This comes just a day after the The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has issued a statement expressing its abhorrence on the reported summary execution of six Israeli hostages who were among those abducted by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the October 7 terrorist attacks.
According to news reports, their bodies were recovered by the Israeli army last weekend from a tunnel near the border with Egypt.
Following the news, OHCHRUS High Commissioner Volker Türk called for an ‘independent, impartial and transparent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.’
‘Strong increase’ after October 7
In his statement on Wednesday at a workshop on the topic in Geneva, Mr Türk noted that there has been a rise in reports of anti-Semitic attacks and hate speech worldwide, with a “sharp increase” following the attacks on southern Israel, which have fueled the ongoing war in Gaza.
He said that anti-Semitic acts “left deep scars that are difficult to heal. But we can – and must – learn from them.”
He said that both UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UVRM) are guided and strengthened by the fundamental goal of overcoming “hatred and ignorance that fuel violence, destruction and dehumanization.”
Tackling Antisemitism
The human rights chief noted that “people have been attacked. Lives have been threatened” following the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October.
“Homes and religious buildings have been defaced with messages intended to instill fear and stir up hatred,” he continued.
The High Commissioner further noted an increase in hate speech against the Jewish community on social media, as well as “inflammatory and toxic rhetoric” used by “irresponsible political leaders.”
“This is unacceptable and we must tackle it together in all its forms“, said Mr Türk.
Zero tolerance
Mr Türk emphasised his recent call for zero tolerance towards anti-Semitism in sport during the Human Rights Council‘s panel on promoting human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal.
He also said his office was hosting a panel discussion in Berlin, concurrent with the World Jewish Congress, on combating anti-Semitism in football during the UEFA European Football Championship.
“It is of paramount importance that states and other actors take steps to address (anti-Semitism) – and all forms of hate speech that use our diversity of origins and beliefs as a weapon,” he said.
To address this issue, we must ban the promotion of forms of hatred that lead to violence and ensure the full protection of all communities under the law, the Human Rights Commissioner said.
Mr Türk encourages Member States to develop anti-discrimination laws and encourages citizens to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards anti-Semitism.
“Anti-Semitism is not only an insult to Jewish communities; it is an attack on our collective humanity – breeding, discrimination and violence,” Mr. Türk said. “We all have a duty to eradicate it.”