WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the senior Democratic Senator on the Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), has been named as the Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the 57-nation Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.
Among Senator Cardin’s responsibilities in this position will be to raise awareness in and report to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on the persisting problem of prejudice and discrimination in the OSCE area, including anti-Semitism, other religion- and race-based intolerance and other forms of intolerance.
“No longer content to simmer below the surface, the recent heinous attacks in Paris and Copenhagen have demonstrated the severity and pervasiveness of anti-Semitism and prejudice in the world today,” said Senator Cardin. “Intolerance, expressed by anti-Semitic violence, racism, or xenophobia, takes many forms and wears many faces. I have long fought to shine a spotlight on such activity and supported efforts to address the root causes fueling hate crimes and other forms of discrimination. I am humbled to take on this new and important responsibility within the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. I will use every tool available to raise awareness of this grave issue and push for strong actions to fight back against such gross intolerance.”
In a related development, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed support from a high-ranking European Commission official to create a European Union task force on anti-Semitism.
In a statement published in the Italian newspaper, La Republica, Federica Mogherini, Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the E.U. for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced her support and indicated that she had sent a proposal to Frans Timmerman, the European Commissioner whose portfolio includes human rights and non-discrimination.
“The terror attacks against a kosher store in Paris and the Copenhagen synagogue and the widespread anti-Semitic attacks last summer demand a high-level response, and that response must encompass the entire E.U.,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “Anti-Semitic assaults, hate speech, harassment, and vandalism are severely impacting Jewish communities across the EU. And, these threats know no borders. Last year, a French Islamic extremist returned from Syria via Germany and murdered four people at the Jewish museum in Belgium.
“Some national governments are taking important steps to address anti-Semitism, but action is also required at the E.U. level for Europe’s Jews to truly feel more secure,” said Mr. Foxman. “The support of Vice President Mogherini and leading Italian parliamentarians will bring this important initiative closer to fruition.”
On March 6, ADL sent letters to Forza Italia Chief Whip Renato Brunetta, National Assembly Member Fabrizio Cicchitto of Nuovo Centrodestra, and National Assembly Members Emanuele Fiano, Andrea Manciulli, and Lia Quartapelle of Partito Democratico, thanking them for their support for the task force initiative.
ADL’s Global 100 survey of anti-Semitic attitudes showed significantly higher rates of anti-Semitism in certain EU member nations when compared with the roughly one quarter of all Europeans harboring anti-Semitic views.
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Preceding culled from news releases issued by Senator Ben Cardin and by the Anti-Defamation League,