FRIENDS OF SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER COMMENDS THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FOR VOTING AGAINST ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR DURBAN II

TORONTO - Canada was one of eleven countries who voted against a UN Resolution which called for "adequate additional resources" for further support of the Durban II hate conference.   The Third Committee of the General Assembly requested these funds in order to "discharge its mandate fully".

Of the 176 member nations who voted, thirty-five abstained and sadly, one hundred and thirty voted in favour of the resolution.

"The Canadian government is to be commended for its resolute stance for truth and justice", said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies. 

"While the Resolution passed in favour of the funding, Canada's withdrawal from Durban II and steadfast dismissal of the entire process provides a moral compass for the world body", Benlolo said.

"Sadly, the targeting of Israel at the UN this week and the tragic massacre in Mumbai are direct examples of the impending threat posed to democratic nations by those who wish to undermine democracies".

About Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies is a Canadian human rights organization dedicated to fostering tolerance and understanding through community involvement, educational outreach and social action. It has 25,000 members across Canada, and confronts important contemporary issues including racism, antisemitism, terrorism and genocide. The Center is affiliated with the world-wide, Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, an accredited Non-Government Organization with status at international agencies, including the United Nations, UNESCO, OSCE and the Council of Europe. With over 400,000 members of all faiths around the world, the Simon Wiesenthal Center has offices in New York, Miami, Paris, Jerusalem, Buenos Aires and Toronto.  Simon Wiesenthal died in 2005 after devoting his life to preserving the memories of the victims of the Holocaust, while simultaneously seeking justice for the war criminals. 

FSWC is supported by concerned Canadians. To donate, visit www.fswc.ca <http://www.fswc.ca/>  (donate).


Media Contacts: 
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies
416-864-9735
www.fswc.ca <http://www.fswc.ca/>