Home - MEDC

December 17, 2024

Dec 2024

Policy Brief

Broken Promises: Biden's Retreat from Saudi Arabia Accountability

Haydn Welch, Sheridan Cole, Seth Binder

MENA

Nov 2024

Event Highlight

Democracy Matters Initiative Private Dialogue: Making the Case for Democracy and Human Rights

MENA + more
Morocco

Nov 2024

Expert Q&A

Weaponizing Democracy in the MENA Feminist Domain

Abdelrahman Ayyash, Yasmina Benslimane

The Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC), formed by a 2024 merger of the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and the Freedom Initiative, is a U.S.-based nonprofit and nonpartisan advocacy organization that works with the people of the Middle East and North Africa to challenge authoritarian systems, free the unjustly detained, and advocate for U.S. policies that protect human rights and advance a bold vision for democracy.

MEDC in the News

“The Biden administration’s reversal and eventual full embrace of MBS solidified his rehabilitation within the international community following the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi. . . . The result has been to elevate MBS as untouchable and greenlight his ruthless repression.”

The Intercept

, 08/12/2024

Seth Binder

“This is an example of the administration folding their hand. They were called out on their bluff of Rafah and now they’re relenting.”

Wall Street Journal

, 07/10/2024

Seth Binder

“Saudi Arabia’s creative industries will not thrive -– let alone attract investment -– until the authorities recognise and fully respect the human rights of all its citizens.”

Barron’s

, 07/04/2024

Abdullah Alaoudh

“[If the delay to the JDAMs is deliberate, it] would be the first instance since this war began where the administration took such an action on weapons we know have been used in Gaza.”

Wall Street Journal

, 05/06/2024

Seth Binder

“It is long past time for the United States to use its leverage and uphold U.S. law to end Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza and have this war come to an end,” said Seth Binder, director of advocacy at the Middle East Democracy Center, a coalition member. “The humanitarian catastrophe that millions of Palestinians are suffering through and its seismic moral and strategic consequences should compel members of Congress to do everything in its power to secure a cessation of hostilities.”

Common Dreams

, 03/05/2024

Seth Binder

“The Egyptian authorities should ensure the safety of his family in Egypt, and end their smear campaigns and the relentless, years-long crackdown on human rights groups and independent organizations.”

The New Arab

, 02/25/2024

Seth Binder

“In a nutshell, [religious freedom in Saudi Arabia] is disastrous…the Saudi state is subjugating its people to the rulers no matter what…just in this conversation, I’m violating Saudi laws…The Saudi government has used laws, doctrines, everything in its power, to go after people for speaking up about anything. This is true for the shia minority, for the majority, anyone who has a different idea,” Abdullah Alaoudh told Professor Gabriel Said Reynolds on the Exploring the Quran and the Bible podcast.

Exploring the Quran and the Bible

, 02/23/2024

Abdullah Alaoudh

“But a coalition of 17 arms control and human rights groups, led by the Center for Civilians in Conflict and the Middle East Democracy Center, sent a letter to lawmakers last week arguing the bill cedes congressional oversight authority by hindering lawmakers’ ability to place holds on sales over human rights concerns.”

Defense News

, 02/06/2024

“This provision is in line with Republican efforts in both the House and Senate for years. Not only did President [Donald] Trump suspend funding to UNRWA when he was in office, more recently Sen. [Jim] Risch [R-Idaho] and Rep. [Mike] McCaul [R-Texas] have put holds on that funding.”

HuffPost

, 02/05/2024

Seth Binder

“Nearly four months in, the Biden administration should be doing so much more than simply discussing concerns, which they’ve raised publicly for months. It should be conditioning assistance and support on dramatic improvements and accountability for continued violations.”

Reuters

, 01/25/2024

Seth Binder

Israel & Palestine

August 20, 2024

Beyond Borders: How Israeli Impunity Fuels Regional Repression

Israel & Palestine

July 24, 2024

Peace is Possible: An Alternative Vision for Israel and Palestine

MENA

May 8, 2024

Peace or Instability? Examining the Impact of the Abraham Accords

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