“The hypocrisy of the leftists cannot be hidden. The European Parliament member and leader of the Svoboda list, Irena Joveva, recently voted in Brussels against the extension of the measure to fight child sexual abuse online, while at the same time publicly advocating for children’s rights in Gaza. She herself “warns” about the rise of “right-wing populism”, while perversely “unnoticeably” voting for sexual predators, but in confrontations she presents herself as a fighter for human rights. Is the perverted LGBT agenda and the sexualization of children so important to the leftists that they would even allow child abuse and pedophilia?”

You read a part of an article by some “media”. You know, the first one in the service of “truth”. It was towards the end of May 2024. A good two weeks before the European elections. They never had any real arguments to slander, so they just made them up. Or manipulated them. It was easier to hit below the belt, saying “Joveva, a politician and mother, supports child sexual abuse”.

And today? Today, they suddenly understand that a real fight against pedophilia is possible without spying on absolutely everyone. Today, of course, they also suddenly do not mention that I was the only one from Slovenia who voted against it at the time. It was about relaxing the rules directly related to the CSAM regulation, which is known as “chat control” today.

At that time, I was even asked about it on our national television. I came to a youth event on the future of the EU, and I was asked if I had really voted against the fight against child sexual abuse. I admit that I was outraged at the time. Outraged that a certain propaganda machine – as it has so many times before – had succeeded again.

And today? Today, I am so very happy that I can share with you this very statement of mine from back then. Because today, it is just one more proof that I am not one of those people who decide as they see fit at the moment. That I do not say – or do – something just because it is popular at that moment.

And today …. when I receive dozens of emails a day from rightly concerned people, what do I think about the “chat control” legislation, I think to myself… good morning. Orwell would be proud.

I don’t. Can you imagine someone from Whatsapp, a third party, reading your messages, looking at your photos and recordings – just in case?

Can you imagine? A photo of your child in a swimsuit that you send to your grandmother ends up in some global “control archive”. Or an intimate message to your partner. And then some Facebook employee can see it. Or, worse, it ends up in the hands of someone you don’t even want to know. Or someone who then uses it. For revenge, for pleasure, for… whatever. This is not security, this is a recipe for disaster. This is the end of encryption, the end of privacy and the largest archive of intimate content on the Internet. Something that criminals and pedophiles can’t wait for, by the way! A measure that is supposed to protect children, would actually expose both children and all of us even more. Because, wait, it’s about child safety. Irony in all its glory.

Today we would read messages “for the protection of children”. Tomorrow they will be read “for the security of the country”. And the day after tomorrow?

Let me be clear as always. Pedophilia must be prosecuted without mercy. That is why we have already adopted stricter penalties in the EU. But at the same time, I am convinced that the solution is not algorithms that will simply comb through everything we privately send to someone. The solution is awareness-raising, education of children and parents, effective work of the police and courts, strict legislation. And of course – clear rules that also protect our privacy.

“Chat control”? “Chat control” is a dangerous farce and as long as I am in the European Parliament, I will do everything to prevent it.

Anyone who believes that mass surveillance will protect children, believes in fairy tales. And this fairy tale in particular, is one without happy ending. Privacy is our right.

Where are you now, those of you who asked yourself a year ago, who am I protecting? Now I ask you. Who are you protecting? Who were you protecting yesterday, who are you protecting today, and who will you be protecting tomorrow?

– Irena

Dear youth,

I believe that you have all already fully stepped into the year 2024. Just like us.

The first plenary session of the year, where I spoke about the state of media freedom in Greece, is behind us. A country that is historically known as the cradle of democracy, but today, unfortunately, is anything but that. That is why I am not silent and that is why we must monitor the implementation of European media legislation there as well. Because I do not want the cradle of democracy to become its graveyard.

On the day when South Africa presented its arguments in its lawsuit against Israel, I publicly announced that I had addressed letters to the authorities at the European Commission with specific questions and demands. They have six weeks to respond. Because I want the EU as a totality to have as much political power, to call Israel’s actions in Gaza by their right name. THIS. IS. GENOCIDE.

