News
Exchange of views with Ambassador Musa, OSCE Special Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims
On 7 October, I had the opportunity to have an online meeting with Ambassador İsmail Hakkı Musa, the new Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims. I congratulated him on his appointment. We agreed to continue and build...
Meeting with Chems-Eddine Hafiz, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris
I had the honour of meeting Chems-Eddine Hafiz, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris for an exchange on strategies and initiatives to combat antisemitism, racism and discrimination in particular against Muslims. I informed him of the various recommendations of the Council of Europe, including the...
Informal Meeting of Ministers’ Deputies 18 October 2022: "Strategies to promote tolerance and combat hate"
An informal meeting of Ministers’ Deputies on the topic of "Strategies to promote tolerance and combat hate" will take place on 18 October 2022 from 10am-1pm as part of the Irish Presidency in the context of the work of the Special Representative (SRSG). Guest speakers include: H.E. Miguel Ángel...
Ministerial conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), London
On behalf of the Secretary General, I took part in the 3rd Ministerial Conference Freedom of Religion or Belief, hosted by the UK, following my attendance online of the 2nd FORB ministerial organised by Poland in 2020. The Conference in London provided an ample opportunity to network with other...
75th Anniversary of the Auschwitz Holocaust Museum
On behalf of the Secretary General, I was invited to participate in the 75thAnniversary event of the Auschwitz Holocaust Museum. The event included a dedicated guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps and a seminar on the future of Holocaust remembrance and its role in combating antisemitism....
Expert seminar on anti-Muslim racism and discrimination
Following a series of events on antisemitism and religious intolerance in 2021 (see summary of main activities 2021), a public seminar specifically on the topic of anti-Muslim racism and discrimination was held in Strasbourg on 7 June (programme). International and national experts shared their...
Conference of European Rabbis (CER) 2022 Convention in Munich
The Conference of European Rabbis (CER) brings together some 700 orthodox Rabbis from all over Europe. The CER’s President is Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who has attended several meetings at the Council of Europe, most recently an exchange on combatting antisemitism during the Hungarian Presidency...
Antisemitism envoys gather in Jerusalem for Holocaust Remembrance Day
JERUSALEM – Dozens of global officials tasked with combating antisemitism met in Israel to continue brainstorming on how to end the world’s oldest hatred. The SECCA (Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism) forum, hosted by the World Jewish Congress in cooperation with the Israeli...
Russia must stop aggression and destruction of religious sites and places of worship – joint statement by Special Representatives of OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Council of Europe
As the Russian military attack against Ukraine continues, we mourn the victims of war and lament the millions forced to leave their homes and their country behind, seeking shelter and safety within Ukraine, in Europe and beyond. Children, women and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Many...
Combatting antisemitic and racist hate speech in Italy
Visit to the Milan Shoah Memorial
New Recommendation to European governments on Holocaust Remembrance represents an essential commitment in the fight against antisemitism.
This Recommendation is a breakthrough that has been several years in the making. It is addressed to the governments of the 46 Council of Europe member states, and it will also become an important international point of reference. The text represents the most comprehensive and up-to-date guidance...
“What became the Shoah did not start with physical attacks. It began with hateful words, slander, conspiracy theories and anti-Jewish sentiment that had long existed in parts of Europe”
Message by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Summary of activities 2021
The fight against rising antisemitism is a priority for the Organisation along with combatting anti-Muslim racism and other forms of religious intolerance. The Secretary General’s Special Representative first appointed at the end of 2020, ensures the coordinated and collective expertise of the...
Youth and inter-cultural dialogue: building Europe based on common values, human dignity and mutual respect
On 15 December, youth representatives from different cultural and religious backgrounds were invited to the Council of Europe for a seminar entitled “Young people facing hate speech today: impact and solutions”. Samuel Lejoyeux, President of the Union des Etudiants Juifs de France (UEJF),...
Meeting with Fiona Bruce MP – the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief
I was honoured to meet the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) and her Deputy, David Burrowes, for a detailed exchange of views, facilitated by the UK Delegation to the Council of Europe. Fiona Bruce was nominated Special Envoy for FoRB at the end of 2020...
Meeting with Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany
Dr. Josef Schuster was elected President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany in 2014 and re-elected for another four years in 2018. He recently described the German federal elections as “an expression of living democracy” while warning that the fight against right-wing populism and...
Meeting with Ambassador Ismat Jahan, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
I was honoured to receive Ambassador Ismat Jahan, OIC Permanent Observer to the European Union for a courtesy visit at the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe has previously organised several study visits for the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission. In our meeting we discussed...
Combating Antisemitism: Government, Parliamentary, Civil Society and Business Responses
Together with the Delegation of Israel to international organisations in France, the Secretary General’s Special Representative is hosting a seminar in Paris on 8 November, entitled “Combating Antisemitism: Government, Parliamentary, Civil Society and Business Responses”. Keynote speakers include...
Dimension of “Living Together” and intercultural dialogue: the model of Judeo-Moroccan culture
I wish to thank colleagues from the European Cultural Routes secretariat in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Strasbourg for holding this symposium on Judeo-Moroccan culture. Morocco is an excellent example of how to protect Jewish heritage in a...
Pandemic Hate: COVID-related Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred on Social Media
The Council of Europe’s Special Representative on religious intolerance and hate crimes, Daniel Höltgen, will take part in the launch of a new report on COVID-related antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred on social media in Brussels on Monday 18 October. The report has been compiled by the...