A/74/358
also working to restore and protect the second-oldest Jewish cemetery in the world
and to open a new Jewish museum, in efforts spearheaded by an NGO but supported
by the Government. 83 In Tunisia, the State provides security for all synagogues and
partially subsidizes their maintenance and restoration costs. Senior State functionaries
participate in important Jewish festivals to demonstrate solidarity (A/HRC/40/58/Add.1,
para. 47).
61. In Sweden, the Living History Forum, a public body, produces educational
exhibition material and materials for the classroom on democracy and human rights
and uses the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity as a starting point. Many
States provide Holocaust education in schools. However, the Special Rapporteur
notes the concern among many stakeholders that Holocaust education is not enough
to effectively teach people to recognize and respond to antisemitism. Empathy
training, religious education and modern images of Jews should be promoted through
education for children.
V. Conclusions: the impact of antisemitism on the right to
freedom of religion or belief
62. The Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of
Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief unequivocally condemns discrimination
and intolerance on the basis of religion or belief. In article 2 (2) of the Declaration,
intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief are defined as “any
distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on religion or belief and having
as its purpose or as its effect nullification or impairment of the recognition, enjoyment
or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis”.
63. The Special Rapporteur is alarmed by the increase in antisemitism in many
countries, driven by sources that include individuals motivated by white supremacist
and radical Islamist ideologies. Furthermore, he is alarmed by v iolent attacks
targeting Jewish communities worldwide and by information indicating that some
authorities have allegedly incited, directly engaged in or failed to respond to violent
or threatening antisemitic acts committed by private actors. He is also concerned at
the apparent increase in expressions of antisemitism emanating from sources on the
political left, as well as discriminatory laws, regulations and policies of States.
64. As a result of this increase in antisemitism, members of the Jewish communities
in a number of countries have reported that they are increasingly reluctant to display
religious attire, such as the kippa, or to carry out public discussions in a traditional
language indicative of their ethno-religious heritage (Hebrew) for fear of being
subject to harassment, discrimination or violence. Individuals also report abstaining
from identifying publicly as Jews, expressing their cultural identity or attending
Jewish religious and cultural events, which effectively excludes Jews from public life.
In many places, the threats faced by Jewish communities have compelled them to seek
or establish extensive security measures for their places of worship, schools and other
religious and cultural sites. It is therefore critical that Governments be expeditious
now in their efforts to combat antisemitism, which not only impairs the human rights
of Jews, but also, if left unchecked in any society, will serve to undermine peace and
security for all.
65. It is impossible to deduce with any certainty the full extent of antisemitic acts
committed, either globally or in any one country, given the disparities in monitoring
and reporting methodologies and the serious and pervasive underreporting of such
acts by victims worldwide. Consequently, policymakers may face challenges when
__________________
83
18/23
Consultation with the Drop of Milk organization, Egypt.
19-16257