Commemorating 75 years since the liberation of the notorious Nazi
death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, independent UN rights experts
said on Thursday that “urgent action” is needed to combat
mounting antisemitism.
“On this solemn commemoration, designated as International Holocaust
Remembrance Day, States around the world are failing to
sufficiently counter antisemitic violence, discrimination, and
hostility within their societies or to ensure that their
populations are appropriately educated about the Holocaust”, they
said in a joint statement.
The UN experts pointed to attacks in the cities of Toulouse,
Pittsburg, Brussels, Poway and Jersey City – from the Pacific to
the heart of Europe - as “just some of the places where Jews have
been murdered in recent years”.
The 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms and protects the
rights of all, is a key legacy of the Holocaust’s victims –
including the six million Jews who, alongside other targeted
groups, were systematically and brutally murdered.
The reports of the Special Rapporteur on
freedom of religion or belief and the Special Rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism, which were presented to the UN
General Assembly last year, outline a dramatic increase in
antisemitism reported in many countries and online.
“We urge all concerned persons, all leaders to read them, study
them and implement their recommendations as a matter of urgency”,
advised the independent experts.
They also expressed alarm at reports documenting extensive
Holocaust denial, particularly online, and surveys reflecting
that large populations are ignorant of the dehumanization and
persecution that occurred during the Holocaust.
Moreover, social media is being misused to perpetuate antisemitic
stereotypes and prejudice.
‘Climate of fear’
“Around the world, violence, discrimination and expressions of
hostility motivated by antisemitism have created a climate of
fear among a substantial number of Jews, impairing their ability
to enjoy their fundamental rights to liberty and security,
equality and non-discrimination, and to freedom of religion”, the
experts spelled out.
They called on all States to respond to these trends by “taking
urgent action” to uphold their human rights obligations,
including by more effectively monitoring and recording
antisemitic incidents; ensure accountability for perpetrators of
violence; and provide effective protection to Jewish people,
communities and sites.
“We call on States to respond more effectively to incitement to
discrimination, hostility and violence against Jews and members
of other targeted groups”, they urged.
According to the nine Special Rapporteurs, to combat antisemitic
stereotypes at all levels of society, States must identify all
its various forms, raise awareness and prioritize Holocaust
education.
“Antisemitism, fueled by political leaders and left unchecked,
threatens not only Jews, but also other minority and vulnerable
communities, and the very foundations of democratic societies”,
they warned.
“Now, 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, we mourn the
victims of the Holocaust and solemnly call on States to redouble
their commitment to fight this unacceptable yet recurring
threat.”
About the experts
Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the
Geneva-based UN Human Rights
Council to examine and report back on a specific human
rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary
and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their
work.
Special Rapporteurs Ahmed Shaheed on freedom of religion or
belief; Fernand de Varennes, on minority issues; David
Kaye on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
E. Tendayi Achiume on contemporary forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance; Clement Nyaletsossi Voule on the right to peaceful
assembly and association; Fionnuala Ní Aoláin
on the promotion and
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while
countering terrorism; Agnes Callamard on extrajudicial, summary or
arbitrary executions; Koumbou
Boly-Barry on the right to
education and Karima Bennoune in the field
of cultural
rights were signatories to this statement.
