At the 39th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) on June 1, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, B’nai B’rith International President Moishe Smith called on member states to adopt the Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance and to include in the convention a specific reference to anti-Semitism. He also called for reparations for the victims of the 1994 Argentina-Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building bombing that killed 85 and injured about 300.Smith is part of a B’nai B’rith delegation, including Isaac Gilinski, the chairman of the B’nai B’rith Center for Human Rights and Public Policy and Director of Latin American Affairs Eduardo Kohn, which is taking part in high-level meetings with OAS member nations and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The annual meeting of the OAS General Assembly – whose theme this year is nonviolence – marks a critical opportunity for government officials from across the Americas to discuss issues of common concern.
Referring to the Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance, Smith noted: “[C]ountries should be ready to adopt a legally binding instrument, which constitutes an effective tool to combat all manifestations of hatred and intolerance.”
Smith also called on the assembly to include anti-Semitism references in the full text of the draft convention: “Anti-Semitism, which is one of the most insidious forms of intolerance, continues to exist in the world and our region is not an exception to this sad reality. Even though Jews in the Western Hemisphere have generally lived a life of prosperity and freedom, in recent years, we have seen the overall number of attacks against Jewish communities increase not only in Europe and the Middle East but also in Latin America.”
Regarding AMIA, Smith noted the Argentine Congress is on the verge of adopting a law to enable AMIA victims to seek reparations. He said, “This is an act of justice, whose symbolic value exceeds its pecuniary one. It reminds us that a State governed by the rule of law must have strong and effective anti-terror and anti-discrimination laws. This is the only way to guarantee a culture of peace and respect for diversity and human rights.”
During the course of this annual gathering, the B’nai B’rith delegation is also meeting with OAS officers, the Israeli delegation, and the other NGOs. Delegations from around the world take part as observers, so they can keep updated on issues important to the Americas.
B’nai B’rith has been active in Latin America for more than 80 years, with members and supporters in more than 20 nations in the Western Hemisphere. BBI officials meet regularly with government and religious leaders, and offers humanitarian relief to those in need.
To read the complete text of Smith's remarks, click here.
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