Parliamentary breakfast on the human rights situation and security in the Middle East – Iran and Lebanon
With Masih Alinejad, Faisal Saeed al Mutar and Ahmad Omeirate
Parliamentary breakfast under the auspices of Renata Alt, Chairwoman of the Committee on Human Rights, organized by the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation in cooperation with the Association Women for Freedom and the Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin
On November 8, 2024, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., Paul-Löbe-Haus, Berlin
While reporting on the Middle East often focuses on Israel, the momentous current developments in other countries such as Lebanon are being neglected: The Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) not only attacks Israel, but has been interfering in countries such as Yemen, Syria and Lebanon with its terrorist militias for years. The consequences are destabilization, serious human rights violations, armed conflicts and refugee movements.
The dilemma between providing necessary aid and inadvertently strengthening Iran's influence is particularly evident in Lebanon. Western governments are negotiating with the Iranian regime and supporting projects in those countries where Iranian proxy actors such as Hezbollah are gaining strength and democratic forces are dwindling.
Just this month, the German Federal Foreign Office released an additional 96 million euros in humanitarian and development aid for Lebanon, in addition to previous border protection and humanitarian aid. The EU is announcing a package of one billion euros for the period 2024-2027.
We would like to discuss current developments in Iran, their impact on the region using the example of Lebanon, and possible solutions for foreign policy with three proven experts on the region.
The event will be held in English.
Masih Alinejad is probably the best-known Iranian dissident, living in the United States. As a women's rights activist, she amplifies the voice of the freedom movement in Iran and analyzes the regime's influence worldwide. Just recently, the FBI uncovered a plot by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to kill Alinejad.
Faisal Saeed al Mutar is an expert on development cooperation in the entire MENA region. His organization “Ideas beyond Borders” develops concepts for functioning aid with a view to strengthening democratic forces in the region and countering the power of the IRI and its partners.
Ahmad Omeirate has been dealing with developments in Lebanon and its networks in Germany for years. As a specialist in organized crime and Islamism, he observes the interactions between foreign and domestic policy with regard to the security situation in Lebanon and Germany.
Our policy paper on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards can be found here (link).
