The World Jewish Congress expressed deep appreciation for a historic coalition of nations led by Slovakia, Czechia, and Austria, which delivered a joint statement on combating antisemitism at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The statement, supported and drafted with substantial input from the WJC, was read by Dušan Matulay, the ambassador of Slovakia to the UN in Geneva, on behalf of 52 countries.
“Recently, we have witnessed an alarming rise in antisemitism around the world,” Ambassador Matulay said, noting that synagogues, cemeteries, memorials, and Jewish homes and businesses have been vandalized, while Jewish individuals have been assaulted and even murdered. He emphasized that “international developments or political issues, including those in Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East, never justify antisemitism.”
The statement underscored the duty of states to protect Jews and all minorities from discrimination and violence, welcomed the launch of the UN Action Plan to Enhance Monitoring and Response to Antisemitism, and urged all relevant actors to dismantle harmful stereotypes and foster dialogue and human dignity.
This marks the fifth joint statement at the Human Rights Council organized with WJC’s involvement, building on previous declarations delivered by then Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in October 2021, Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Káčer, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský on October 6, 2023—just one day before the October 7 terrorist attack—and Austrian Ambassador Désirée Schweitzer in October 2024.
The statement was signed by Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay.
To read the full statement, click here.
