Alvarez named European Coordinator by international Foundation

Equality Rights Group GGR has today confirmed that Felix Alvarez, the group’s Chairman, has been appointed European Coordinator for an internationally based human rights organisation.
“My work in Gibraltar will continue”, commented Mr Alvarez, “however it is true to say that responsibilities on the international front increasingly require my attention.”

For his part, the Director of the Beirut-based Foundation for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience (Syria), Mr Wissam Tarif, explained that Alvarez “will contribute to the Foundation’s work in various ways. His main role, however, will be in strategizing our campaigns with the EU institutions in Brussels, and networking with other international and EU human Rights NGOs and foundations. Alvarez's credentials and standing across the whole spectrum of political and human rights issues, as well as his depth of regional knowledge and connections, will be a very real asset.

“In this role, Mr. Alvarez will be working closely with European politicians in order to augment EU external policy toward the Middle East focusing particularly on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, exploring more efficient ways of making EU funds spent in the Middle East work in favour of EU policy goals.”

Mr Tarif ended by saying that “FDPOC and I are glad to have Felix on board our international team and we are looking forward to working with him in the coming weeks and months in London and Europe during the course of joint meetings with a range of policy makers, think tanks and Middle East regional experts.”

Mr Tarif, of Lebanese nationality, is both a staunch pro-democracy campaigner and a well-regarded political analyst with strong ties in regional diplomatic circles, as well as a known media commentator and writer. He has coordinated human rights issues within Arab political circles and NGOs, the White House and the European Union. He is a frequent visitor to London, Berlin, Brussels and Washington DC, and is considered a policy expert on Syrian affairs.