Laurence Boone, France's Secretary of State for European Affairs, said that the European Commission is financing an association close to the Muslim Brotherhood, which "does not correspond to the secular values of France."
Laurence Bonne spoke to the state-run France 2 and said, “There is no ambiguity. The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organizations (FEMYSO) does not correspond to our secular values. It does not support our principles of inclusion and emancipation at all.”
In November 2021, Marlene Schiappa, French Minister Delegate in charge of Citizenship, raised concern over the relations between the European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli and the FEMYSO.
In August, the issue was brought onto the agenda when the FEMYSO appeared among the associations in a video released by the European Commission to celebrate the continent's youth.
Boone recalled that the previous Secretary of State for European affairs, Clément Beaune, informed the European Commission about the situation together with Schiappa. “It seems that this was not enough. We are writing a new report together with the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin,” Bonne said.
“I am currently making contacts with my colleagues in all European countries to put pressure on the commission,” Boone added.
Founded in 1999, the FEMYSO is considered by many researchers as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is also banned in Egypt, where it originated.
According to Marianne magazine, this is not the first time that the FEMYSO collaborates with European institutions. It is reported that since 2014, FEMYSO has received tens of thousands of Euros from the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