You also know about my efforts for Slovenian in the digital world. It may sometimes seem as if nothing is happening, but that is not true. Unfortunately, it is moving slowly, but now I have come to terms with the procedures in the European institutions, because … it is better to start and persist than to do nothing, right? It is moving, it really is. The two competent European Commissioners have responded to my letter regarding the need to revise the European Directive on Audiovisual Media Services. They assured me that they will be happy to include me in further procedures, and thanks to their response, we now have a piece of paper: the ban on linguistic discrimination WILL be legally established at the European level. Because I want our mother tongue to be respected as it deserves.

Yes, the European elections are just around the corner, but I prefer to direct my energy towards what I can still do through my work. For you. My will to work has not and will not change – regardless of the period (before the elections) we are in. Because, you know … we are not all the same.

Irena

12 plenary sessions. 21 plenary speeches. Hours and hours of voting, meetings, debates. Finding compromises. Insisting on things that I knew had to stay or be accepted in the texts. Dozens of amendments and appeals tabled or co-signed. No less important coordination within committees and in the framework of trilogues, which often dragged on late into the night …

…and another calendar year has passed. I hope you had a great time celebrating the start of a new one. I am opening these doors for another year, more experienced, but no less driven. I remain firmly grounded, while remaining true to my principles, to myself, and – to you.

I became Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Public Health. For the first time in the European Parliament, we really, honestly and loudly spoke about the importance of mental health, and advocated for the elimination of stigma and the promotion of the normalization of help-seeking in our society.

I was appointed as the Parliament’s lead rapporteur for the revision of the legislation on population and housing statistics. As rapporteur for my political group, I also played a significant role in shaping the European Media Freedom Act. In the adopted text, we stipulated for the first time at EU level that Member States should not interfere in editorial policy. The act also ensures sufficient and predictable funding for public media and measures against surveillance of journalists.

I continued – and continue! – to fight against discrimination against the Slovenian language in the digital world. I met with representatives of multinationals, addressed a written question to the European Commission regarding discrimination against the official languages of the Union, initiated negotiations with them on the revision of the relevant European legislation, and participated in the Culture Committee of the National Assembly, where I received unanimous support for my efforts in this area.

With combined efforts of my Renew Europe political group and the challenging search for compromises within the European Parliament, we have voted and adopted important measures for the future of the Union, sometimes with only a narrow majority.

Achievements in the field of the environment include the Nature Restoration Act, which will cover at least 20 percent of land and sea areas, the Renewable Energy Directive, and the establishment of a carbon border adjustment mechanism.

The only predictability of nature is its unpredictability. This summer we experienced the worst natural disaster in the history of Slovenia. With the European Union Solidarity Fund, we provided money for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure.

We have taken steps to reduce the use of plastic. I know that some measures are annoying many people in their daily lives, but in this case, something is better than nothing. Unless we really want seas of plastic instead of animals in them. Truth be told, we are already not that far from that. With the Packaging Regulation, we intend to reduce the amount of packaging and encourage the reuse of materials.

As regards job creation, I was actively involved as one of the parliamentary negotiators in the adoption of the report on job creation for a just transition, which aims to transform existing jobs into green and sustainable jobs. We voted on the Pay Transparency Directive and the Platform Workers Directive, which will – I hope – contribute to creating safer working conditions for many workers.

In the field of culture, I was one of the parliamentary negotiators when it came to the social and professional situation of artists in the cultural sector. We confirmed their position with the legislative framework, as they need to establish (at least) minimum standards for working conditions.

When it comes to consumer rights, we have taken the necessary steps. By introducing the right to repair, repairs will be more affordable compared to buying new goods.

We have actively sought more opportunities for young people. In the report on the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps programme, as one of the negotiators, I called for more engagement when it comes to young people, following the principle of nothing about young people without young people. I advocated for an increase in funding for the programme in question, as well as for the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes.

