The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) launched a new report discussing human rights violations resulting from the institutionalization and application of the controversial IHRA definition by the European Union and the UK.
Entitled “Suppressing Palestinian Rights Advocacy through the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism – Violating the Rights to Freedom of Expression and Assembly in the European Union and the UK”, the report is based on 53 recorded incidents between 2017 and 2022.
The accused, individuals, organizations, and groups, were targeted for advocating for Palestinian rights, denouncing Israel’s practices and policies and/or criticizing Zionism as a political ideology.
When legally challenged, most of these allegations of antisemitism were dismissed as unsubstantiated, the report pointed out, adding that Analysis of the cases reveals a highly problematic pattern in which the IHRA definition is being implemented.
The ELSC report explained that the IHRA definition chills free speech and curtails freedom of assembly, resulting in the self-censorship of individuals afraid to face allegations of antisemitism.
As confirmed by the ELSC report, allegations of antisemitism invoking the IHRA definition are overwhelmingly aimed at Palestinians, Jewish activists, and organizations advocating for Palestinian rights.
“This suggests the definition is being implemented in a discriminatory manner. Individuals who are targeted suffer a range of unjust and harmful consequences, including loss of employment and reputational damage,” the report added.
The ELSC report also criticized the European Commission for consistently ignoring and dismissing the growing human rights concerns about the IHRA definition, and for failing to take measures to prevent any adverse impact of it on fundamental rights.
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