Czech Republic and Slovakia become the latest countries to adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism

The Czech Republic and Slovakia have become the latest countries to adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism.

The Czech Republic Parliament’s Lower House has adopted a resolution that recognises the Definition. The resolution was adopted during a session to remember the victims of the Holocaust ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Lower House speaker, Radek Vondracek, said it could help authorities deal with hate crimes.

The National Council of Slovakia has also formally adopted the Definition. The text of the resolution, which was initiated by the Speaker of the National Council, Andrej Danko, passed with 112 votes in favour out of 150. According to Mr Danko, the absence of a clear definition of antisemitism and Holocaust denial has hindered the ability of prosecutors and law enforcement authorities to deal with serious crime. He said that: “We live in a difficult time when fundamental human rights are being denied, we also have a policy of people who deny the Holocaust.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism applauds the decisions, which demonstrate the Czech and Slovakian governments’ solidarity with the Jewish community at this worrying time for Jews in Europe.

Britain was the first country in the world to adopt the Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Eric Pickles and others worked hard for over many meetings with officials at Downing Street.