World Jewish Congress advocates for human rights at UNHRC 44

22 Jul 2020

Representatives of the World Jewish Congress took the floor of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva for its 44th session in recent weeks to advocate for the rights of minorities, an end to the Council’s anti-Israel bias, and the use of available tools to combat hatred and promote ideas of peaceful coexistence.

The WJC has been actively engaged for many years with the UN and its affiliated agencies, both in Geneva and New York, as well as several diplomatic missions, civil society organizations, and the Council. Since 2015, the World Jewish Congress has given approximately 100 statements at the UNHRC in Geneva.

Watch: Statements delivered by WJC representatives at the 44th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, July 2020

Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council, WJC called for governments around the world to equip their youngest citizens with the tools to confront and oppose antisemitism and other hateful messages.

To read WJC Geneva Representative Leon Saltiel’s full statement click here

At the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) WJC spoke of the need to combat the rise of Nazi glorification, Holocaust denial and distortion, jointly with the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, and the European Union of Jewish Students.

To read WJC Geneva Representative Leon Saltiel’s full statement click here

At the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) WJC discussed the findings of the recently published Commission of Inquiry report on Syria and the need to protect vulnerable minority groups such as the Kurds, Christians, Assyrians, Yazidis and Druze.

To read WJC International Relations Officer Sacha Elkaim's full statement click here

Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council, WJC urged the United Nations and governments around the world to use the new digital technologies to promote ideas of peaceful coexistence, oppose extremism and prevent radicalization.

To read WJC International Relations Officer Sacha Elkaim's full statement click here.

At a joint statement with the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, and the European Union of Jewish Students, read by World Union of Jewish Students President Jonathan Braun, the WJC urged the Council to abolish its anti-Israel agenda item 7.

To read World Union of Jewish Students President Jonathan Braun's full statement click here

During a joint statement with the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, and the European Union of Jewish Students, the WJC called for governments, traditional media, online platforms, educators, politicians and all relevant stakeholders take decisive measures against hate speech and its spread online.

To read the full statement click here

To read about WJC at the 43rd session of the UNHRC click here