Der Spiegel highlights the growing UAE funding for pressure groups in Europe
The widespread German magazine Der Spiegel highlighted the hidden issues of the UAE’s growing funding of pressure groups in Europe to gain influence and boost its image.
Der Spiegel said in a report that the European Microscope on Middle East issues monitored a report on the growing UAE funding pressure groups in Europe to influence European policies.
The magazine stated that the report published by European Microscope, citing the CEO of the European Observatory for Companies, reveals the hidden face of the UAE lobby in Europe.
It also reveals that Abu Dhabi is spending huge sums to gain influence.
Mobilize Soft Power
The magazine emphasized that the Emirati pressure groups reveal the ambitions of the Emirates in mobilizing the “soft superpower” in Brussels.
The report states that the UAE is one of the world’s largest lobby spenders.
While it shows an image of moderation and stability, it pursues its foreign policy goals in bloody wars from Yemen to Libya.
As part of a spin-off series on lobbyists from repressive regimes, the website unveiled UAE-funded experts based in Brussels.
Whitewashing
According to the report, the UAE government has established several new footholds in Brussels to serve its ambitions to gain influence as a preemptive act to whitewash its image.
According to King’s College London academic Andreas CRE, the UAE and its lobby groups tend to weaponize “authoritarian stability” narratives.
lobbyists loyal to Abu Dhabi are whitewashing the image of the UAE and presenting it as a stable partner in the region, participating in humanitarian aid, and an ally against terrorism.
Or, otherwise, shaping its influence and helping the oil-rich autocracy obscure its dark side.
War Crimes
The report indicated that the UAE was accused of committing war crimes in Yemen, crushing dissent and supporting the brutal Sisi regime in Egypt.
He warned that the UAE played a critical role by proxy – and was a major supplier of weapons – in the conflict in Libya.
Not to mention domestic human rights violations such as abuse of migrant workers, or the suppression of dissent within its borders.
