Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-13-Speech-2-195"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2004-01-13"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:EU aid to Iran following the earthquake2
dcterms:Language	"sv"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20040113.8.2-195"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2004-01-13-Speech-2-1962
lpv:speaker	lp:Cecilia Malmström2
lpv:spokenAs	unknown; Folkpartiet liberalerna (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2004-04-30)3 substitute; AFCO (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and Mexico (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 vice-chair; Delegation to the EU-Hungary Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-06--2004-04-30)3 member_of_the_bureau; ELDR (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Madam President, Commissioner Nielson, it was naturally with great consternation that we heard the appalling news of the earthquake in Bam. Right in the middle of the Christmas holidays, the TV screens were filled with horrific pictures of dead and injured people and of thousands of people desperately searching for their relatives in a city in ruins. On behalf of the Group of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party, I wish to express our condolences to, and deepest sympathy with, the Iranian people at this difficult time. Naturally, the EU should continue its work with the Iranian authorities to help those affected obtain care, roofs over their heads and other necessities. We should also help with the reconstruction of the beautiful historic city. Our concern for, and solidarity with, the Iranian people also extends to their access to democracy and human rights. The Group of the Europe Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party is very concerned about these areas. There is still a lot to be done, because the Iranian regime is anything but democratic. Serious attacks on women, minorities, opposition members and dissidents are unfortunately part of everyday life. We are extremely concerned about the latest development and the Council of Guardians’ involvement in the forthcoming election. By not accepting thousands of candidates throughout the country – more than half of those who have put their names forward – Iran’s Council of Guardians is again showing its unwillingness to reform the Iranian system of government. Classifying the rejects as a bunch of criminals in view of the fact that they have had contacts with, for example, a number of groups disliked by the Council of Guardians rings hollow. On that logic, a quarter of the legislators already sitting would be criminals. If Iran wants ever to be counted among the democratic states, it must accept that political legitimacy is obtained from the people in free elections, not through the ayatollahs’ capricious interpretation of the will of God. Just like everyone else, the Iranian people wants democracy and human rights. We in the ELDR Group would call upon the Iranian leaders not to interfere in the election but to allow the candidates to stand so that the election is as fair and open as possible. In that connection, I want, like my fellow MEPs, to call upon the Commission to strengthen and develop the human rights dialogue with Iran. It must be something more than just polite chit-chat. If it is to be meaningful, it must be clear, persistent and consistent and also be evaluated on a regular basis. I hope that you, Commissioner Nielson, together with Commissioner Patten and Mr Solana, will be able to act in such a way as to inject new life into these discussions, partly in the light of the work on getting Iran to ratify and implement the Non-Proliferation Agreement."@en1

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