Governments need to step up their efforts to address anti-Semitism, say participants at OSCE Civil Society Forum

BERLIN, 12 November 2014 – Political will on the part of governments and partnership with civil society are crucial in addressing challenges related to contemporary anti-Semitism in the OSCE region, participants at an OSCE conference said today in Berlin.

The Civil Society Forum was part of a two-day conference to mark the 10th anniversary of the OSCE’s Berlin Conference on anti-Semitism, organized jointly by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). A high-level conference marking the anniversary will take place tomorrow.

The Forum, which is part of the Swiss Chairmanship’s efforts to involve civil society in the work of the OSCE, brings together some 200 civil society representatives from more than 30 OSCE participating States, exploring contemporary manifestations of anti-Semitism, including hate crime, Holocaust denial, and anti-Semitic expressions on the Internet, and the role of governments in addressing these challenges.

“The hallmark of a democracy is the strength of its civil society,” said Deidre Berger, Director of the AJC Berlin Ramer Institute for German Jewish-Relations and one of the co-chairs of the civil society steering committee in charge of preparing the Forum. “It is imperative, therefore, that civil society takes an active role in addressing anti-Semitism, which is a threat to democratic values. The OSCE plays a unique role in bringing civil society and governments together and facilitating their co-operation.”

Juliane Wetzel, a Senior Researcher at the Center for Research on Antisemitism and the second co-chair, emphasized the role the Berlin Declaration played in highlighting the importance of education in countering anti-Semitic stereotypes, prejudices and resentment.

“Since 2004, ODIHR, in co-operation with other organizations, has developed teaching materials on anti-Semitism in Europe, which are used in many countries with success,” Wetzel said. “The commemorative conference this year is an opportunity to share good practices and identify gaps in implementation.”

The Civil Society Forum was also attended by representatives of youth and student organizations from different OSCE participating States.

Jane Braden-Golay, President of the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), said she is proud to be one of the many young activists shaping the agenda on countering anti-Semitism.

“It’s rare that young people get to speak about their experiences and contribute their ideas so directly,” Braden-Golay, said. “This opportunity inspired all of us to get us to work together in addressing anti-Semitism.”

Ilja Sichrovsky, Founder and Secretary-General of the Muslim Jewish Conference, stressed the intertwined aspects of anti-Semitism and other forms of racism.

“Fighting with all our hearts against all forms of racism, we can, one day, create a world for the future generations, where we do not hate anyone anymore because of the place they were born, the colour of their skin or the way they worship,” said Sichrovsky.

In the 2004 “Berlin Declaration”, OSCE participating States condemned all acts motivated by anti-Semitism or other forms of religious or racial hatred, and agreed to take specific, practical counter-measures.

The recommendations developed by the Civil Society Forum will be presented to government representatives at tomorrow’s high-level commemorative event.