Neo-Nazi marches discussed at IHRA meeting
At this week’s International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance meeting in Croatia, Australia’s experts shared details about the recent neo-Nazi marches in Melbourne with IHRA’s Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial as part of a broader discussion on neo-Nazi marches around the world.
Amanda Annamalay, Associate Professor Steve Cooke, Sue Hampel, Ambassador Richard Rodgers, Dr Andre Oboler, and Professor Emerita Suzanne Rutland
On Thursday, in the plenary session Australia’s Head of Delegation to IHRA and Ambassador to Croatia, Ambassador Richard Rodgers, shared news of the introduction this week of legislation to ban Nazi symbols with IHRA’s 35 member and ten observer countries.
IHRA’s Secretary General, Dr Kathrin Meyer, told J-Wire, “At a time when we see neo-Nazis marching in the streets, not only in Australia but all over the world, the IHRA welcomes this concrete and important step to prevent the glorification of Nazi ideology and Holocaust distortion. We need to remember what these symbols stand for, but more, we must do all we can to counter their normalisation. Extremist ideologies may take aim at local Jewish communities and other minorities, but undermine democracy and harm all of society.”
The IHRA Plennary took place in the city of Dubrovnik, home to the second oldest synagogue in Europe, which is also the oldest functioning Sefardic synagogue in the world. Delegates to IHRA toured the synagogue and the old city following a welcome reception.
The plenary also marked the retirement of IHRA’s Honorary Chair, Prof. Yehuda Bauer. Retiring at age 97, Prof. Bauer’s contributions have significantly shaped the entire field of Holocaust and genocide studies. Tributes to him on his retirement came from delegates, heads of state, and royalty. Prof. Bauer and members of his family joined the session paying tribute to his work through Zoom.
Members of the Australian delegation present at the plenary were experts Andre Oboler, Sue Hampel, Steve Cooke, and Suzanne Rutland. On the diplomatic side, Ambassador Rodgers was supported by Amanda Annamalay.
New Zealand attended the plenary as observed with Shoshana Maasland becoming the first expert from New Zealand to attend an IHRA plennary. Diplomats from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also observed the meeting.
