FEMYSO is saddened to see the false allegations made by Mr Michaël Privot in a series of videos with Global Watch Analysis published on YouTube in April 2020 which were only recently brought up to our attention. We believe that these allegations are designed solely to undermine and defame our organisation. The specific claims in this case have been directly addressed in our March 2019 statement which can be found on our website.
Global Watch Analysis is a far-right anti-Muslim initiative set up last year, which aims to map active and practicing Muslim individuals and Muslim organisations to undermine and defame them, under their written mission of “counter-terrorism” and “resistance to extremism”. They are actively contributing to the shrinking civic space in Europe which the European Union and Council of Europe are actively working against. This is not the first time that Global Watch Analysis has attempted to target FEMYSO with false allegations with the aim of damaging the reputation of a pan-European youth organisation.
We are therefore truly disappointed to see malicious claims against FEMYSO made by Michaël. These allegations are nothing more but unsubstantiated presumptions by a defamatory platform which has actively harmed the work of civil society organisations through the dissemination of dangerous Islamophobic rhetoric. While we recognise Michaël’s valuable efforts with FEMYSO, we are sad he has felt the need to promote his book by maligning the great work that dedicated young European Muslims do, because they believe in a vibrant and cohesive Europe. We find it unfortunate that Michaël remembers only his disagreements with board members and not the fantastic work he took part in which was recognised by European and other international institutions that FEMYSO has done at the local, national and international level.
We wish Michaël well and recognise the personal distress he has been going through for many years where the organisation has always tried to support him. FEMYSO will continue to offer any support he needs and will be there for him. Islamophobic agenda driven organisations such as Global Watch Analysis, which have the sole objective of maligning mainstream European Muslim organisations, should not take advantage of individuals for their own ends and should be ashamed of trying to peddle hate, misinformation and division. We therefore hope that Michaël will be far wiser in not spreading Islamophobic claims and content which lead to defaming Muslim organisations.
FEMYSO, which has a broad membership in 20 European countries, is entirely run by young volunteers who are brought together by their shared European and Muslim identity. Since our founding in 1996 as an outcome of a conference hosted by the Swedish government, we have been a key partner for European institutions, numerous civil society organisations and have worked tirelessly to encourage positive contributions by Muslim youth in all of our societies. This is testament to our commitment and efforts to promote active citizenship, co-existence, and European values in all of our work throughout our 24 years of existence.
Our sole objective is to work for a diverse, cohesive, and vibrant Europe. Our organisation reserves the right to take legal action against organisations and individuals making false allegations.
Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations
[ENDS]
Notes
- FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 20 European countries, and is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.
- For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org.