Category: Statements

Brussels, 13 July 2026  

To the President of the European Parliament, Secretary General and Members of the Bureau,    

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, members of the European Parliament, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, express our serious concern regarding public claims that the European Parliament has decided to exclude the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) from its activities, beginning with the European Youth Event (EYE). 

At the time of this open letter, we have not received official confirmation from the European Parliament on such decision. However, the announcement made publicly by Member of the European Parliament Marion Maréchal raises serious concerns about transparency, due process, and the principles of inclusion and participation that European institutions have committed to uphold; going against article 2 and 11 of the Treaty of European Union and EU Civil Society strategy. 

If confirmed, this decision would represent a deeply troubling development. We are not aware of any precedent in which a youth organisation has been excluded from participation in the European Parliament in this manner. The exclusion of a European Muslim youth organisation from a flagship youth participation initiative would risk further marginalising an already underrepresented community, having a chilling effect and would send a concerning message about the place of minority voices in European civic life. 

Such decision would also raise serious questions regarding the European Parliament’s commitment to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, including the principles of equality before the law, non-discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, freedom of association, and the right of all citizens and civil society organisations to participate meaningfully in the democratic life.  

FEMYSO has been a longstanding partner of the European Parliament’s youth engagement initiatives. Since 2016, the organisation has participated in every edition of the European Youth Event, contributing to discussions, activities, and the broader success of this important platform for young people across Europe. FEMYSO has also collaborated with European institutions on initiatives aimed at strengthening youth participation and democratic engagement. 

Over recent years, FEMYSO has also been subjected to repeated harassment, intimidation and campaigns seeking to delegitimise its participation in the European Youth Event and other institutional spaces. Throughout this period, European Parliament acknowledged these concerns and communicated its commitment to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment in which all accredited participants could engage free from harassment and discrimination. If confirmed, this decision would effectively allow harassment to determine participation, rewarding intimidation instead of protecting those targeted by it. It also risks legitimising narratives that seek to exclude and stigmatise Muslim organisations and could contribute to the broader shrinking of civic space for minority and youth voices across Europe.  

We therefore call on the European Parliament to provide urgent clarification regarding the reported decision, on what grounds it was taken, the process through which it was reached, and how it is consistent with the European Parliament’s obligations under the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. We request the disclosure of the 6^th of July meeting minutes and the Secretary General’s 2027 EYE Concept Note. We further call on the European Parliament to uphold its commitment to protect participants from harassment, safeguard civic space, and ensure that all youth organisations are able to participate in democratic processes free from discrimination.  

[END]   

Signatories: 

1. #DiasporaVote! 

2. Academia Cidadã/Citizenship Academy (Portugal) 

3. Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) 

4. Collectif Contre l’islamophobie en Europe (CCIE) 

5. COMEX ARC 

6. Committee for National and International Relations of Youth and Non-formal Education Organisations (CNAJEP) 

7. Consejo de la Juventud de España (CJE) 

8. Dalla Parte Giusta della Storia 

9. Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe (EYCE) 

10. Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice 

11. Erasmus Student Network (ESN) 

12. European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network 

13. European Bureau for Conscientious Objection to Military Service (EBCO-BEOC)  

14. European Civic Forum (ECF) 

15. European Disability Forum (EDF) 

16. European Network Against Racism (ENAR) 

17. European Students’ Union (ESU) 

18. Fédération des associations générales étudiantes (FAGE) 

19. Fantapolitica 

20. Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG) 

21. Human Rights Watch (HRW) 

22. International Falcon Movement – Socialist Educational International (IFM-SEI)  

23. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) 

24. Kif Kif vzw 

25. L’APEStE, association des parents et des enfants de Strasbourg et l’Eurométropole — Front de Mères Strasbourg 

26. Ligali 

27. No Hate Speech Network (NHSN) 

28. No Name Kitchen (NNK) 

29. Observatoire des camps de réfugiés  

30. Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) 

31. Portuguese Platform of Development NGOs 

32. SOLIDAR 

33. ternYpe – International Roma Youth Network 

34. Union of Justice 

35. Vocify 

36. World Student Christian Federation in Europe (WSCF) 

37. Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) 

38. Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) 

39. MEP Benedetta Scuderi (Greens/EFA) 

40. MEP Lynn Boylan (The LEFT) 

41. MEP Bricmont Saskia (Greens/EFA) 

42. MEP Rima Hassan (The LEFT) – Co-chair of the Anti-racism and diversity intergroup of the European Parliament (ARDI) 

43. MEP Rudi Kennes (The LEFT) 

44. MEP Mélissa Camara (Greens/EFA) – Co-chair of the Anti-racism and diversity intergroup of the European Parliament (ARDI)  

45. United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues – Nicolas Levrat, as an Independent mandate holder from the UN Human Rights Council 

Notes:      

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network of 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 European countries. It is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.       

