Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2013-02-06-Speech-3-607-000"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20130206.37.3-607-000"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, I witnessed the attempt on the leader’s life at the recent congress of Bulgaria’s Movement for Rights and Freedoms. That incident of itself might not justify this debate; the reaction to it by the Bulgarian authorities makes it imperative.
It was first announced that the attacker, armed with a gas pistol and two knives, would be charged with attempted murder. A few hours later, the Interior Minister asked the judiciary to press only minor charges. Attempts were made to trivialise the incident. A charge of hooliganism and a death threat is not sufficient for an attack of this nature, particularly since the Procurator General has today suggested that the attacker did not act alone.
Questions should be asked about the security arrangements for the conference. Two letters from the party to the Interior Ministry requesting adequate security went unanswered, and the attack showed protection to be severely lacking.
We have long been concerned about Bulgaria’s judiciary. The Veneta Markovska affair and a controversial judicial appointment have heightened that concern. The European Commission’s verification report last July highlighted worries about judicial independence and about the commitment to and direction of reform, in particular the postponement of the new penal code. It is disgraceful for Mr Weber to suggest, in support of a rogue party in his increasingly cynical political family, that this debate is about an election campaign. The sad fact is that the key institutions of justice do not command public confidence in Bulgaria. The Liberal Democrats welcome Commissioner Malmström’s commitment to follow the trial. As with Commissioner Reding’s action in Hungary, this House expects no less. But the Commission must insist, too, on a full investigation, of which the results must be made public.
The Commission will shortly give the Council an oral update on progress under the cooperation and verification mechanism. Such an update could usefully be given here too. Bulgaria’s people are on the right path, but leadership is lacking. We expect Bulgaria to attain and live up to EU standards of justice, and we urge the Union and its Member States to redouble their efforts to help Bulgaria in this task."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
"(The speaker accepted to take a blue-card question under Rule 149(8))"1
|
| lpv:videoURI |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples