Today, a debate took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the 2024 annual report on human rights and democracy around the world and the European Union’s policy in this area. Speaking on behalf of the ECR Group, PiS MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk took the floor during the discussion.
Mularczyk stated that the report in question, like many similar documents, contains provisions worthy of support as well as those that require correction and supplementation.
The ECR shadow rapporteur highlighted several important issues that, in his opinion, should be taken into account in further work on this document. “I urge you in particular to support the provisions concerning the defense of the rights of religious minorities around the world,” the PiS politician appealed. He also noted that Christians remain the most persecuted religious group to date. “That is why, during the vote, I will stand in solidarity with their cause by supporting the relevant sections of the report,” he emphasized. The ECR MEP also called for support for Amendment No. 75, which raises concerns about reports of cases in which funds from international institutions—including the U.S. Agency for International Development and even the European Union—were allegedly used to support groups engaged in political activism targeting democratically elected governments, including in Poland. Mularczyk called on the EU to cooperate fully with Parliament, journalists, and the public to clarify these situations and establish transparent rules and effective mechanisms for monitoring the spending of these funds. “In accordance with Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union, the Union must base its relations with third countries on democracy, respect for the rule of law, and human dignity,” the Polish politician noted, adding that, unfortunately, not all of the European Union’s partners—including Cuba, among others—fulfill these obligations, even though they have been benefiting for years from the preferences granted under agreements with the European Union. Arkadiusz Mularczyk expressed hope that the upcoming public hearing in the DROI Subcommittee would mark the beginning of a broader debate and a resolution on this matter. “I call for a reasonable, balanced assessment of the report and support for amendments that strengthen our values and protect the sovereignty and interests of the European Union and its member states,” emphasized the PiS MEP.