With the legislative resolution on quality inernships, we have finally (!!!) put an end to unpaid internships for young people. We have called on the Commission to propose a directive on quality internships, which will ensure adequate compensation for interns. I push the boundaries where I can, which is why last year we continued the practice of paid internships in our office, giving five young people a multi-month internship experience that will be very useful when entering the competitive job market.

Meanwhile, technology is advancing at such an incredible speed that it is really difficult for a human – let alone legislation – to keep up. However, the use of artificial intelligence will now be regulated by the historic Artificial Intelligence Act, which is the first comprehensive legislation in this area in the world. With the act, we ensure safety, transparency and environmentally friendly artificial intelligence systems.

Although in the field of expansion we seem to be operating on the principle of two steps forward and one step back, the European Parliament has called on the Union to start accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine. The same applies to Bosnia and Herzegovina, provided that this country implements certain reforms. However, I would like to draw attention to double standards once again. At the November meeting between MEPs and members of the Macedonian Parliament, I stressed that North Macedonia in particular, as well as the Western Balkans in general, deserve a better fate. And a fair, honest relationship.

Throughout the year, I spoke about my work and current European issues and opportunities for young people with young people from Domžale, Kranj, Ljubljana, Logatec, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Portorož, Velenje. In the special “MEP Shadowing” programme, I participated in the voluntary work of learning the Slovenian language for participants from Ukraine. Through the story of a young Palestinian man whose house was invaded by the Israeli army, I took to the stage in the play “Without Hope, with Hope”, which was performed in the European Parliament.

Unfortunately, a few months later, this staging turned into an even sadder and more tragic reality on the ground. Sanctions against Israel should have been inevitable, as should the advocacy of a policy of peace. Meanwhile, the War in Ukraine entered its second year. We have been following the rise of illiberal democracies after the elections in Slovakia and the Netherlands. I do not want such a Union, such a world.

As part of my international activities, I visited Poland as part of a parliamentary delegation of the Committee on Culture and Education, where I learned about the state of the country in the field of freedom of the media, culture and education. A closer look revealed that in Poland, law and justice operate exclusively according to government criteria, led by the ironically eponymous party.

I also participated in the Internet Governance Forum meeting held in Kyoto, Japan. As a panelist, I spoke at the discussion on the fight against disinformation and hate speech.

Despite some opposition, we secured an additional, ninth Slovenian seat in the European Parliament, which will increase your representation, the representation of Slovenian citizens in the Union.

None of the above would have been possible without your valuable support. Your advice, praise, and even criticism… you are the driving force behind my efforts. That is why this year, as every year, I will make every effort to ensure that your voice is heard in the European Parliament – for you – for your and our shared, better future.

– Irena

Photo: EP/Alain Rolland

It’s November 29th.

No, I won’t write about the holiday of the former commonwealth, which some of you may have thought of now.

I will write about today’s international day, which is marked by uncertainty, worry, pain, death, injustice, but also by tenacious determination and hope for a better tomorrow.

Today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Already marked in the past by violent unilateral actions by Israel, which have led to forced evictions, demolitions of Palestinian homes, restrictions on movement and deadly attacks. Already marked in the past by a longing for an end to the occupation. Segregation. With the hope that the international community will finally take action.

Today is also the day when – unless otherwise agreed at the negotiations in Qatar – the six-day ceasefire between Hamas and Israel expires, and the related exchange of hostages and prisoners.

But what will happen tomorrow? What will the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People be like next year? What kind of solidarity is that?

Today is marked by the United Nations. If, under the cloak of patronizing solidarity and fine slogans, there are real efforts for justice and peace, the same United Nations should at least consistently respect its adopted resolutions. Especially the one that envisages the establishment of two separate states in the area of the former British mandate.

The only guarantee for the safety of all civilians and lasting peace in the Middle East lies in a permanent ceasefire, a sincere return of the State of Israel to the peace process, and the formulation of a peace plan that will lead to the final establishment and international recognition of yet another state that has the right to exist: the State of Palestine.

– Irena

Photo: – EP Alexis Haulot/EP