OSCE/ODIHR and EU Institutions hold Joint Day of Action against Anti-Semitism and Anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination

Representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and European Union bodies, as well as experts and activists from civil society groups, came together in Brussels on 30 May 2017 for the Joint Day of Action against Anti-Semitism and Anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination.

The day featured workshops, presentations and discussions focusing on current issues related to anti-Semitism, and intolerance and discrimination against Muslims. It was organized by ODIHR, the European Commission (EC) and the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI), in co-operation with the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Parliament Working Group on Antisemitism (WGAS) and the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS).

“Today’s Joint Day of Action serves as an opportunity to remind us that concrete and urgent action is needed to ensure that manifestations of all forms of intolerance do not tear at the fabric of social stability across the OSCE region,” said Cristina Finch, Head of the ODIHR Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department. “While the primary responsibility for addressing acts of intolerance and discrimination rests with OSCE participating States, including their political representatives, initiatives addressing these issues are more effective when a broad range of actors are involved in the process, including the media and civil society.”

Among the events were a public discussion in the European Parliament among MEPs, media professionals, researchers and Muslim community representatives on the portrayal and participation of Muslims in the media, and a roundtable discussion for civil society organizations on the issue of anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination, hosted by the EC and ODIHR at the Commission’s headquarters.

Among the other highlights of the day were public presentations of the new ODIHR publication, Understanding Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities - a Practical Guide, in the European Parliament, and of an ODIHR-commissioned study by the London-based Institute for Jewish Policy Research (IJPR) on the impact of anti-Semitism on Jewish youth, at an event at the Austrian Embassy, as well as a closed expert roudtable on "Muslims in the media", organized by ODIHR and hosted by the Canadian mission to the EU.

“Combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance goes to the very heart of our common European project,” said Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the EC. “By taking responsibility for each other, the Jewish and Muslim communities are sending out a strong signal about the crucial importance of working together towards a common cause.”