Omar Harfouch to address the EU Parliament on the future of Lebanon

In the face of Lebanon’s ongoing turmoil, Omar Harfouch is scheduled to share his insights at a conference entitled “The Role of the European Union in Advancing Human Rights in Lebanon”, hosted by the EU Parliament on 27th June 2023.The stability and peace of Lebanon are of paramount importance to the broader region, starting with its immediate neighbors including Syria, Israel and near neighbors such as Cyprus.

As the European Union continues to contribute significant funding to Lebanon, the hardships experienced by the Lebanese people bring an urgent need for both an understanding and resolution of the ongoing crisis, focusing on humanitarian aspects.

EU Funding to Lebanon – A vested interest

European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, recently announced a €60 million humanitarian aid package during his visit to Lebanon. Aimed at the most vulnerable populations within the country, the funding is a response to escalating poverty levels, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks. Currently, around 4 million people in Lebanon, including 1.5 million displaced Syrians and 2.2 million vulnerable Lebanese, require humanitarian assistance. This recent aid package will facilitate life-saving provisions like food assistance, cash support, education, health services and emergency response preparations.

This aid continues the EU’s commitment to supporting Lebanon, with total humanitarian funding since 2011 now approaching €860 million. Despite this substantial aid, the country’s political and economic crisis continues to intensify, leading to widespread poverty, collapsing public services, and growing community tensions. Lenarčič notes that while humanitarian aid is crucial, it is not a long-term solution to Lebanon’s challenges.

Participants’ overview

Lukas Mandl

Austrian-born Lukas Mandl is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the European Parliament. He is vice-chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and a member of the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Civil Liberties & Justice.

Ghada Aoun

Ghada Aoun, born to a Christian family from the town of Damour, fled her town with her family following the 1976 Damour massacre. She embarked on her career journey in 1981 post graduating with a law degree and was appointed Mount Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor in 2017. Judge Aoun has relentlessly pursued corruption probes against senior Lebanese political figures and financial establishment members during the economic crisis that started in 2019.

William Bourdon

Paris Bar lawyer William Bourdon specializes in criminal law, focusing on economic crime, communications law and human rights. He founded Sherpa, an organization dedicated to “defending the victims of crimes committed by economic operators” in 2001. Bourdon’s extensive experience includes being the Secretary General of the International Federation of Human Rights from 1995 to 2000.

Nathalie Goulet

Nathalie Goulet serves as the Senator for Orne (Normandy) and is also a member of the Paris Bar. She is the Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on Constitutional Law, Legislation, Universal Suffrage, the Rules of Procedure and General Administration, and a member of the French Delegations to the O.S.C.E. and NATO Parliamentary Assemblies.

Omar Harfouch’s vision for Lebanon

Omar Harfouch, a pianist-composer, businessman and politician residing in Paris, is deeply committed to Lebanon, his native country. Harfouch has been actively involved in women’s rights, the environment, the rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and the fight against corruption. In addition, Harfouch supports economic peace with Israel, following historic agreements on the maritime border and Lebanon’s de facto recognition of Israel, as well as the normalization with Syria and the return of Syrian refugees to their home country.

Giovanni Kessler

Italian magistrate and politician Giovanni Kessler has devoted his career to fighting corruption, organized and transnational crime, with a specific focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Kessler has served in various capacities, including public prosecutor, high commissioner for combating counterfeiting, president of the Council of the Autonomous Province of Trento, and director of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

Claude Moniquet

Claude Moniquet, a retired French journalist and former intelligence officer with the French General Directorate for External Security (DGSE), currently heads the European Strategic Intelligence and Security Center (ESISC). He specializes in human intelligence operations, terrorism analysis, security issues, and geopolitics.

Harfouch’s pursuit of reform and harmony

Harfouch is an advocate for peace and reconciliation in the region. In a recent gathering, notable for its global support and attendance, Omar Harfouch found backing from the “International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism” (LICRA) and French Senate member Nathalie Goulet. One of the meeting’s focal points was a complex law that inadvertently affects Lebanese citizens who unintentionally come into contact with any Israeli. Many attendees appreciated Harfouch’s dedication to fostering dialogue and progress in human rights and against corruption in Lebanon. This worldwide affirmation for Harfouch and the Lebanese people signals a potential shift towards greater equality for women and tolerance of all religious minorities in building Lebanon’s future.