UN rights chief warns of ‘rampant’ antisemitism, says Jews face increasing threats

Antisemitism is “rampant” 80 years after the Holocaust, the UN’s rights chief Volker Turk says, also denouncing increasing attacks on diversity as US President Donald Trump rolls back inclusion measures in the United States.

Turk, in a statement marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, recalls how eight decades ago on Monday, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camps were liberated.

“Exhausted, emaciated, terrified, and sick, those 7,000 were all that remained of 1.3 million men, women and children who had been deported to Auschwitz,” Turk says.

He says Holocaust Remembrance Day is a wake-up call to the dangers of indifference, complacency and apathy, and a reminder of the duty to stand against intolerance.

“Today, hateful rhetoric is reverberating across much of our world,” the UN high commissioner for human rights says.

“Antisemitism is rampant, on our streets and online. Jews face increasing intimidation, threats and physical violence,” he warns.

He urges people to fight for dignity and human rights, and to condemn and prevent antisemitism, bigotry, intolerance and hatred.

“Discrimination and dehumanization are winning out over solidarity and compassion; diversity is viewed as a threat rather than something to be treasured; and many leaders are undermining and weakening the rule of law,” Turk says.

Turk does not name any particular country or leader, but his appeal comes as President Trump has ramped up anti-diversity measures since taking office on Monday.

In particular, Trump has suspended employees from diversity programs and promised to sweep away policies in favor of transgender people.