Print
See related documents
Resolution 2106 (2016)
Renewed commitment in the fight against antisemitism in Europe
1. Targeted attacks against members
of the Jewish community in recent years in several Council of Europe member
States demonstrate that antisemitism is not a curse of the past,
but is a threat and a reality in Europe today.
2. The Parliamentary Assembly has observed for some years a worrying
increase in the number of manifestations of hate speech, racism,
xenophobia and intolerance in Europe affecting migrants and asylum seekers,
Jews, Muslims and Roma, Sinti and Travellers. It has relentlessly
condemned manifestations of hatred and intolerance and called on
its members to take a strong stand against them.
3. Historically, manifestations of antisemitism have shown how
prejudice and intolerance can lead to systematic harassment, discrimination
and ultimately mass killings and genocide. Still today, persisting stereotypes,
insults and physical violence are experienced on a daily basis by
members of the Jewish community in Europe. Limited protection mechanisms
and the partial implementation of anti-discrimination and anti-racism
legislation do not guarantee equality and safety for all.
4. Antisemitism and its manifestations are in contradiction with
the fundamental values of the Council of Europe. It finds its origin
in deep-rooted prejudice in society against Jews, which will only
be overcome by increased awareness-raising efforts among the population
and strong political condemnation. The Assembly expresses its concerns
regarding the perpetuation of discriminatory stereotypes and calls
for action to combat this scourge.
5. Most Council of Europe member States have taken relevant action
to combat antisemitism and discrimination. But in the light of recent
events, member States need to be increasingly vigilant and step
up efforts to respond to new challenges. Governments and parliaments
should consider the fight against antisemitism as a priority and
their responsibility, as an integral part of policies and action
to counter all forms of hatred.
6. Referring to its Resolution
1563 (2007) on combating anti-Semitism in Europe, the
Assembly recalls that antisemitism represents a danger for all democratic
States as it serves as a pretext for the use of and justification
for violence. The Assembly also supports the work of the European
Commission against Racism and Intolerance in preventing and combating
all forms of racism and intolerance, including antisemitism. Full implementation
of its General Policy Recommendation No. 9 on the fight against
antisemitism and follow-up to its recommendations following country
visits need to be ensured.
7. In the light of these considerations, the Assembly calls on
Council of Europe member States, observers and partners for democracy
to:
7.1. with regard to the condemnation
and prosecution of antisemitic crimes:
7.1.1. ensure, while
safeguarding freedom of expression, that the legislative framework
on combating discrimination on any ground and hate speech is comprehensive
and implemented, covering manifestations of antisemitism, such as
public incitement to violence, hatred or discrimination, public
insults, threats and desecration and profanation of Jewish property
and monuments;
7.1.2. make the public denial, trivialisation, justification
or praise of the Holocaust (“Shoah”), of crimes of genocide and
of crimes against humanity a criminal offence, where this is not
yet the case;
7.1.3. make a motive based on race, national or ethnic origin,
religion or belief an aggravating factor in a criminal offence,
where this is not yet the case;
7.1.4. ensure the prosecution of political figures and political
parties for antisemitic statements and incitement to hatred;
7.1.5. suppress public funding of organisations and political
parties promoting antisemitism;
7.1.6. sign and ratify, if they have not yet done so, Protocol
No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 177);
7.2. with regard to the reporting of antisemitic and other
hate crimes:
7.2.1. increase the level of trust in the national
authorities by providing police officers with training on combating
hate crime and discrimination, and setting up dedicated anti-hate
crime units in police forces, where such units do not yet already
exist;
7.2.2. encourage victims to report antisemitic and other hate
crimes by launching information campaigns on how to report such
crimes;
7.2.3. step up efforts to ensure that a comprehensive and efficient
system is put in place for the collection of data on hate crimes,
disaggregated by motivation, and ensure the publication of the number
of complaints and their motivation;
7.2.4. encourage co-operation between the police, the judiciary,
educators and civil society organisations in assisting victims of
hate crime;
7.3. with regard to the prevention of antisemitism:
7.3.1. require that educational programmes emphasise the link
between current manifestations of hatred and intolerance and the
Holocaust (“Shoah”);
7.3.2. ensure that the teaching of the Holocaust (“Shoah”) is
made an integral part of the curriculum at secondary level and that
teachers receive specific training;
7.3.3. encourage exchanges between children and young people
of different faiths via joint activities, cultural programmes and
sports events;
7.3.4. engage in reflections and debates, at governmental and
parliamentary levels, with the participation of political and religious
leaders of different faiths, spiritual and humanistic beliefs, on
the reasons behind the persistence of negative stereotyping and
the root causes of antisemitism;
7.3.5. oblige perpetrators of antisemitic acts to participate
in educational programmes on the Holocaust (“Shoah”);
7.3.6. launch awareness-raising campaigns promoting respect and
harmonious living together, including in the framework of school
curricula and integration programmes for migrants and refugees;
7.3.7. actively promote the Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust
and for the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity;
7.4. with regard to antisemitism in the media and online antisemitic
hate speech:
7.4.1. encourage the media to promote respect
for all religious faiths and appreciation of diversity and to report
impartially on antisemitic attacks and on world events;
7.4.2. urge Internet service providers and social media to take
specific action to prevent and combat online hate speech;
7.4.3. sign and ratify, if they have not yet done so, the Additional
Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation
of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer
systems (ETS No. 189).
8. The Assembly calls on the member States to take necessary
measures to ensure the security of Jewish people and their religious,
educational and cultural premises in close consultation and dialogue
with Jewish communities and their representatives.
9. The Assembly encourages national parliaments, including partners
for democracy, to co-operate with the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance
and the No Hate Speech Movement in their activities to prevent and
combat antisemitism and other forms of hate speech and intolerance.
The Assembly also calls for increased dialogue on means to prevent
and combat antisemitism with the observer delegation of the Knesset
at the Assembly.
10. The Assembly urges members of national parliaments and political
leaders to systematically and publicly condemn antisemitic statements
and engage in counter speech and alternative narratives. It also
encourages them to set up an all-party parliamentary group against
antisemitism to strengthen the fight across the political spectrum.
11. The Assembly recognises the important role of civil society
organisations in preventing and combating all forms of hatred and
intolerance and calls for their continuous financial support.
12. Referring to Recommendation
1962 (2011) on the religious dimension of intercultural
dialogue and Recommendation
2080 (2015) on freedom of religion and living together
in a democratic society, the Assembly reiterates its proposal that
the Committee of Ministers set up a stable and officially recognised
platform for dialogue between the Council of Europe and senior representatives
of religions and non-denominational organisations.