Iraqi MEP faces racist taunts after European Parliament immigration vote

BRUSSELS — An Iraqi-origin member of the European Parliament said she felt unsafe in the chamber following a vote on legislation to accelerate the deportation of irregular migrants, prompting calls for sanctions against two right-wing lawmakers. Abir al-Sahlani, a Swedish-Iraqi member of the European Parliament, told colleagues she had never felt as insecure in the chamber as she did during the session. The remarks drew online taunts from Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen, who shared a clip of her speech on social media with the comment "cry more," and Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm, who wrote "go back to your country" beneath the post. Sahlani described the comments as overt racism. Storm rejected the accusation, saying he had only meant to suggest that Sahlani should leave the chamber. Renew Europe group leader Valérie Hayer requested that the parliament's president impose sanctions on the two lawmakers. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the allegations of verbal attacks would be examined. No further details on the review were immediately available.