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Combating Antisemitism

27.06.2016

The Romanian IHRA Chairmanship has launched a training program for public servants, magistrates, law enforcement agencies and diplomats on the topic of combating antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and the Holocaust denial.

From 9-10 June 2016, the program was attended by Romanian judges and prosecutors and contemporary forms of antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and Holocaust denial were discussed in relation to the existing legal framework. The members of the Romanian delegation to the IHRA also contributed to the debates.

The training was organized with the support of the Romanian specialized institutions – the National Institute for Magistrates, the National Council on Combating Discrimination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania – and the participation of trainers from the OSCE-Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as well as Yad Vashem.

The IHRA Chair, Ambassador Mihnea Constantinescu, opened the training program stating that “one of the Romanian IHRA Chairmanship’s priorities is consolidation at the level of the Romanian law enforcement institutions the importance of correctly using the legal provisions when handling antisemitic crimes. The training for the Romanian magistrates is an example of commitment to contribute to the wider efforts in combatting antisemitism, extremism, racism, xenophobia". He also referred to the Romanian legislation prohibiting organizations and symbols with fascist, racist or xenophobic character and the cult of personalities guilty of crimes against peace and humanity.

The next training for the public servants will take place in early July, and will be attended by 100 Romanian police officers.