UN rights chief warns antisemitism is ‘rampant,’ says Jews face increasing threats
Volker Turk says the upcoming 80th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation is a wake-up call to the dangers of de-humanization, complacency and apathy

Antisemitism is “rampant” 80 years after the Holocaust, the United Nations rights chief said Friday, also denouncing increasing attacks on diversity as new United States President Donald Trump rolls back inclusion measures in the US.
Volker Turk, in a statement marking the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, recalled 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 said.
He said Holocaust Remembrance Day was 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 said.
“Antisemitism is rampant, on our streets and online. Jews face increasing intimidation, threats and physical violence,” he warned.

Attacks on Jews worldwide have spiked amid the war in Gaza, which was sparked when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, to kill some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages.
In a report published ahead of the upcoming Auschwitz liberation anniversary, The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany found that a majority of people surveyed in seven Western countries thought a repeat of the Holocaust was feasible, and that a majority of young adults in France — where antisemitic attacks are reportedly at “historic highs” — do not know what the Holocaust is.
Turk, in his address ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, urged 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,” he said.
“And we must celebrate diversity.”
Turk did not name any particular country or leader, but his appeal comes as 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.