A press release from the offices of Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP and David Burrowes MP highlights the response of the Prime Minister to the concerns they raised. The issue was brought to their attention at the London Regional event hosted by the APPG. Their press release is below.
In international news, the Italian Inquiry Committee into antisemitism chaired by vice-president of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Fiamma Nirenstein is to release its report on Monday 17 October after 2 years of work. The committee was instituted by the President of the Chamber of Deputies in 2009 and consists of a 26 cross-party MPs from the Institutional and Foreign Affairs committees.
VILLIERS AND BURROWES WELCOME PRIME MINISTER’S LETTER CONDEMNING ANTI-SEMITIC CARTOON BY UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL EXPERT
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, and David Burrowes, MP for Enfield Southgate, have welcomed a response from the Prime Minister following a joint letter calling for the resignation of UN Human Rights Council expert, Richard Falk. Richard Falk posted an anti-Semitic cartoon on his personal blog in June which depicted a dog with “USA” written on his body and wearing a skullcap, urinating on a depiction of justice while devouring the bloody bones of a skeleton.
In his letter, David Cameron condemned the cartoon and said that the issue had been raised with the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, making it clear that Special Rapporteurs such as Richard Falk must meet the highest standards.
Theresa said, “I welcome the response and assurances from David Cameron condemning this disgraceful cartoon. It was astounding that someone with serious responsibilities at the UN should be responsible for this very unfortunate episode. Mr Falk should have resigned from the UN Human Rights Council in light of the fact that the cartoon expressed clear anti-Semitic sentiments, offensive to Jews and American citizens alike. It shows appallingly bad judgement from someone in a highly influential position.”
David Burrowes said, ““I am reassured by the Prime Minister’s response which confirms the need to condemn such appalling anti-Semitic behaviour. If Mr Falk was being responsible he would resign immediately. No apology can mitigate the stain left on the UNHRC by his offensive blog.” “We must be ever vigilant to stamp out anti-Semitism wherever it is found.”
The letter from the Prime Minister can be found here:
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