Cooperation between DG ECHO and non-governmental organisations with close links to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas
27.4.2021
Question for written answer E-002253/2021/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Nicola Beer (Renew)
The Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) includes in its list of non-governmental organisations certified as EU humanitarian partners for the period 2021-2027 Islamic Relief Germany and Islamic Relief Sweden. In 2017 and 2019, the German Federal Government stated that there were significant personnel connections between Islamic Relief Germany and the Muslim Brotherhood[1].
Additionally, Islamic Relief Germany and Islamic Relief Sweden are cooperation partners of Islamic Relief Worldwide, which was banned by the Israeli authorities in 2014 for being part of the Hamas funding apparatus. Again, there are close personnel connections between Islamic Relief Germany and Islamic Relief Worldwide. Board members of Islamic Relief Germany, for example, also occupy executive positions at Islamic Relief Worldwide[2].
- 1.Is the Commission aware of the links between Islamic Relief Germany and Islamic Relief Sweden and the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas? If not, will it start an investigation?
- 2.What are the mechanisms at the Commission to review and rule out cooperation with non-governmental organisations with links to terrorist or antisemitic organisations?
- 3.Can the Commission guarantee that it will immediately end funding for and cooperation with non-governmental organisations with links to terrorist or antisemitic organisations?