EU coordinators on antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred

European Union First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová have appointed Ms Katharina von Schnurbein as coordinator on combating antisemitism and Mr David Friggieri as coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred.

The appointment of two coordinators on combating antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred had been announced in the Commission’s First Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights held in October 2015.

Ms Katharina von Schnurbein has been coordinating the Commission’s dialogue with Churches, religions, philosophical and non-confessional organisations. From 2004-2010 she was the Commission’s spokesperson for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal opportunities, and from 2002-2004 she worked as press officer at the Delegation of the European Commission to the Czech Republic.

Mr David Friggieri has been working within the Commission’s Justice Directorate-General on anti-racism policies and fundamental rights since 2012. He is the longest-standing member of the team working on the implementation of the EU’s Framework Decision on racism and xenophobia. Previously, he held legal and policy officer posts within the Commission dealing with European citizenship and free movement.

The two coordinators will bring to the attention of the First Vice-President and the Commissioner the specific concerns of the respective communities and will act as dedicated contact points for these communities while developing the European Commission’s strategy to combat hate crime, hate speech, intolerance and discrimination.

The appointment of Ms Schnurbein is a reflection of the fact that international political coordination is imperative to combat growing Holocaust denial and antisemitism.