New York, N.Y., March 10, 2003 ... In advance of the opening of the 59th annual meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called on member-countries to reject one-sided condemnations of Israel and "examine human rights issues around the world in a proportional, respectful and constructive manner."

In a letter sent to the 53 countries represented on the UNCHR, Glen A. Tobias, ADL National Chairman and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said:

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has grown increasingly politicized. In session after session, the State of Israel has blatantly been singled out for condemnation while egregious human rights violations in other areas of the world are not examined.

Unfortunately, this unabashed and politically-motivated focus on Israel undermines the integrity of this august body, and risks jeopardizing important international involvement in human rights crises around the world. Moreover, the one-sided approach of the Commission is counter-productive to the effort to encourage an end to violence in the region and the resumption of bilateral negotiations for a better and more secure future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

We respectfully urge your country to refrain from supporting the plethora of one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions in the upcoming 59th Session, and do all you can to ensure that the upcoming session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights examines human rights issues around the world in a proportional, respectful and constructive manner.