Antisemitism is the “canary in the coalmine of global hatred,” says UN Special Rapporteur as he delivers groundbreaking report on combating Jew-hatred
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief has said that antisemitism is the “canary in the coalmine of global hatred” and “toxic to democracy” as he delivered his groundbreaking report titled Combatting Antisemitism to Eliminate Discrimination and Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief.
Ahmed Shaheed’s comments echoed those of UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who has previously remarked that “antisemitism is not a problem for the Jewish community alone” but rather threatens “all people’s human rights” and that “where there is antisemitism, there are likely to be other discriminatory ideologies and forms of bias.”
According to one UN watcher, the report marks one of the first times the UN has addressed the issue of antisemitism in any detail.
Unusually for a UN document on the subject, the report recognises antisemitism as a global – rather than merely Western – phenomenon, and observes that it emanates from the far-right, radical Islam and the far-left.
The report notes “an apparent surge in hate motivated by religious animus worldwide, hostility, discrimination and violence motivated by antisemitism.” It even states that it is a problem at the highest echelons of governments, claiming that it is “prevalent, tolerated, or even propagated by state officials”.
It goes on to say this has created a “climate of fear” among many Jews.
While the report notes that significant measures have been taken in Western Europe and the Americas to protect Jews, successful measures to prevent antisemitism online have been “elusive”. It goes on to say antisemitism on the internet is incredibly prevalent and there has been a “resurgence of classic antisemitism in online chatter”.
The report states that “reports of hostility, discrimination and violence motivated by antisemitism have increased in many parts of the world” and that antisemitic attitudes are common. It reports that “studies also demonstrate that anxiety is high among Jewish communities in numerous jurisdictions.”
Despite these alarming findings, the report observes that this trend “has received scant attention as a human rights issue.”
In fact, antisemitic harassment is “significantly underreported” and may be even worse than feared. The report insists that greater communication is needed between civil society entities, Jewish organisations and UN human rights monitors in order to get a firm grip on the problem.
It suggests that better data collection systems are needed as well as accessible and confidential mechanisms for reporting incidents.
Mr. Shaheed asserts that the best way to combat this global problem is a multifaceted, human rights-based approach focused on education. The report urges states to invest in education and training so that citizens have a better understanding of antisemitism and to develop democracies “resilient” to hateful ideologies.
It goes on to say that antisemitism should be combated with counterspeech and education first, rather than more restrictive measures, and it insists that there is an active role for citizens to play, for example in interfaith networks to promote understanding.
The report ends by underscoring the importance for states to take urgent action to address antisemitism. It makes multiple recommendations, with a focus on education within a wider human rights framework.
The report insists that responsibility rests with states and urges acknowledgement of the threat to stability posed by antisemitism. It also presses for the enforcement of existing legislation and acknowledges the helpfulness of the International Definition of Antisemitism in identifying offences.
The British Government was the first in the world to adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism, following discussions with Campaign Against Antisemitism and Lord Pickles. Other national governments and public bodies have followed.
