October 16, 2024
Brussels, Belgium – A pivotal meeting held on October 16th, 2024, brought together key figures, including MEP Hana Jalloul Muro, APA Sabrin Yermak Moumen, Gamaal El Attar (CEO of the International Federation for Rights and Development), and external communication officer Kaye Van Loon, to discuss pressing human rights issues in Palestine and the MENA region.
Humanitarian Crisis in Palestine and Saudi Arabia’s Role
Gamaal El Attar opened the meeting by emphasizing the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Palestine and the critical need for members of the European Parliament to address the situation. He highlighted ongoing human rights violations in Palestine and called for international intervention. El Attar also raised concerns about Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the region, noting that the Kingdom not only engages in modern slavery but also supports Israel’s military actions in Iran. Despite these issues, European dependency on Saudi oil and gas allows these practices to continue unchecked.
Hana Jalloul on Sports Washing and EU Hypocrisy
Building on El Attar’s points, MEP Hana Jalloul Muro addressed the issue of “sports washing”—a tactic used by regimes like Saudi Arabia to host major international sporting events and distract from their human rights abuses. Jalloul criticized the European Union’s inconsistent approach, noting that while the EU holds some nations accountable, it often ignores similar abuses in the MENA region.
She further condemned the EU for failing to attach clear human rights conditions when providing aid or engaging in trade deals with countries in the region, stressing, “We send money, but it’s not helping.” Jalloul called for stronger conditionality, particularly when European funds are involved.
Double Standards and Migration
Jalloul also criticized the EU’s selective criticism of global actors, pointing out its quick condemnation of Russia while remaining silent on similar behaviors by other nations, particularly in the Middle East. She argued, “If you criticize one thing, like Russia, you have to criticize the other things.”
On migration, Jalloul rejected the narrative that it is an uncontrollable crisis, emphasizing the need for proper support for affected countries. She called attention to Europe’s exploitation of resources and labor in these regions, which exacerbates the crises driving migration. “There are no numbers to support the so-called migration problem,” she said, underscoring that addressing root causes would be far more effective than blocking migrants.
Next Steps
Both Gamaal El Attar and Hana Jalloul agreed that increasing awareness and understanding of these issues within the European Parliament is critical for future advocacy and policy changes. El Attar committed to providing Jalloul with additional reports on modern slavery in Saudi Arabia, updates regarding the EU-GCC summit, and a position paper by the following Tuesday.
For further information, please contact:
Kaye Van Loon
External Communication Officer, IFRD
Email: info@ifrd.be
