NEW YORK - The World Jewish Congress partnered with Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday for a special discussion on the urgent need to combat antisemitism as a global human rights issue. During the discussion, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, presented his historic report on antisemitism, which was prepared with significant contribution by the WJC.
The report, which can be found here, emphasizes increased levels of antisemitism worldwide and online and addresses specific recommendations that can be taken to tackle this hatred.
The panel also included Ambassador Ulrika Sundberg, the Special Envoy for Intercultural and Religious Dialogue in Sweden, and Daniel Radomski, Head of Programs and Strategy of the World Jewish Congress who both delivered remarks.
Representatives from the UN missions of Canada, Germany, Morocco, and others joined in the discussion.
Dr. Shaheed made it clear during his remarks that “antisemitism is a global problem. It manifests anywhere, even where Jewish communities do not exist.” He recommended that countries adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and should recognize this hatred is a human rights issue and a problem facing all of society, not just a Jewish one.
During the event Amb. Sundberg laid out the numerous initiatives Sweden is focusing on to combat antisemitism that is a problem in the country—educating students, creating a center to combat extremism, convening a forum on Holocaust remembrance. Sweden will also host an international conference on Holocaust Remembrance and combatting antisemitism in October of 2020.
