On Thursday, 1 February 2018, the Brussels International Center for Research and Human Rights organized a conference in the European Parliament tackling the Gulf diplomatic crisis and the financing of terrorism. The conference focused on the issue of funding individuals and terrorist groups because of the utmost importance it represents to the European Parliament and the European Union. Speakers also discussed the consequences of the diplomatic crisis in the Arabian Gulf and its impact on the region's population.
The conference’s opening statement was given by Mrs. Rachida Dati, a member of the European Parliament and the former French Minister of Justice, who questioned the commitment of some countries towards the implementation of their strategies in combating terrorism financing. She also praised the outstanding efforts and successes of the HEDAYAH Center and the level of research and activities organized within or outside the United Arab Emirates.
In his speech, Mr. Ramadan AbuJazar, Director of the Brussels international Center, spoke of the need to establish an independent and transparent commission of inquiry on the issue of terrorist financing and that he expected to make positive recommendations and establish a strong and clear role for the EU in this issue.
The conference was attended by high-level speakers, most notably H.E Dr. Ali Rashid Al-Nuaimi, Chairman of the Hedayah International Center for Countering Violent Extremism, who praised the role of the Brussels international Center for Research and Human Rights in launching this high-level event and attracting delegates, diplomats and personalities with a strong impact on European society.
Among the attendees were ambassadors and experts from European and international research centers. H.E Dr. Alnuaimi summarized the current situation of the diplomatic crisis in the Gulf region and highlighted the main sources of funding for terrorist groups and how to combat them.
Keynote speakers also included Ambassador John Gatt-Rutter, Head of the Counter terrorism Division of the European External Action Service, who stated that clear and serious steps must be taken to combat terrorist attacks on our countries and people, the importance of developing laws relevant to this crisis and the urgent need for support and coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Mr. Hiltermann, Crisis Group Program Director, provided a historical and geopolitic al analysis on the GCC crisis and warned against conflating terrorism with political opposition.
BIC-RHR will prepare an outcome report on the conference, summarizing the event’s main intakes and listing final recommendations.