Countering Antisemitism and Defending the Memory of the Holocaust
Greece, guided by respect for International Law and a consistent and balanced policy of principles, collaborates in good faith with all countries and international organizations to address various global challenges. Having recently been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Greece monitors the state of human rights worldwide and actively engages, in cooperation with European and international fora as well as civil society, to reinforce respect for human rights and prevent their violation, both of which constitute fundamental components of democratic societies.
Eighty years have passed since the horror of Nazism, which led to millions of victims and the Holocaust, the systematic extermination of six million Jews, including the majority of several Jewish communities in Greece, primarily the one in Thessaloniki which was almost annihilated. We all have a duty to remember and pass on the torch of knowledge and memory to future generations. We should educate and prepare them for a society where antisemitism has no place and is not tolerated.
In this spirit, Greece has recently contributed to the formulation and adoption of three international documents of principles, resulting from significant initiatives aimed at enhancing international cooperation to combat antisemitism and defend the Memory of the Holocaust.
These documents, listed in the chronological order of their adoption, are as follows:
"Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-confiscated Art"
The document was presented on March 5, 2024, in Washington, at a ceremony at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. It originated from an American initiative in collaboration with the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO).
It is a non-binding document of intent for the better implementation of the Principles adopted 25 years ago at the "Washington Conference" (1998), concerning the identification and return of artworks stolen by the Nazis that have not yet been returned to their rightful Jewish or other owners, or to their descendants, if they did not survive the Holocaust.
"Vienna Declaration on enhancing cooperation in fighting antisemitism and encouraging reporting of antisemitic incidents"
The Declaration was initially signed in April 2022 by 11 EU member states, an initiative of Austria, following the first "EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life 2021-2030".
Greece co-signed the "Vienna Declaration" in April 2024, as the 15th EU member state.
It is also a non-binding document of intent, with the specific goal of encouraging the reporting and recording of antisemitic incidents.
"Global Guidelines for Combating Antisemitism"
The "Global Guidelines" are derived from "best practices" that have proven effective in shaping public policy for combating antisemitism internationally. They were an American initiative and were officially presented on July 17, 2024, during the joint session of Special Envoys for combating Antisemitism and the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in Buenos Aires.
It is also a non-binding document of specific intent requested to be implemented by states to promote the fight against antisemitism, such as the explicit condemnation of antisemitic incidents, non-politicization, adoption of a national strategy, utilization of the IHRA operational definition, collection of incidents, education, etc.
Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-confiscated Art