2. Hate and discrimination have no place in Europe

3. EYE 2025 Policy Recommendations

4. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org.

Pour diffusion immédiate

Bruxelles, le 8 juillet 2026

Le Forum des Organisations Européennes Musulmanes de Jeunes et d’Étudiants (FEMYSO) a pris connaissance d’une déclaration publique faite aujourd’hui par la députée européenne Marion Maréchal, dans laquelle celle-ci affirme que FEMYSO a été exclu des activités du Parlement européen. Elle reprend des allégations et des discours qui ont été maintes fois démentis ; nous sommes convaincus que nos institutions ne se laisseront pas entraîner dans cette désinformation.

À la date de publication de ce communiqué de presse, FEMYSO n’a reçu aucune notification du Parlement européen confirmant une telle mesure. Notre organisation n’a pas non plus été informée d’un quelconque processus lié à une telle décision, ni invitée à y participer. Nous demandons donc de toute urgence aux autorités compétentes du Parlement Européen de nous fournir des éclaircissements quant à la véracité de ces allégations.

Depuis près de trois décennies, FEMYSO collabore de manière transparente et constructive avec les institutions européennes afin de promouvoir la participation des jeunes, l’engagement démocratique et les droits fondamentaux. Nous accordons une grande importance à notre coopération de longue date avec le Parlement européen et restons déterminés à entretenir une relation constructive et respectueuse avec cette institution.

Fort d’un engagement de longue date avec l’Unité Jeunesse du Parlement européen et la Rencontre des jeunes européens (EYE), FEMYSO a participé au EYE dès sa deuxième édition en 2016, puis à chaque nouvelle Rencontre jusqu’à aujourd’hui. Tout au long de cette période, FEMYSO a contribué au programme et au succès de cet événement en animant des ateliers sur des thèmes tels que l’intelligence artificielle et les droits numériques, l’éducation et l’élaboration des politiques, ainsi que la démocratie et les droits de l’homme. FEMYSO a par ailleurs été partenaire officiel du projet du Parlement européen consacré aux élections européennes de 2019 et a figuré parmi les partenaires de l’Année européenne de la jeunesse 2022.

Tant que le Parlement européen n’aura pas apporté de précisions officielles, les déclarations publiques faites aujourd’hui restent invérifiées. Nous appelons donc l’institution à clarifier la situation sans délai.

[FIN]

Notes:

1. FEMYSO (fondé en 1996) est une organisation parapluie de plus de 30 organisations de jeunes et d’étudiants musulmans à travers 22 pays Européens, et constitue la voix de la jeunesse européenne musulmane, en les développant et autonomisant, contribuant à la construction d’une Europe plus diverse, cohésive et dynamique.
2. FEMYSO répond aux fausses allégations sur son lien avec les Frères Musulmans – FEMYSO 
3. Communiqué concernant l’enquête sur la campagne de diffamation.
4. Communiqué de FEMYSO concernant The New Yorker : https://femyso.org/femyso-new-yorker-statement/
5. Pour plus d’informations ou de demandes, s.v.p. contactez media@femyso.org.
   

For immediate release 

Brussels, 8 July 2026  

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Students Organisations (FEMYSO) has noted a public statement made today by Member of the European Parliament Marion Maréchal claiming that FEMYSO has been excluded from activities of the European Parliament. She is recycling allegations and narratives that have been repeatedly debunked; we trust our institutions to not be drawn into this disinformation.  

At the time of this press release, FEMYSO has not been notified by the European Parliament of any decision confirming such a measure. Nor has our organisation been informed of, or invited to participate in, any process relating to such a decision. We are therefore seeking urgent clarification from the relevant authorities within the European Parliament regarding the accuracy of these public claims. 

For nearly three decades, FEMYSO has engaged transparently and constructively with European institutions to promote youth participation, democratic engagement, and fundamental rights. We value our longstanding cooperation with the European Parliament and remain committed to maintaining a constructive and respectful relationship with the institution. 

