22 January 2015

The statement below was released following a special session of the General Assembly addressing the rise of antisemitism and on behalf of [Andorra, Austria, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay …]

We are deeply concerned that in recent years there has been an alarming increase in Antisemitism worldwide. Antisemitism is a manifestation of racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance. In recent years, we have witnessed increased incidents of hatred, intolerance, discrimination and violence against individuals based on their religion or belief. Sadly these acts have also targeted institutions including schools, cultural centers and places of worship. The Jewish Community has been particularly targeted.

Even as the Holocaust remains a part of living memory, Jewish communities around the world are once again under attack, and in certain parts of the world Jews are attacked for exercising their Human Rights of Freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of opinion and expression.  

The recent terrorist attack against a kosher supermarket in Paris in January 2015 is a painful reminder that Antisemitism remains an urgent problem that must be addressed. The United Nations must step forward and play a pivotal role in combatting Antisemitism as well as intolerance, discrimination and violence based on religion of belief. It is a moral imperative for this institution to call on governments around the world to promote tolerance and mutual respect in their societies.

We applaud those individuals, governments, and international and national bodies that clearly condemned Antisemitism and reaffirmed the 2004 Berlin Declaration on Antisemitism at the recent OSCE conference in November 2014 and the OSCE ministerial Declaration on Enhancing Efforts to Combat Antisemitism in Basel in December 2014.  

In 2005, the UN General Assembly designated 27 January as the annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.  Two years later, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 61/255 condemning Holocaust denial. Today, we reaffirm that Holocaust denial is a form of Antisemitism.

Based on our conviction of the need to counter all forms of religious intolerance, we therefore call all member states to:

a) Declare their categorical rejection of Antisemitism;

b) Encourage political leaders and, public figures, and educators to publicly and vocally condemn antisemitic incidents and consider designating government officials to monitor and address all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief, including Antisemitism;

c) Review their national legislation and ensure appropriate mechanisms for combatting discrimination based on religion or belief, including Antisemitism;

d)  Promote opportunities for educational initiatives and teacher training programs that provide young people with education on the subject of Antisemitism;

e) Monitor crimes, including of antisemitic nature, and effectively investigate them in a prompt and impartial manner with the aim of prosecuting those responsible;

f) Strengthen dialogue with civil society to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding between different communities;

g) Welcome UN DPI's plan to organize follow-up conference to the "Unlearning Intolerance" series started in 2004, including on Antisemitism, with a goal to review progress and identify new challenges;

The determination to eradicate the conditions that gave rise to the Holocaust was a guiding principle among the founders of this organization over six decades ago. Let us rededicate ourselves to that principle and endeavor to eliminate Antisemitism in all its forms.​