Mr President, Marietje Schaake's report is truly important, and it is in this context that I would like to raise the situation in Ethiopia, where there are hundreds of journalists in jail, among thousands of political prisoners.

President Barroso was recently in Ethiopia. What did he do? Did he press for their release? Why do we not know anything about that? Why do we not hear the EU saying anything about the horrific crimes committed by the Ethiopian military and paramilitary forces against the civilian population in the Ogaden region, about which I have sent a report to you, Commissioner Piebalgs?

Are you aware that in Angola - where we have a joint forward agreement that is supposed to bring to the table civil society, i.e. the people who are defending human rights and fighting against corruption - journalist Rafael Marques de Morais has had criminal charges brought against him by the Government for publishing the book Blood Diamonds: Corruption and Torture in Angola about horrific crimes against the people in the Lunda provinces, the diamond-rich area? Why is the EU silent? This question is very relevant in the context of our debate today and I want to hear the reply.