In view of the current situation in Europe, the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI) held an exchange of views on antisemitism and other forms of intolerance and hatred based on religion on 6 December, during its 8th plenary meeting. The exchange of views gathered government experts and civil society representatives, members of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Antisemitic, Anti-Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes, and Permanent Representatives of member and observer states to the Council of Europe.
The exchange of views aimed to provide a venue to government experts from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and other participants to mutually benefit from sharing experiences and information on antisemitism and other forms of intolerance and hatred based on religion and on how member states, observers and other players are tackling them.
Many member States reported their initial assessments of a marked increase in antisemitism and anti-Muslim racism and discrimination following recent events, while others reported that the situation remained relatively stable. Data collection, including through surveys with affected communities, and analysis was ongoing. States shared a variety of measures being taken as a priority to combat intolerance and hatred based on religion generally, including through national strategies or action plans, as well as specific measures taken to tackle recent spikes in antisemitic or antimuslim discourse, intolerance and crimes.
Many States highlighted their efforts to enhance dialogue with affected communities and organisations and to work with them to ensure their continued protection. Some had set up specific taskforces in response to an increased level of threat. The role of law enforcement in investigating reported incidents and ensuring security was frequently emphasised. Additional funding had been foreseen in many States to finance additional protective measures, and also to fund projects relating to education, awareness raising and the provision of practical guidance for local communities. Opportunities for intercultural and interfaith exchange, including specific opportunities for young people, were shared as an effective strategy for fighting intolerance.
Maria Marouda, Chair of ECRI, highlighted its recently revised General policy Recommendation No. 9 on preventing and combating Antisemitism and General Policy Recommendation No.5 on Preventing and combating anti-Muslim racism and discrimination. These recommendations provide comprehensive guidance on addressing, preventing and combating antisemitism and anti-Muslim racism and discrimination respectively. Alexandre Guessel, Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitic, anti-Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes provided insights from his role in enhancing and strengthening the Council of Europe’s fight against all forms of religious intolerance.
The Council of Europe has responded to societal challenges across Europe by strengthening its anti-discrimination work through extensive and intense intergovernmental cooperation in line with the May 2023 Declaration of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik. This reinforcement complements the important monitoring work of ECRI and the action of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on antisemitic, anti-Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes.
Significant contributions to preventing and combating antisemitism and other forms of intolerance and hatred based on religion have been made through the adoption of Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)16 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on combating hate speech and the preparation of a draft Committee of Ministers Recommendation on combating hate crime. Moreover, a Study on preventing and combating hate speech in times of crisis provides member States and other actors with valuable guidance on how to prevent and respond to the rise in hate speech provoked by crises such as terrorist attacks.
