Urgent action needed to combat mounting antisemitism: UN rights experts

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”.

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 fighting this unacceptable yet recurring threat.”