Remarks by Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
High Representative for UNAOC,
at “Working Together to Counter Antisemitism – A Global Human Rights Challenge”
Geneva – 4 September 2024
Good morning,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
At the outset, I wish to warmly thank Ambassador Michele Taylor, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt and the World Jewish Congress for organizing this timely event. I am very pleased to be part of it.
The rise in antisemitism and Jew-hatred is alarming. This toxic hate is crossing geographical boundaries and is not confined to one country, or one continent.
Therefore, I re-iterate my firm belief that antisemitism in not a Jewish problem. It has been and will always be a global problem.
This past July, I had the privilege to participate in the moving ceremony commemorating 30th Anniversary of the AMIA terrorist attack in Buenos Aires. I was humbled by the testimonies of AMIA survivors and the families of the innocent victims . Their bravery and endurance are inspiring.
The ceremony was a painful reminder that antisemitism still thrives in many societies around the world.
We should never let our guard down.
Being alert means, learning lessons from the past.
To never be indifferent to the suffering of others.
To refuse to allow impunity to override justice.
We all have a responsibility to address and combat antisemitism.
I say “we” because I believe that siloed approaches will fall short.
We should intensify our prevention efforts, to denounce discrimination and to resolve conflicts before they engulf everything and everyone.
Speaking out and condemning antisemitism unequivocally is imperative.
And what is true for antisemitism is true for other forms of hate.
Racism. Anti-Muslim bigotry. Xenophobia. Homophobia. Misogyny.
I, like other senior UN officials, have done so on several instances.
Over the past two decades, the United Nations system has, with Member States’ encouragement and support, engaged in many actions to respond to antisemitic narratives, condemn antisemitic incidents and promote educational and awareness-raising efforts to counter antisemitism and address other forms of identity-based hatred and religious intolerance.
We only know too well that the dehumanization of the other diminishes societies.
And discrimination and bigotry on the account of a person’s religion, beliefs, race, or ethnicity is a violation of human rights and international law.
It’s a despicable act that breaches everything the United Nations stands for.
Upholding human rights and, protection of all individuals’ dignity are the connecting threads that run through every area of the UN’s work. They cut through silos and across every sector, mirroring the full spectrum of national governance – clarifying priorities and helping to advance social and economic stability, inclusion, trust and justice. It is also the most transversal prevention tool that we have.
It is in this context that we should pause to analyze what worked and what didn’t work.
Distinguished participants,
I would like to re-iterate the clear position of the United Nations regarding antisemitism. I say with confidence the United Nations is NOT antisemitic.
Senior officials including myself have stressed publicly in numerous occasions that the denial of the right to existence of the State of Israel was a form of antisemitism. This position has been and continues to be maintained.
We can have disagreements sometimes with the policies or the actions of the government of Israel, but that can never be confused with a very clear belief that the right of the people of Israel to live in security is necessary.
Now moving to practical steps in addressing antisemitism:
2024 started off with a very moving visit to Auschwitz-Birkaneau concentration camps representing the United Nations to the European Jewish Association delegation to Auschwitz-Birkenau to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
I have alluded earlier in my speech to my mission in Buenos Aires.
I must say that I have learned a lot from those missions and from talking to many of you who are present in this room, and elsewhere
Therefore, my office has been working on a UN Plan of Action to Monitor Antisemitism and Enhance a System Wide Response in coordination and consultation with UN relevant entities including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Department of Global Communication and the Office of the Special Advisor for Genocide Prevention as well as with other important stakeholders such as Amb Lipstadt’s office , the EC Special Coordinator, and other Envoys and Coordinators to Combat Antisemitism . In addition of course, to a core group of the major Jewish organizations with whom I meet regularly.
We are currently re-drafting the plan considering the grave developing situation since October 7.
The appropriate time to launch of the Plan will be coordinated with all these stakeholders.
Nonetheless, the plan is not an end in itself.
Numerous action points could be implemented .
For example my office plans to launch a Dialogue series on addressing forms of religious intolerance including antisemitism.
A learning workshop on antisemitism is also planned with the World Jewish Congress in New York.
Distinguished delegates,
I understand the urgency of taking action.
The normalization of Jew-hatred is bone-chilling.
The weaponization of religions by political leaders is disturbing.
Our world today needs the return of reason and rejection of the lies and the loathing that propelled the Nazis to commit their atrocious crimes.
I truly believe that people are not born to hate. They learn to hate.
And hate can be unlearned.
I remain committed to continue to speak out and stand up against the pernicious forces of discrimination, racism and hate and to working with you all to enhance global efforts to address antisemitism.
Let’s continue to work together regardless of whether we agree on everything or disagree because we all share one valuable asset: our Humanity.
I thank you and I look forward to the discussions.