FEMYSO has a longstanding history of engagement with the European Parliament’s Youth Outreach Unit and the European Youth Event (EYE), having participated in all five editions of the EYE since 2016. Throughout this period, FEMYSO has contributed to the programme and success of these events by delivering sessions on topics including AI and Digital Rights, Education and Policymaking, and Democracy and Human Rights. FEMYSO has also been an official partner of the European Parliament’s 2019 European elections project and was a listed partner for the European Year of Youth 2022. 

Until the European Parliament provides official clarification, the public claims made today remain unverified. We therefore call on the institution to clarify the situation without delay. 

[END]

Notes:      

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network of 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 European countries. It is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.       
2. FEMYSO responds to false allegations on links to Muslim Brotherhood 
3. Smear campaign investigation statement.  
4. FEMYSO New Yorker statement: https://femyso.org/femyso-new-yorker-statement/ 
5. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org.

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) warns of escalating Islamophobic attacks targeting Muslims, mosques, and community leaders across Europe in June 2026. 

19 June 2026 – Edinburgh, Scotland: Two Muslim men were stabbed while leaving Broomhouse Mosque in a series of attacks currently under investigation as an anti-Muslim hatred case. Several individuals were injured, causing distress within the local Muslim community. 

13 June 2026 – Blackburn, United Kingdom: A mosque was targeted in a suspected arson attack. The fire damaged the building and is under police investigation. 

10-11 June 2026 – Bolton, United Kingdom: The home of an imam was targeted in a firebomb attack. A lit accelerant was thrown into the property while seven people were inside, all of whom escaped unharmed. The incident is being treated as a targeted attack. 

10-11 June 2026 – Cagliari, Italy: A mosque was targeted in an arson attack. Investigators reportedly treated the mosque as the intended target, with anti-terrorism authorities involved. 

These incidents reflect a disturbing pattern of violence against Muslims, mosques, and community leaders within a short period of time. They underline the urgent need to address Islamophobia as a lived reality that can escalate into physical harm. 

According to the 2024 report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 47% of Muslims surveyed across European Union Member States report experiencing discrimination in their daily lives, while 39% report racist harassment. These findings highlight the persistence of Islamophobia and its impact on safety, dignity, and equality. 

Mosques, Islamic centres, and Muslim community leaders must be protected and able to operate safely. Targeting both individuals and places of worship is an attack on Muslim communities and on the fundamental principle of religious freedom. 

FEMYSO calls on European leaders and institutions to take urgent action to address Islamophobia, including stronger protection of places of worship and effective responses to hate crimes and terror attacks. Structural action is required to ensure Muslims in Europe can live and worship without fear. 

FEMYSO stands in solidarity with all those affected and reaffirms its commitment to challenging Islamophobia and defending the rights and dignity of Muslim communities. 

[END]  

NOTES:   

1. Being Muslim in the EU – Experiences of Muslims   
2. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network of 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 European countries. It is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.         
3. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org.  

Brussels, 18 June 2026

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) strongly condemns the European Parliament’s vote approving measures to deport migrants to so-called “return hubs” in non-EU countries.

This decision marks a dangerous step towards policies that undermine fundamental rights, weaken international protection systems, and shift responsibility beyond European borders. It reflects a wider trend in EU migration policies that prioritises deterrence and control over human dignity and justice.

FEMYSO warns that the creation of “return hubs” risks placing people in situations where their rights are not fully protected. Transferring individuals outside the EU may limit access to asylum procedures, legal safeguards, and independent oversight. This raises serious concerns about arbitrary detention, violations of the principle of non-refoulement, and the erosion of basic protections under international law.

The human impact of such policies is significant. Experiences from other countries, including the United States, show that similar approaches can result in family members being separated, children being placed in unsafe or inadequately supervised conditions, and vulnerable people being denied access to legal and social support. Such policies disproportionately affect certain communities due to systemic racial profiling and stereotyping, further deepening inequalities and social stigmas.

From a youth perspective, the consequences of these policies are especially concerning. Young migrants and international students often face significant barriers to stability, inclusion, and equal opportunities, and increased uncertainty around migration and return procedures can further undermine their access to education, training, employment, and support networks. This risks deepening exclusion and limiting the ability of young people to fully participate in society

These developments are part of a broader political climate in which exclusionary and far-right narratives are gaining ground across Europe. The increasing focus on restrictive migration policies signals a move away from the EU’s core values of human rights, solidarity, and the rule of law.

