not speak, but to act so that every child of rich color can grow up safe in europe. Black lives matters. Thank you. [applaus [applause]. Thank you. For one minute. Yes, thank you very much. Structural racism in europe sounds a bit strange. We see indian or in our cities and doesnt look like Structural Racism and then we have the street fights between people from chechens, or that doesnt look like Structural Racism and you take a look at very many french, belgium, dutch cities, Police Officers dont care to go into certain neighborhoods where there are a lot of immigrants. So theres people who say that there is this kind of racism. They still bring hundreds of thousands of africans to europe. I i mean, if you feel theres Structural Racism stop the impact of migration i think 10 years until youve realized this kind of Structural Racism has disappeared, thank you. For one minute, madam. George floyds death on the 25th of may is something that we find horrendous and thats normal, where its a one of a long list of people black men and by American Police for decades where justice hasnt been provided. At many levels there is Structural Racism in the american system, but the system also exists in our democracies in europe. Euro european citizens suffer on housing education, jobs, due to the color of their skin and origins, the origin of their parents. Theres nothing in our institutions and practically none in parliament, looking around and our administrations, primarily, what our citizens suffer ever day from the police, is awful. They suffer from violence occasionally. They have repeated checks carried out against them and we continue to ignore the systemic nature of these incidents and france, germany, belgium and elsewhere, there have been george floyd and will be in the future if we refuse to tackle this problem. If we dont dare question what he is happening on a daily basis. Thank you. Thank you, for one minute. Thank you, madam president , president , dear colleagues, an American Writer tried tried in his book, he would call it the violent revolutions in order to change dictatorship has sadly resulted in the acts such as libya, being the minorities like yazidis and christians in the middle east. All minorities who didnt have police had to pay the price for changing systems that resulted in a third. Weve seen similar questionses after two purse cuting those who did not fit, sadly my part of the world. Slauted with thousands of people suffering. Suddenly brutal killing of george floyd spoiled the American Dream that we had. And the modern technologies and woke us up and the similar need for every group and religion and member. And society, in order to feel everybody like equals and not like second class citizens. We tried to explain for many years outside of europe. We need to explore the european pay of thinking and show that the eu has the best model in the last 70 years. So let us really explore the european models for all the world and not try to be honest because its the only one that works so far. Thank you. Thank you. For one minute. Thank you, madam president. I want to join a clear condemnation of excessive use of force on george floyd and resulted in the outcome. He unfortunately is not the only victim of the systemic deeper rooted institutional racism that has not disappeared for a century and the slavery in the 50 years since the civil rights movements. Condemning racism in america is not complete if we do not look at everything. We as the European Union do wrong. Nondiscrimination directive has been blocked for 12 years. Theres a proposal for further reduction of the justice, rights and value fund and School Curriculums are often selected and overlooked in the glory of the past. In the context of the foreign policy, European Unions should remain committed to improving its partnership with the United States. Which will be based on the human rights, and democracy. Its time to condemn all of those in our society that is actually working on divisions for political. And also equality for all. Thank you. Thank you. For one minute. Thank you very much. I want to share with you an essay i wrote when i was eight years old. I am monica. I have beautiful black skin. My family came to luxembourg. We almost had to go back to our island because we should be expelled from the country. In the beginning i was at the institute ap now, our mother has found a beautiful large amount apartment. I am happy with everyone. My touch loved when i said we are all just luxembourgers and she added, we are all just human beings. However, color is the know invisible. I have experienced racism. Ive been surrounded by 14 neonazis shouting at me. I frequently got stopped at airports and once i was separated from my friends for ours. I hear tragic remarks about black people, but then you are an exception and i say, no, i am not. This is why we must report this resolution and call on them to unblock the antidiscrimination directive. The time for silence is over. [applause] thank you. Thank you for one minute. All lives matter. Colleagues, all lives matter. All lives are important. This is becoming a bit of a taboo now, journalists, politicians, protesters projecting a u. S. Problem with Police Violence on europe and abusing a european left agenda. Its not right. We dont have a problem with Police Violence against the black people. No, police do not have a problem with Structural Racism. There are other parts of the world for opportunities for these people. Theres no problem with people with different skin colors and their opportunities. Its all about hard work and hard work as