Note to Correspondents

United Nations Department of Public Information Co-sponsors Conference

 

on Anti-Semitism, Holocaust Denial, 18-19 November, Dublin, Ireland

 

The United Nations Department of Public Information will co-sponsor the International Conference on Anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial to be held on 18 and 19 November 2010 in Dublin, Ireland.

Hosted by Holocaust Education Trust Ireland, with the support of the Government of Ireland and other partners, the Conference will examine anti-Semitism in both historical and contemporary contexts and consider questions regarding Holocaust denial, including as a form of hate speech. 

The United Nations is committed to combating Holocaust denial.  Through its “Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme”, the Organization helps to ensure that people everywhere are better educated about the events that led to the Holocaust, so as to help prevent future genocide.  The United Nations has called for the rejection of the denial of the Holocaust, in full or in part, in General Assembly resolutions 60/7 and 61/255.

Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, said in his message to the Conference that “Holocaust denial is anti-Semitism.  It wounds the people who suffer the most — the survivors.  And it extends this hurt to every Jewish person, as a heartless reminder of unspeakable cruelty and the ruthless attempt to eliminate every member of their families”.  He also encouraged the participants to work to dispel myths regarding anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial and to fight discrimination.

The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme aims to further understanding of this history and its universal lessons.  It works closely with survivors to ensure that their stories are heard and heeded as a warning of the consequences of anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination. 

For more information on the Programme, please contact Kimberly Mann, Tel:  212 963 6835, e-mail:  mann@un.org, or visit www.un.org/holocaustremembrance.

Holocaust Education Trust Ireland educates and informs about the Holocaust in order to address anti-Semitism and all forms of racism and intolerance. 

For more information about the Conference, please contact Lynn Jackson, Chief Executive, at 353 1 6690593 or info@hetireland.org or visit http://www.hetireland.org.

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For information media • not an official record