Rima Hassan: Standing Against the Political Tide

Born in the densely populated Neirab camp for Palestinian refugees in Syria, Rima Hassan has lived a life marked by displacement, resilience, and an unyielding pursuit of justice. Now a Member of the European Parliament, the French-Palestinian jurist has become one of the most fearless political voices of our generation, advocating for refugees, human rights, and the liberation of Palestine from within the halls of European power.

Before emerging as one of the Left’s defining figures, Hassan’s early years were characterised by statelessness. Despite arriving in France at the age of 10, she only received citizenship as an adult, after which she studied international law at Sorbonne, specialising in refugee rights. In 2019, she founded the Observatory of Refugee Camps, an independent NGO that documents and analyses the conditions of the internationally displaced worldwide—a project that grew directly from her own lived experience.

“A very important moment in my career was the creation of the NGO, when I had to mobilise a great deal of effort to translate something very personal – my own experience in the refugee camp – into a community-based project,” she tells Dazed MENA. “It opened up so many perspectives, encounters, and connections, as well as knowledge about understanding refugee camps.”

Rooted in personal history and collective struggle, that commitment has guided her every step of the way. Hassan recently entered politics as a member of left-wing political party La France Insoumise, driven by what she calls a “sense of duty” towards the Palestinian question and the global struggle for human rights. “It was a decisive moment since, so far, it’s the only time in my career that I’ve been able to fully dedicate myself to my activism,” she explains. “I take a truly activist approach to political engagement.”

That approach is unmistakable in Hassan’s political work, which is underpinned by unwavering solidarity, whether in Brussels, on the streets, or across colonial borders. In June 2025, she joined the Freedom Flotilla aboard the Madleen in a brave attempt to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, sailing alongside activists including Greta Thunberg and Thiago Ávila. When the ship was illegally intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, Hassan was detained after refusing voluntary deportation and went on a hunger strike before her eventual release. Weeks later, she returned as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, undeterred—a testament to her refusal to be intimidated.

Her efforts within the European Parliament continue that struggle through political means. “My work in the human rights and foreign affairs committees aims to anchor a defence of human rights, a line that is anti-racist, decolonial, anti-imperialist, and anti-capitalist,” she explains. “And I hope to be able to anchor this line in the defence of human rights in parliament.”

Hassan’s influences – Ghada Karmi and Gisèle Halimi – mirror the depth of her convictions, but it’s the Palestinian people who remain her truest source of strength. “They are isolated from the world,” she says. “And their resilience is a force I’m not alone in drawing strength from.” Despite her many achievements, the 33-year-old remains fervently committed to being a voice for those who have long been overlooked by those in power. “I simply hope to inspire, even modestly, a generation for whom politics was something almost inaccessible,” she shares. “By identifying with the issues I champion, they can feel fully entitled to establish themselves within the political landscape.”

Unrelenting in her quest, Hassan has become a beacon of hope in dark times. As our elected officials repeatedly break their promises, she stands firm, embodying the spirit of resistance and moral clarity. For those who dream of a freer world, Hassan reminds us that in the face of brutality, true leadership is measured by courage and conviction.