WJC at UNHRC │Bolivia’s Jewish Leader Recalls Holocaust-Era Support, Urges Renewal of Ties with Israel

During Bolivia’s Universal Periodic Review at the 59th session of the 2025 UN Human Rights Council, Dr. Ricardo Udler, President of the Jewish Community of Bolivia, delivered a statement on behalf of the World Jewish Congress. He expressed appreciation for Bolivia’s historic support of Holocaust survivors and the establishment of the State of Israel, while raising concern over the country’s current lack of diplomatic ties with Israel, its engagement with state sponsors of terrorism, and the erosion of judicial independence and democratic freedoms.

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Representative delivering the statement: Dr. Ricardo Udler

Mr. President,

My name is Dr. Ricardo Udler. I am the President of the Jewish Community of Bolivia. It is an honor for me to address you on behalf of the World Jewish Congress.

We, as the Bolivian Jewish Community, are infinitely grateful to the State of Bolivia. I must emphasize that Bolivia was one of the few Latin American countries that granted visas to Holocaust survivors so they could escape from National Socialism and arrive in this blessed country.

Likewise, Bolivia emphatically voted YES in the election for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 at the United Nations. For this reason, this community is eternally grateful.

Unfortunately, currently Bolivia does not have diplomatic relations with the State of Israel and does with countries that promote terrorism globally. Furthermore, there are political prisoners in the jails who long for their freedom and to live fully in a democratic state. In Bolivia, the independence of the judiciary does not exist and is intimately subordinated to the national government as they are the ones who appoint the judicial authorities.

The Jewish community supports a rule of law and will continue to contribute to the well-being and good coexistence in Bolivia.

Thank you very much.