New York, NY, June 9, 2005 … Concerned that governments have yet to implement and institutionalize those mechanisms essential to countering anti-Semitism, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to make good on their promises to take action to stem attacks on Jews and Jewish communities.

As a Public Adviser to the official U.S. delegation to the OSCE Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance in Cordoba, Spain, ADL made recommendations on how the 55 participating countries should confront anti-Semitism through action and advocacy.

"We hope states leave here with resolve to implement and institutionalize the mechanisms they agree are essential to counter anti-Semitism and hate crime," said Stacy Burdett, ADL Associate Director of Government Affairs and a Public Adviser to the U.S. delegation.  The conference noted that only 29 of the 55 OSCE states provided adequate statistical data on hate crime and just a handful have appropriate mechanisms in place to address anti-Semitism.

"We welcome the focus and support demonstrated at this meeting," added Ms. Burdett.  "But in the end, no meeting or statement can be a substitute for national governments, one by one, taking action that can improve the safety and security of Jews and other minorities seeking to live in security and dignity."

ADL welcomed the release of two new reports by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, an OSCE body tasked with assisting with states with implementation of human rights commitments. One report looks at combating hate crimes in the OSCE region, while the other surveys education on the Holocaust and anti-Semitism.

"Anti-Semitism remains an ominous presence in the OSCE nations in the form of violence against Jews, the demonization of the State of Israel and the tendency to downplay the unique nature of persecution against Jews," said Ben Cohen, ADL Director of European Affairs, who also participated in the OSCE meeting.  "These reports are a step toward recognizing this is a major problem."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.