Near and Middle East
As Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Arabian Peninsula and a close partner of women and human rights organisations in Iraq, Afghanistan or Iran, I often travel to the Near and Middle East. Talking to those in power there is often a balancing act. We need to exchange with them, for example, to organise humanitarian aid or to fight the climate crisis. But it is just as important to clearly name those who commit human rights violations, to support civil society on the ground and to show solidarity with those who stand up for democracy and human rights, even when faced with tough opposition. For me, one thing is clear: a values-driven foreign policy tries to do justice to these different goals as best as it can.
And in doing so, we must not omit another issue: Worldwide, most military equipment is exported to the Near and Middle East. If you need proof that more weapons do not lead to more peace and security, countries like Yemen, Syria or Afghanistan are the best examples. In this context, we must critically rethink our own export policy.
In August, the Taliban promised to respect women's rights and press freedom. But these announcements have proven to be empty words. At the same time, the EU has done too little to push for necessary evacuations. My plenary speech:
I travelled to Iraq at the end of March 2022. After music had been virtually eradicated from the city for a long time, the Mosul Traditional Music Festival was now taking place. Learn more about my trip in this interview:
As Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Arabian Peninsula, I issued a statement on the attacks.
Cooperation in the energy sector, the EU's role in regional security and the impact of the Ukraine war on EU-Gulf relations: These were some of the issues I raised at yesterday's hearing.
My visit to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: I participated in a silent march against racism under the motto "Racism kills." Afterwards, I put on my rubber boots to do conservation work to protect the Buddenhagen marshland.
A meeting with finalists of the Sakharov Prize, my workshop on "Solidarity with Afghan Women MEPs" and many touching moments: Read here what I experienced at the "Afghan Women Days" in the European Parliament.
Despite Corona, I was able to visit the Gulf region again. Read more about my visit to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq in this article!
Human rights activists in the United Arab Emirates who dare to speak up often end up behind bars. One of them is Ahmad Mansoor. More in my plenary speech:
The EU betrays the foundations on which its foreign policy stands: the trust of the local partners and the commitment to human rights. You can read more about my plenary speech in this article.
Nowhere in European policy wishes and reality are so far apart as in foreign and security policy. This has been proven most recently in Afghanistan – my demands:
Since the Taliban took over, the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan has been steadily deteriorating. Europe must finally take responsibility. More on this in my speech in the Human Rights Committee:
The situation in Afghanistan is constantly changing. Here you will find an overview of the viewpoints I have shared when being interviewed by various media.
