GENEVA – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) expressed its deep appreciation to a historic coalition of nations led by Czechia, Austria and Slovakia for their joint statement addressing antisemitism, racism, and intolerance in sports at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Supported and drafted with substantial input from the World Jewish Congress, the Czech Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, presented the statement during a UNHRC session in Geneva.
Highlighting the growing challenges of antisemitism in various societal sectors, the statement sheds light on its presence in sports events and platforms, such as stadiums and social media. It also recognizes sports as a unifying force that spans diverse populations and promotes essential values while underscoring its ability to instill values of respect, dignity, and tolerance.
Dr. Leon Saltiel, WJC’s Director of Diplomacy and representative in Geneva, commented, "Presented at the UN’s principal human rights forum and supported by the learned experiences of the World Jewish Congress, this initiative exemplifies a united stand against antisemitism and the potential of sports as a countermeasure to confront hate speech.
“We are deeply grateful to the Czech, Slovak, and Austrian governments as well as the 62 signatory nations. The World Jewish Congress notes that such cooperation, particularly those that incorporate sporting platforms as a tool, help heighten enthusiasm and manifest global resolve to challenge hate and prejudice. The support from countries across the five continents further exemplifies this united front against the scourge of antisemitism."
The statement is consistent with the WJC's ongoing endeavors within international organizations. The WJC continually encourages joint statements that tackle antisemitism issues, reinforcing our dedication to global cooperation against hate and discrimination. It follows a very successful side event organized by WJC and attended by many nations and leaders within the sporting community at the March UNHRC session.
Engaged profoundly within the sporting community, the World Jewish Congress collaborates on strategies emphasizing the threats of hate and effective countermeasures both in and around sports arenas. Our extensive work has resulted in strategic partnerships with premier sports clubs and global organizations, magnifying the effort against discrimination.
To read the full joint statement, click here.
To watch the video of the statement, click here.
To watch the UNHRC side event on “Combating Antisemitism in and through Sports”, click here.
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