
Rochelle Wilner President	Frank Dimant Chief Executive Officer	Prof. Stephen Scheinberg National Chair	Ruth Klein National Director of Advocacy

1998 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST ANTISEMITISM AND HATE

1998 marked the 50^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ratified by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. Commemorations of this historic document provided the catalyst for achievements in human rights in Canada this past year. In addition to the various positive court decisions and other interventions described in previous sections of the Audit, the League was involved in many proactive initiatives furthering the struggle against antisemitism and hate in Canada.

Education, Training and Research
Several public education campaigns continued throughout 1998 to promote awareness of antisemitism, racism and hate and to stress the importance of reporting incidents. Posters, public service announcements, and newspaper advertisements encouraged Canadians to rally against antisemitism and hate, and to report all incidents. The League’s subway posters and 1-800 hot line continued to be important vehicles for raising awareness and facilitating reporting.

In 1998 the Canadian Race Relations Foundation commissioned the League to do a cross-Canada study on the impact and effectiveness of public education campaigns in raising awareness and promoting positive race relations in Canada. Information was sought from 350 organizations across the country, and the results (to be available in March 1999) will provide valuable insights to improve future public awareness in this important area.

Throughout 1998, work continued on "Taking Action Against Hate", a project, designed to provide practical strategies and training for communities to respond to and counter hate group activities. The training manual and resource materials will be available in the coming year. In the meantime, the League continues to provide training for school boards, policing services, government agencies and community groups, through our Education and Training Centre.

Countering Holocaust Denial and Hate Propaganda
The 1998 Holocaust and Hope Educators’ Study Tour to Germany, Poland and Israel, and the 1998 Holocaust and Hope Student Study Tour both contributed immeasurably to the development of Holocaust education across Canada. Teachers and students returned to every province to conduct workshops and seminars, and to continue to develop curriculum that aids in countering Holocaust denial and helps students recognize and reject hate propaganda.

The Ontario government passed an unprecedented bill proclaiming Yom Hashoah an official commemorative day in the Province of Ontario. Efforts are underway to establish a Holocaust Museum in Ottawa, and to have the federal government consider a national Holocaust Memorial Day. On November 18, 1998, the Government of Canada officially recognized the contributions of Holocaust survivors to Canada. In a very moving ceremony on Parliament Hill, 50 survivors were honoured in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Multiculturalism. The 50 were chosen to represent all Canadian survivors, and to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The program, entitled "Zachor - We Remember", was the joint initiative of several national Jewish organizations, including B’nai Brith Canada, Canadian Jewish Congress, Canadian Friends of Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust Remembrance Association, and Canadian Friends of Yad Vashem.

The Government of Canada renewed its commitment to prosecute and deport Nazi war criminals, and 12 more cases were brought forward in 1998. In November 1998, B’nai Brith hosted a significant conference on Nazi War Criminals, and in co-operation with the Kleinman Foundation co-sponsored the conference Building History: Legal Memory and Contemporary Judgements, focussing on Holocaust awareness through education, history and the arts.

Human Rights for All Canadians
Throughout 1998, the League continued to participate actively in community coalitions for more inclusive curriculum in education, for full and equal access for persons with disabilities, and for intercultural and interfaith dialogue and co-operation. In addition to the 23^rd Annual Media Human Rights Awards, the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue Program, and the Web of Hate conference in Edmonton, our culminating event of International Human Rights Year took place in Regina in December, 1998. The League for Human Rights hosted the Canadian Human Rights Conference in Regina, with an emphasis on Aboriginal issues, anti-racism awareness, and strategies to counter hate activity and systemic discrimination. The conference was planned and implemented by a diverse community coalition group, and by all accounts was an outstanding success.

It is through ongoing legal/legislative interventions (protection), educational programming and research (prevention), and direct community action and coalition building (partnerships) that the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada will continue to be at the forefront of the struggle against antisemitism and hate, and to fulfill its mandate of promoting human rights for all Canadians.