EU: Muslim youth organisation to be excluded from European Parliament activities, claims far-right MEP
On 8 July, French far-right MEP Marion Maréchal, claimed in a in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Students Organisations (FEMYSO) has been excluded from all European Parliament activities. According to Maréchal, the European Parliament’s Bureau, the body that lays down rules for the Parliament, decided to exclude FEMYSO from all parliamentary activities, such as the European Youth Event (EYE), one of the key events that brings together thousands of young people from across the EU and beyond.
Maréchal framed the decision and attack against FEMYSO as a “victory” against the Muslim Brotherhood, alleging that FEMYSO represents “Islamist” interests. Maréchal’s public statement is part of a broader disinformation campaign against FEMYSO and other Muslim and minority rights organisations, and it repeats previous allegations linking FEMYSO to the Muslim Brotherhood — claims the organisation has repeatedly denied. Maréchal claimed that the decision followed coordinated political pressure by her and other right-wing MEPs, including formal complaints, parliamentary questions, and campaigns.
According to FEMYSO, the organization hasn’t received any official notification from the European Parliament confirming the news, nor has it been invited to participate in any procedure concerning its alleged exclusion.
FEMYSO has an established relationship with European institutions focused on youth participation, democratic engagement, and fundamental rights and was a partner during the previous EYE and the European Year of Youth in 2022. Excluding a prominent youth organisation from parliamentary activities without prior notification, opportunities to respond, or a transparent process raises significant concerns regarding transparency, democratic participation, fairness, and good governance of the EU institutions. The incident illustrates the broader trend of increased attacks, intimidation, and harassment against Muslim-led and minority CSOs in Europe.