More must be done to thwart neo-Nazis and white supremacists
who are using the COVID-19 pandemic to target minorities,
increase their ranks and re-write history, the UN
Secretary-General has said.
António Guterres made the impassioned appeal in a video
message for the International Day of Commemoration in Memory
of the Victims of the Holocaust, observed on Wednesday, which
honours the six million Jews and millions of others murdered
by the Nazis during the Second World War.
As this year’s anniversary is taking place under the shadow
of the pandemic, he noted that the crisis has exposed
longstanding injustices and contributed to a renewed rise in
antisemitism and xenophobia.
Denial and distortion
“Today, white supremacists and neo-Nazis are resurgent,
organizing and recruiting across borders, intensifying their
efforts to deny, distort and rewrite history including the
Holocaust”, the UN chief said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has given them new opportunities to
target minorities, based on religion, race, ethnicity,
nationality, sexual orientation, disability and immigration
status. We must make urgent joint efforts to stop them.”
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet,
has also voiced concern over the “frightening” increase in
hate crimes, and “sharp rise” in antisemitism online, over
the past year.
“With renewed vigour, conspiracy theorists increasingly link
extreme political ideologies and antisemitic delusions –
weaving elaborate lies and falsehoods that lay responsibility
for every kind of government failing on individual Jews or
the Jewish community as a whole”, she said.
“Whipped up by irresponsible opinion-leaders – and amplified
and legitimised by the uniquely powerful engines of digital
media – these hate-filled fabrications are deeply damaging in
themselves and can pose a real threat of violence.”
Push back against lies
Ms. Bachelet urged governments and digital platforms to
evaluate their role in enabling such phenomena. She also
explained how upholding human rights could end them.
“We need to push back against lies. We need to ensure that
public discourse is based on facts, which objectively reflect
truth – including the fundamental truth of our equal rights
and dignity as human beings”, she said.
“We need to invest in human rights education in order to
counter discrimination and groundless, toxic conspiracy
theories.”
With the world again facing a rising tide of racism,
xenophobia and antisemitism, the President of the UN General
Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, urged people everywhere to speak out
against discrimination.
“We are witnessing hatred towards other minorities and
religious groups. Today, the onus is upon us to uphold truth,
equality and protect the rights of the most vulnerable
groups. All around the world,” he said in avideo message.
“We have to be vigilant, to call out any injustice we witness
and defend pluralism. We have to condemn intolerance,
incitement, harassment based on ethnic origin or religious
belief.”
Heal broken societies
As countries focus on recovery after the pandemic, the UN
Secretary-General called for action to address the
fragilities and gaps it has revealed.
“This year must be a year of healing. Healing from the
pandemic, and healing our broken societies in which hatred
has all too easily taken root”, he said.
“As we remember those who died in the Holocaust and honour
the survivors, our best tribute is the creation of a world of
equality, justice and dignity for all.”
A virtual memorial
Holocaust distortion and denial is the topic of a panel
discussion on Wednesday, part of the UN events taking place
during the International Day, which will be held online.
The Commemorative Programme will begin with a virtual
ceremony where German Chancellor Angela Merkel will deliver
the keynote address.
Participants will also hear from Irene Butter, who will share
her experiences of surviving the Holocaust in a conversation
with CNN’s Chief International Correspondent, Clarissa Ward.