our forefathers, we should not bring that down. We should not apologize for what we are. We shouldnt have antiwhite racism making people kowtow. Before we begin with the speakers list, i need to make an announcement which is to open the first voting session. We will vote on it as indicated on the agenda adopted today at the opening. The voting session and used as the pay first session. For the two immunity reports, voting will be by secret ballot. Members will be able to cost the vote in the way, and the ballot for signature will not display the way they voted only the fact that they have voted. All of the votes will be held by role call. Explanations of those may be submitted in writing. Exceptionally only votes containing a maximum of 400 words will be accepted and now declare the first voting session open and the results will be announced at 2015. I apologize for the previous interruption to the important debate and now the floor. Thank you. The images of the racist deaths perpetrated against george floyd cant leave you indifferent, but this is something thats ever present. We know that theres racism, social inequality and violence and discrimination on the Housing Market systems and labor markets. What we want to do especially taking the lights seriously and as we see this and as an invitation to act. We want people to be respected, a ban on discrkricrim nation, w want rule of law and protection for minorities. We have seen that covid19 is exacerbating social inequality in the longterm. And this is why we need the recovery plan. It has to be used to tackle social inequality in europe and put an end to it. Only in that way can we strengthen our democracies and bring an end to racism and social urgency. Thank you. Thank you, madam president , i would agree with what many of the speakers said at racism and discrimination going on far too many years with indicators which are worrying such as increase of number of deaths. And we have an antidiscrimination directorive for 11 years the council hasnt with all discrimination, and we have whats at stake, and legislative proposal. And i think to the stakeholders and fighting racism and discrimination, if we better supported them we could avoid certain problems. Sadly, the question of next i think we need to be prudent here. First of all, for our constitutional concern with some Member States and also because the statistics are ju just at one points in time and cannot substitute genuine soci social thank you. Thank you, for one minute. Colleagues, im very happy were having this debate today. In this Parliament Near fascist and nazi parties, even though theyre minority, take any ole debate for the hate speech. For racism, we need for them. Were here to counter this divisive speech, to speak more loudly than the mini trumps and the half baked, ventriloquists debate after debate, vote after vote we never concede a word to racist and xenophobic ideologies. Lets not forget the european project fights against racism. On one hand its the best shield against the far right and on the other hand it places proud with diversity and strength of our diversity. United in diversity at the heart of its identity. [applause]. Thank you, i now give the floor to the commission to respond. Madam, you have the floor. Thank you, commissioner. Thank you very much, madam president and honorable members. Thank you very much for this very important debate. I think it was very obvious from what the president of the Commission Alliance said in her opening speech. No place for racism in our union. All instances of racists or xenophobic hatred and violence. Let me asks be clear that we condemn violence in general, wherever it comes from and that the police needs to do its demanding jobs, but always racial or ethic profiling and selective approach should not be tolerated and by delay our fundamental rights agencies already published i think two years ago, very useful guidelines which serve as training for the police and for the armed forces to avoid this kind of treatment. Yes, black lives matter because all lives matter. Everyone, black, white or any other race or nationality deserves the same chance to believe able to participate and pursue happiness in our social environment. We all should be able to say to our children and grandchildren, do not worry, nobody will kill you because of the color of your skin. But this debate is also about where we are in europe with in europe with racism and xenophobia and we have a lot of data from already mentioned, fundamental Rights Agency and the latest report which brings a clear evidence that people with minority backgrounds continue to experience harassment, violence and ethnic and Racial Discrimination in different areas in the eu. And indeed, we have strong legislation, but the legislation cannot do the whole job. We have the legislation on the highest possible level the president mentioned the charter of fundamental rights and 20 years since the directive and over 10 years after the adoption of the framework decision on racism and xenophobia so we have strong legislation and the situation is still worrying and remains worrying and we need to promote and department adopted the equal treatment directive way was mentioned here many times. Its a shame, i will say, that this directive waits 12 years for adoption and i fully rely on my colleague, a while ago that she will be very determined to convince the Member States to take unanimous decision because this directive requires unanimity. And its so important, its implementation and proper enforcement, but we need much more because whats our problem, its