In September 2019, the UN published a first-ever stand-alone human rights report dedicated solely to antisemitism, authored by Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. It documents rising antisemitic violence and hate speech around the world and identifies it as a threat to Jews and as “toxic” to democratic societies.
The Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights (JBI) convened two expert consultations – one in Geneva involving global antisemitism monitors to share insights into the state of antisemitism around the world and best practices, and one on antisemitism in the United States – that informed the Special Rapporteur’s report. Additionally, JBI helped provide Dr. Shaheed with contacts in smaller Jewish communities that he would otherwise have had difficulty accessing.
Dr. Shaheed recommended for all States to adopt the Working Definition of Antisemitism, another first for a UN report. AJC and JBI support Dr. Shaheed’s additional recommendation for an appointment of a UN focal point on antisemitism.
At AJC headquarters in New York, Dr. Shaheed addressed AJC and JBI leaders about his groundbreaking report. Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt offered comments. A recording of the presentation can be found in the video above.
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