Commissioner Lahbib defends EU funding rules for Islamic Relief, confirms no payments made

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, in a written answer on behalf of the European Commission, defended the EU's funding procedures for humanitarian partners while confirming that no EU funds have been disbursed to Islamic Relief Sweden or Islamic Relief Germany since their certification under the 2021-2027 EU Humanitarian Partnership. The answer, dated 27 April 2026, responds to a parliamentary question from ECR MEPs Charlie Weimers, Dick Erixon, and Beatrice Timgren, who raised concerns about alleged links between Islamic Relief entities and anti-democratic or violent activities, citing Swedish and German authorities' findings.

The Commission's answer clarifies that Islamic Relief Worldwide did not undergo the required ex-ante assessment and therefore cannot apply for EU humanitarian funding. However, Islamic Relief Sweden and Islamic Relief Germany were certified after meeting the criteria set out in the Financial Regulation and the Humanitarian Aid Regulation. Since their certification, neither organisation has received any EU humanitarian funding. The Commission emphasised its zero-tolerance approach to misconduct and stated it would act if proven evidence of wrongdoing emerges.

Policy orientation and institutional follow-up The answer signals a cautious, rules-based approach: the Commission insists on non-discrimination on religious grounds and adherence to objective criteria, while leaving the door open to action if concrete evidence is provided. No new measures or reviews were announced, and the Commission did not indicate any intention to reconsider the certification status of the two NGOs based on the MEPs' allegations. The answer is largely declarative, reaffirming existing procedures rather than proposing changes. Future developments will depend on whether the Commission receives formal evidence from member state authorities or other sources, which could trigger monitoring, suspension, or termination of contracts under the Financial Regulation.