- Paris-based NGO The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) is a network of 178 organizations throughout the world. FIDH pursues a “lawfare” strategy against Israel, accusing Israel of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” and “apartheid measures and practices, discrimination policies,” and considers anti-Israel BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) activists “human rights defenders.” FIDH was a major participant in the NGO-led campaign to boycott Israeli mobile phone network Partner Communications.
- According to its 2014 annual report, FIDH received €2.5 million in grants from the European Union (EU) in 2014. The EU’s Financial Transparency System (FTS) reports a lower figure – €1.9 million.
- 2015 saw an unprecedented rise in EU funding to FIDH – €21.2 million in grants according to the FTS. Some of this money was given to FIDH in partnership with other organizations, but neither the FTS nor FIDH provide information on how funds were distributed among co-recipients. As of December 2016, FIDH has not published its 2015 annual report.
- According to additional data provided upon request of the European Parliament by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Budget1 FIDH is one of the top 15 EU recipients for 2015 and received €20.9 million from the EU. FIDH’s entire income in 2014 consisted of €6.9 million, one-third of this amount.
- The grants listed on the FTS are as follows:
- €15 million were granted to FIDH in partnership with ten other organizations for “The EU’s Human Rights Defenders Mechanism.” As stated on its website, this mechanism is run by a consortium of 12 NGOs, including FIDH. Its activities include “monitoring,” “promoting,” and grant-making throughout the world.
- €4.3 million were granted solely to FIDH for “reinforcing the FIDH network for advancing protection of human rights as a development vector.” This grant alone, designated for overall activities, is almost twice the amount granted by the EU in 2014.
To get an idea on how they operate in Belgium (The Belgian League is a member of the (FIDH) and is headed by Alexis Deswaef), please read:
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