Puddington: Europe's Role is Critical on Human Rights in the Middle East

At a European Parliament multi-party briefing on Freedom in the World 2012, Freedom House Vice President for Research Arch Puddington highlighted the critical role the European Union plays in the Middle East and called for increased EU support for human rights and democracy in the region. The briefing drew the participation of Parliament Vice President Edward McMillan-Scott, former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, former Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan, former Foreign Minister of Estonia, Kristiina Ojuland, and other Members of the European Parliament - including Ana Gomes, Richard Howitt, and Judith Sargentini. Kukan called Freedom House’s report “the merciless mirror to all world leaders.” Freedom House President David Kramer and Arch Puddington also testified before the European Parliament’s Human Rights Subcommittee on “Justice in the Arab Spring Countries."

See photos from the launch event below (courtesy the European Parliament):