A/50/476
English
Page 5
the International Council of Jewish Women, the World Council of Churches, the
Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations and the World Federalist Movement or taken from specialized journals and the international press.
8.
The Special Rapporteur would like to present to the General Assembly in
this report (i) information on his activities in 1995, both completed and under
way; (ii) a summary of the theoretical problems faced in efforts to combat
present-day racism, together with an account of recent incidents involving
racism and racial discrimination which have been brought to his attention;
(iii) information on specific measures taken by Governments to remedy the
situations described in the report and efforts undertaken by civil society with
the same goal; and (iv) conclusions and recommendations.
II.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR
9.
In this chapter, the Special Rapporteur reports the comments which he
received from Governments and non-governmental organizations following the
submission of his report to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session
(A/49/677, annex) and the exchange of correspondence which ensued. The Special
Rapporteur’s mission to Brazil from 6 to 17 June 1995 and his projected missions
to Germany, France and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
are also briefly described. Finally, the Special Rapporteur discusses
cooperation with other bodies engaged in the fight against racism and racial
discrimination.
A.
Observations concerning the report to the General Assembly
at its forty-ninth session
1.
On the analysis of anti-Semitism
10. Two Jewish organizations - the Consultative Council for Jewish
Organizations and B’nai B’rith - the Government of Israel 2/ and the
organization known as United Nations Watch have expressed reservations
concerning certain portions of paragraphs 22 and 37 dealing with anti-Semitism.
Questions have also been raised concerning paragraphs 24 and 62 but these do not
call for any comment on the part of the Special Rapporteur. According to the
organizations and the Government of Israel, the following passages help to
foster stereotypes concerning Jews and to strengthen anti-Semitism:
(a) Paragraph 22: "Even Holy Scripture has been used to underpin and
justify racism by reference to the curse of Shem and his descendants,
supposedly the Blacks, and to the chosen people or, alternatively, to the
crime of deicide, with the Jews being accused of killing Jesus Christ. The
outcome was slavery and the Black slave trade, the age-old bleeding of
Africa, and anti-Semitism, compounded by the economic power of the Jews."
(b) Paragraph 37: "... Certain adherents of Judaism continue to
treat Christ as an impostor. However, this is a complex and difficult
question which should be left to theologians and the competent clergy."
/...