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BM75: Combating Anti-Semitism: student unions to take responsibility

10.12.2018
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BM75 Resolution: Combating Anti-Semitism: student unions to take responsibility 

Anti-Semitism and its manifestations contradict fundamental values as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1), the European Convention on Human Rights (2) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (3), Anti-Semitism reflects deep-rooted prejudice in society against Jews, which will only be overcome by increased awareness-raising efforts among the population and strong political condemnation. Historically, manifestations of anti-Semitism 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 across Europe.

These worrying trends are mirrored in the Jewish community’s perception of anti- Semitism, as shown by the 2013 Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) Survey: Discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU Member States: experiences and perceptions of anti-Semitism (4). At the same time, these same incidents have thus far failed to appropriately raise the concerns of civil society at large. Awareness-raising, in-depth understanding by policymakers, and commitment to act are key elements in bridging this gap.

 

The European Students’ Union acknowledges:

  • That anti-Semitism is a form of racism that is under no circumstances acceptable; 

  • That fighting racism is a core mission and responsibility for European Student’s Union; 

  • The Council of Europe Resolution 2106 (2016) on “Renewed commitment in the fight 
against anti-Semitism in Europe” (5) as a starting point for action; 

  • The European Parliament resolution on combating anti-Semitism (2017/2692(RSP)) 
(6) as a starting point for action;
  • The European Youth Forum has already adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism in 2018;
  • The European Students’ Union adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism in the anti-discrimination statement during the 75th Board Meeting;
  • That the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Council of Europe Member States has 
risen significantly in recent years as reported by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (7) (OSCE) and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (8) (FRA), among other bodies .


The European Students’ Union resolves

  • To reaffirm its commitment to tackling anti-Semitism in all of its forms; 

  • To adopt and apply the legally non-binding working definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the 31 States of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance 
(IHRA), including all the examples included therein. (Annex 1); 

  • To encourage Member Organisations to adopt and apply the IHRA working definition 
of anti-Semitism with its examples; 

  • To take appropriate action when instances of anti-Semitic speech or 
action occur among its lay leadership, Secretariat, volunteers and Member
Organisations;
  • To publicly denounce actions that are anti-Semitic based on the aforementioned definition; 

  • To advocate with Council of Europe Member States to take appropriate action against anti-Semitism; 
  • To advocate with Council of Europe Member States to protect and valorise the Jewish cultural heritage as well as the Jewish languages in Europe, such as the Yiddish and the Judaeo-Spanish.

(1) – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

(2) – The European Convention on Human Rights

(3) – The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

(4) – Discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU Member States: experiences and perceptions of anti- Semitism

(5) – Resolution 2106 (2016), Renewed commitment in the fight against anti-Semitism in Europe

(6)- The European Parliament resolution on combating anti-Semitism (2017/2692(RSP)) 

(7) – Hate Crime

(8) – Fra Europa – Anti Semitism 

 

 

Proposed by: fzs, NUIS

Seconded by: ÖH, VSS UNES USU, KSU, CREUP, PSRP, SPUM

 

The aim of this Resolution is to defend Human Rights and is not aimed at being used as a political tool.

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