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Romania Adopts Working Definition of Antisemitism

29.05.2017

According to a Memorandum approved by the Romanian Government on the 25 May, Romania has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism which was adopted, by consensus, at the IHRA Plenary meeting in Bucharest exactly one year earlier.

According to the Government’s decision, the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs, together with law enforcement institutions, will take measures to ensure the use of this instrument in their activities, including in  professional training programs. Following the recommendations of the Ministry of Justice, the Romanian Government will address the Parliament with a view to amending the existing legal framework, by including a reference to this working definition. In addition, the Ministry of National Education will ensure the inclusion of the working definition in the civic education curriculum.

In its public statement after taking this decision, the Romanian Government affirms that “the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism is confirmation of Romania’s commitment as IHRA Member Country and an expression of Romania’s resolute action against antisemitism, extremism, racism and all forms of discrimination and intolerance”. By taking this decision “the Romanian society will gain an efficient instrument for better defining antisemitic actions and for better understanding the consequences deriving from these”.

For more information, please consult the fact sheet on the working definition of antisemitism and the press release on the adoption of the working definition of antisemitism in May 2016.

In October 2013 the IHRA's 31 Member Countries also adopted a working definition of Holocaust denial and distortion.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance unites governments and experts to strenghten, advance and promote Holocaust education, remembrance and research world-wide and to uphold the commitments of the 2000 Stockholm Declaration.

Image: Adoption of the working definition of antisemitism at the IHRA Plenary in Bucharest, Romania, on 26 May 2016.