As a network representing young European Muslims, FEMYSO is particularly concerned about the wider impact of these policies. The continued outsourcing of migration responsibilities not only puts vulnerable people at risk, but also reinforces harmful narratives that stigmatise migrant communities, fuel Islamophobia, and deepen divisions in society.

“The adoption of “return hubs” represents a dangerous turning point in Europe’s migration policies. It shows a willingness to sidestep fundamental rights in favour of short-term political solutions that put vulnerable people at greater risk. As young European Muslims, we are deeply concerned by the normalisation of policies that reinforce exclusion, stigma, and division in our societies,” said Hiba Latreche, President of FEMYSO. 

FEMYSO firmly rejects the outsourcing of migration responsibilities countries where human rights protections cannot be guaranteed. Such approaches do not provide sustainable solutions and instead expose people to further risks, including poor conditions, lack of legal support, and potential abuse.

FEMYSO calls on European institutions and Member States to:

1. Halt the implementation of “return hub” mechanisms that undermine fundamental rights
2. Uphold their obligations under international and European law, including the right to asylum and the principle of non-refoulement
3. Promote migration policies based on dignity, protection, and solidarity
4. Challenge narratives that exploit migration to justify discrimination and exclusion

FEMYSO stresses that Europe’s response to migration will define its commitment to human rights and justice. These measures risk setting a dangerous precedent that must be urgently challenged.

[END] 

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network of 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 European countries. It is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.       
2. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org. 

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) expresses its profound grief and unequivocal condemnation following the terrorist attack targeting worshippers at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California.

This horrific act of violence is far from a one-time incident, it comes amid a continued rise in anti-Muslim hatred, dehumanising and demonising rhetoric, and the normalisation of Islamophobia across public and political discourse. Muslim communities continue to bear the consequences of an environment in which hatred against Muslims is tolerated, amplified, and insufficiently challenged.

Places of worship, faith-based educational institutions and community gathering places must never become sites of fear, violence, or mourning. Yet once again, Muslims have been targeted while gathering in a mosque. Such attacks leave deep and lasting wounds not only on the directly affected community, but on Muslims globally, who continue to witness increasing hostility and insecurity.

We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and families of Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad and Mansoor Kazziha, and the wider Muslim community in San Diego. We also express our solidarity with all those impacted by this devastating attack, including community members, students, educators, and families connected to the mosque and its surrounding institutions.

Unfortunately, the ideology and narratives that fuel attacks such as this have become increasingly widespread far beyond the United States. Across Europe and elsewhere, islamophobic rhetoric has been amplified by political actors, media figures, and extremist movements that portray Muslims as outsiders, demographic threats or incompatible with society. In recent weeks, public marches and political campaigns in the UK have openly targeted Muslim communities, while some public officials and politicians have called for mass expulsions and exclusionary policies directed at Muslims and migrants.

FEMYSO calls on political leaders, institutions, media actors, and digital platforms to take meaningful action against Islamophobia, hate speech, and extremist violence. Statements of condemnation alone are not enough. Concrete measures are urgently needed to protect Muslim communities and confront the systems and narratives that enable such violence to persist.

This attack once again demonstrates the urgent need for sustained efforts to combat Islamophobia in all its forms and to ensure that Muslims are able to live, gather, and worship in safety and dignity.

[END]

Notes:

FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 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.

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we solemnly honour the six million Jewish lives brutally taken during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of Roma, Sinti, people with disabilities, and countless others who were persecuted and murdered because of who they were. Their suffering and loss stand as one of history’s darkest warnings. 

The Holocaust did not happen overnight. It was the result of hatred allowed to grow; prejudice left unchallenged, and a world that too often looked away. History has repeatedly shown the consequences of such indifference. When discrimination is tolerated and dehumanisation becomes normalised, it can escalate into unimaginable violence. 

Antisemitism and all forms of prejudice are learned, not innate. As UNESCO highlights, education and remembrance are essential tools to challenge hatred and prevent atrocities like the Holocaust and genocides such as Srebrenica. Remembering these tragedies means recognising and confronting the warning signs of hatred, denial, distortion, and indifference. When these forces go unchallenged, they undermine human dignity and create conditions in which atrocities can occur. 

Remembrance, therefore, is not only about honouring the past, but about acting in the present. It is a call to stand against all forms of racism and prejudice, recognising that antisemitism cannot be addressed in isolation from Islamophobia, antigypsyism, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, and other forms of discrimination. 

