Strengthening Human Rights in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

The 6th EMHRN General Assembly: a landmark in the life of the Network



Gathering in Malta for the 6th EMHRN General Assembly, 100 participants, coming from the entire Euro-Med region, marked a watershed in the life of the Network taking strategic decisions on role and activities in the coming years. It also heralded the decision to establish a ‘Euro-Med Foundation for Human Rights Defenders’.

The General Assembly discussed the new challenges for the region in the light of the aggravation of the situation in Palestine and the Iraqi crisis, the developments in the Barcelona Process and the enlargement of the EU. Accordingly the EMHRN decided to redouble its efforts to protect and promote universal human rights, which are substantially outlined in the newly adopted Action Plan for 2004-2008.

The participants from the entire Euro-Med region applauded the election of Kamel Jendoubi (Tunisia) as President, Eva Norstroem (Sweden) as Vice-President, Theocharis Papamargaris (Greece) as Treasurer and a new executive committee composed of Randa Siniora (Palestine), Klaus Slavensky (Denmark), Michel Tubiana (France), Rabéa Naciri (Morocco), Reyhan Yalcindag (Turkey), and re-elected Colm Regan (Ireland) and Bahey El Din Hassan (Egypt).

The General Assembly expressed its gratitude to the outgoing Executive Committee, who has made a great contribution to the current strength of the Network.

Five new members, Al-Haq, Sisterhood is Global (SIGI), International Committee for Peace in Algeria (CIPA), the Bar Human Rights Committee of Wales and England and the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) were also welcomed in the Network.

The Assembly recognised the major achievements of the Network by adopting the political, activity and financial reports and adopted a resolution on human rights in the Euro-Med region.

The General Assembly sent a warm message of solidarity to all human rights defenders in the region, in particular Radhia Nasraoui imploring her to stop her hunger strike and not further endanger her own life.

Finally, the EMHRN warmly thanked the Mediterranean Academy for Diplomatic Studies for co-organising the meeting and Hon Anton Tabone, speaker of the Maltese Parliament, for honouring the Network by his presence at the opening of the Assembly.


For further information please contact:

Marc Schade-Poulsen, Executive Director /
Marit Floe Joergensen, Information Officer
Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Wilders Plads 8 H, DK-1403 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Tel: +45-32 69 89 12 / Fax: +45-32 69 89 01
E-mail: info@euromedrights.net