Simon Wiesenthal Center Applauds Latin American Parliament’s Adoption of IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

May 18, 2023

The SWC is commending the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO) for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism through a declaration approved today. A few months ago, the Wiesenthal Center, who has status as recognized NGO partner by the international organization, raised the official request.

Dr. Ariel Gelblung, Director of the Center for Latin America, was invited to present the reasons in person, explain the international evolution of the adoption by countries, international organizations and Civil Society institutions and answer any questions from the Board of Directors.

Parlatino General Assembly

This was followed by  the formation of two articles of Declaration on behalf of the organization that brings together Congresspersons from 23 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The first article of declaration adopts the IHRA Definition. In the second, it urges "the Member Parliaments to adopt the indicated definition as an active way of combating hate speech and as a tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, as well as to act specifically against Antisemitism in our days and on all other forms of discrimination, in accordance with the following purposes enshrined in the PARLATINO Institutionalization Treaty and unanimously approved by the Parties: ‘to ensure strict respect for fundamental human rights, and that they are not affected in any Latin American State in any way that undermines human dignity’; ‘fight for the suppression of all forms of colonialism, neocolonialism, racism, and any other form of discrimination in Latin America’”

Dr. Gelblung adressing the Board of Directors

Dr. Gelblung maintained that “PARLATINO approved other initiatives of the Wiesenthal Center, such as support for our 11-Point Program against Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia in Sports, the condemnation of suicide bombings and the rejection of Antisemitism. The logical step that should be taken after that last statement is the Adoption of the IHRA Definition. This adoption has a high value because it does not come from an organization that represents governments but from their Congresses, where there are pro-government and opposition delegates from an entire continent. In this way, the entire ideological spectrum agrees to understand that Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem but just one of the societies that tolerate it.”

Senator Silvia Giacoppo, President of PARLATINO and Dr. Gelblung

Lea Mas en Espanol: El Parlamento Latinoamericano y del Caribe Adopta la Definición de Antisemitismo de la IHRA

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).