“France, its President, its Prime Minister and its Interior Minister have made the fight against anti-Semitism a national cause. The Council of Europe fully supports this initiative because anti-Semitism is a threat not only in France but all over Europe. For a few years now, our experts, in particular those from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), have been concerned about the resurgence of anti-Semitic acts. Education for human rights and democratic citizenship is central to our efforts to combat this dangerous trend.

European political leaders must move forward the debate on the basic rules for living together more harmoniously in multicultural and multi-faith societies. The European Convention on Human Rights must serve as a basis for the development of these rules. Our actions should always be guided by the lessons of the past, and that is why, as representative of the 47 Council of Europe member states, I will be attending the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in January. The lessons of the past should also serve to safeguard the future. A flourishing future for Jewish communities across Europe.”