Online discussion on the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa

In light of the EU's commitment to work hand in hand with partners and civil society all around the world, we would like to invite you to participate in the online discussion on the implementation of the EU Action Plan in the Middle East and North Africa. This is part of a series of regional events to stimulate in-depth exchange on some of the human rights and democracy challenges in the region, as well as on the possible contribution of joint regional and EU efforts in addressing them.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights Mr Eamon Gilmore will deliver a key note speech on the Action Plan and its geopolitical context. Mr Carl Hallergard, Deputy Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS) will welcome participants. Ms Luisa Ragher, Head of the Human Rights Division in the EEAS, will moderate the discussion. The panellists are:

• Ms Nada Youssef A. Al Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She has 30 years of experience within the UN system, including at UNESCO, the ILO and the UNDP. She has served in Libya, Lebanon, Iraq and in New York.

• H.E. Mr Markus Cornaro, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Tunisia. Previously served as Head of the EU Delegations to South Africa and to Vietnam. He has held several senior positions in the EU institutions, including as Director for the Neighbourhood South.

• Ms Hajer Harief, the co-founder of the NGO 'Together We Build It', supporting the democratic process and advocating for the participation of women and youth in peacebuilding efforts in Libya. Appointed by the UN Secretary General as an expert for Progress on Youth, Peace and Security.

• Mr Mazen Darwish, a prominent Syrian human rights defender, journalist and Director of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression. He has worked for many years on freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Syria, and was detained as a result of his efforts.

You will be invited to ask questions to the panellists; in fact, you can already submit your questions in the registration form! Panellists will respond to them in the time available.

Join and exchange with us during this online event! This is a public event - you are invited to share this invitation to anyone who might be interested.

The event will also be broadcast live on Facebook. You are invited to like the event and to share it to your own page or group.

For more information about the Action Plan, please click here or check out the video presenting the Action Plan. You can also download the Action Plan in English, Spanish and French here.

For registration, please click HERE

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