FEMYSO stands in unwavering solidarity with Jewish communities and all those targeted by hate. We reaffirm that “Never Again” is not only a promise to remember the past, but a commitment to act in the present, to defend justice, human rights, and the safety of all. 

[END] 

Notes:   

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 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.    

2. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org 

Brussels, 13 January 2026 

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) strongly rejects and condemns the allegations contained in the report recently published by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group. The report reflects a pattern of ideologically driven narratives that misrepresent Muslim civil society organisations in Europe. Notably, it repeatedly misidentifies FEMYSO as a “federation” rather than a forum, pointing to a broader lack of factual accuracy and an absence of direct engagement with our organisation. 

FEMYSO is a transparent, volunteer-led, and democratically governed civil society organisation that has worked for decades to empower young people, promote civic participation, and uphold fundamental rights across Europe. Our activities, partnerships, and funding are fully disclosed and subject to standard scrutiny and accountability mechanisms. FEMYSO operates in accordance with democratic principles, civic engagement, and social cohesion, and has never been involved in any activity contrary to these values. FEMYSO is fully independent and maintains no political affiliations or ties with any organisation or party. 

The ECR report makes no attempt to consult FEMYSO or to substantiate its claims with verifiable evidence. Instead, it relies on a narrow set of sources that have previously contributed to misleading and Islamophobic narratives. Similar allegations in the past have been amplified through disinformation campaigns rather than objective, evidence-based inquiry. As a result, FEMYSO’s work promoting inclusion, transparency, and constructive civic engagement is either omitted or misrepresented. 

Reports of this nature are not only inaccurate but also socially harmful. By framing Muslim civil society organisations as inherently suspect, they risk legitimising exclusionary policies, discouraging civic participation, and marginalising underrepresented communities. Such narratives contribute to Islamophobia and discrimination, undermining the pluralism and democratic engagement that European institutions claim to uphold. 

FEMYSO remains committed to empowering young people to participate fully in European society and to promoting equality, pluralism, and human rights. We call on European institutions, policymakers, and media actors to exercise due diligence, engage directly with the organisations concerned, and reject fear-based narratives. Attempts to discredit FEMYSO will not deter our work; they only reinforce the importance of defending civic space, inclusion, and social cohesion. 

[END]  

1. 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.
2. FEMYSO responds to false allegations on links to Muslim Brotherhood
3. Smear campaign investigation statement 
4. FEMYSO New Yorker statement: https://femyso.org/femyso-new-yorker-statement/
5. Further clarifications on our organisation and its governance can be found on the FAQ page.
6. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) expresses grave concern over the possibility of attacks on the Sumud Flotilla as it nears Gaza, and we demand its protection under international law. This humanitarian mission carries not only vital aid but a powerful message of resistance, dignity, and solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza. 

The world cannot ignore that this flotilla sails as Palestinians in Gaza are subjected to a campaign of destruction that amounts to genocide. Entire families have been erased, vital infrastructure has been obliterated, and an entire population has been pushed to famine and the brink of survival. The international community has a legal and moral duty to act. 

We call on: 

• European governments and parliaments to publicly guarantee safe passage for the Sumud Flotilla, to intervene diplomatically, and to hold Israel to its obligations under maritime law, the Geneva Conventions, and human rights law. 
   

• The European Union and its High Representative to adopt an unequivocal stance in favour of protecting humanitarian access to Gaza, rather than enabling further blockade. 
   

• Civil society organisations and youth movements across Europe to amplify calls for the protection of the flotilla, to mobilise public pressure, and to refuse complicity by silence. 

The Sumud Flotilla is not an act of provocation. It is an act of necessity, in defiance of a blockade that has perpetuated a humanitarian catastrophe. The lives of those aboard the flotilla, and the lives of countless Palestinians awaiting aid, must not be bargained away for geopolitical convenience. 

We have seen several governments across Europe take the long-delayed decision to recognise the State of Palestine. The protection of the Sumud Flotilla is the first test to see whether these decisions were merely symbolic, or whether these governments Europe has finally decided to uphold its stated principle as a leader in human rights. If it fails to act, it will deepen. its complicity in the evils inflicted upon the Palestinian population in Gaza and the wider occupied territories.   

Silence today is complicity tomorrow. FEMYSO stands unwaveringly behind the Sumud Flotilla. We will not rest until Gaza’s borders are open, its people are free, and human dignity is restored. 

Protect the Sumud Flotilla. Protect Gaza. Uphold Justice.