deeply rooted prejudice and stereo type thinking. So, we need we need education, we need culture and we need equality bodies which were strengthened by our legislation in the last mandate and do the good job. We need trust from the people belonging to minorities to report in the cases of harassment and violence against them. They do not trust, they do not report, and now i think next week we will also update our strategy on implementation of the victims rights directive to encourage the victims to report, but we should do much more, not to have the victims, its late to respond only this criminal justice. We have problems in all the Member States. I would say this is european problem, but can be specific systems. We only have 15 Member States at this moment which have strategy against racism. We have to talk seriously about that that it has to be changed. We also have to work much more this Digital World because we saw a lot of increase of hatred online. We have quite efficient instruments against hate speech and we have the platforms cooperating, but we need to do much more in this direction. This year, as you know, the work program of the commission, we want to uphold our european fundamental rights and taking the strategy on charter implementation and the quality later this year. And if you noticed in the budget eu new generation budget, that is a very clear line that it must have social dimension and nobody should be lagging behind and everybody should get the chance also using the eu funding. We will have European Social fund hopefully to help the minorities. We cannot this is not about political tolerance, but about basic human right, the right to be treated equally regardless of color of skin, our religion or sexual orientation. We should be put we politicians should be put more under pressure. We politicians and opinion leaders who have to influence on what the society thinks and how the people approach the matters related to minorities. We have to refrain from spreading racially charged hatred for political gains and invest in longterm education and culture and do many more longterm measures. As said, i can also confirm, i dont have a clue how it feels to be black. I have never experienced any kind of discrimination. Thats why whenever i go to the Member States and i spoke, for example, to the young people i always ask those who managed to study secondary school, who managed to study university, my question is how did you manage that . Because i know that their starting line is so difficult, much more difficult than the starting line of my children or children of many of us here. And they will always tell me, there were three moments. At some moment i realized i do not want to live the life of my parents. I want to do something more. I want to get out of the trap of whats a problem and the second, very important thing and condition, i needed to find the helping hand. Those who managed always found helping hand in their local community, it was the mayor, it was the ngo, it was the teacher or director of the school. They could not manage without the help. So the zero tolerance for discrimination and zero tolerance for racism cannot be enough, we have to take proactive actions and support the people to get out of the trouble. Thank you very much. [applaus [applause]. Thank you, and ill give the floor to the state secretary to conclude. Thank you. Thank you honorable members. This can be a useful and emotional debate. I would like to thank you for this opportunity to participate in it. I believe that our institutions are largely on the same line with regard to these important issues. Respect for Human Dignity and human rights, freedom, equality, rule of law are the very foundations are the European Union. The council is committed to upholding these values in the eu relations including with our likeminded partners such as the United States. Let me show you once again that the presidency and the council as a whole reject any form of racism and raich disyim nation and supports your fight to make sure our values endure, we have a solid framework in place which needs to be complemented by enforcement and targeted measures, such as education, public debates. And i can assure you that the council will continue to follow these debates very closely and closely to our views today, you must hear the voice of young people peacefully demanding a better and more just world. Thank you once again for your attention. Thank you very much. Colleagues, the debate is closed and the vote will be held on friday. Thank you. [inaudible conversations] this morning a forum on election interference and spreading rolls of misinformation and live coverage by the Washington Institute begins to the at 10 p. M. Eastern on cspan2. Now, bill and Melinda Gates on what their foundation is doing in developing a covid19 vaccine. The conversation was hosted by the u. S. Chamber of commerce. The gates are also working toward an internationally coordinated response to deliver a vaccine equitybly once its created. Welcome to a very special edition of the u. S. Chamber foundations top forward series. If youve been a regular viewer, welcome back. If youre new to the series, thank you for joining us, we hope you find it both informative and interesting and boy, did you pick a great week to tune in. Over the past few months, we have been bringing together experts in a number of fields, all around the topic of returning to work. Today were thrilled to be joined by two of the most impactful philanthropists in the world. Bill and Melinda Gates have dedicated their lives to advancing science and