site.btaAJC Applauds Bulgarian News Agency Adoption of Antisemitism Working Definition

Sofia, February 11 (BTA)

American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes Bulgarian News Agency's (BTA) adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The formal endorsement of the Working Definition by Bulgaria's national news agency was announced during a ceremony attended by BTA Director General, Kiril Valchev, AJC Sofia representative, Viktor Melamed, Bulgaria's National Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism, Georg Georgiev and the Chairman of the Jewish umbrella organization "Shalom", Dr. Alexander Oscar.  The initiative, which followed the continuing advocacy efforts of AJC Bulgaria, is part of the joint AJC Bulgaria - "Shalom" campaign aimed at addressing hate speech, antisemitism, and discrimination.

"The global COVID-19 pandemic, which provided fertile ground for conspiracy theories, fake news and disinformation, has contributed to the rise of antisemitism and to the attack on truth at a global level. In these circumstances media have particular responsibilities to identify and address dangerous hate speech while protecting the fundamental freedoms of expression," said AJC Sofia representative, Viktor Melamed.
The Bulgarian News Agency became the first national news agency in Europe to adopt the Working Definition of Antisemitism. Founded in 1898, BTA is the key, national media organization providing core news service to media, government institutions and NGOs in Bulgaria. The agency is a member of the European Alliance of News Agencies, the Black Sea Association of National News Agencies and is a founder member of the Association of Balkan News Agencies.

The Bulgarian Government took the decision to adopt and apply the IHRA Working Definition on Antisemitism on October 18th, 2017 as part of the state institutions' holistic approach to take necessary measures for the operationalization of the working definition on preventing and confronting antisemitism in the areas of their responsibility. Following this decision the country appointed a National Coordinator on combating antisemitism to work closely and coordinate policy and actions with relevant authorities and civil society organizations. The Coordinator is also responsible for the coordinated development and implementation of an Action Plan on Combating Antisemitism.

The working definition was adopted unanimously by the IHRA's 31 member states in 2016. It has been endorsed by 24 European countries, including Bulgaria.
The IHRA definition is based on the 2005 European Monitoring Centre (EUMC) Working Definition. It offers a clear and comprehensive description of antisemitism in its various forms, including hatred and discrimination against Jews, Holocaust denial, and, of particular note, antisemitism as it relates to Israel.
For many years, AJC worked closely with the EUMC to develop the working definition, and has advocated for its adoption at the institutional, national and popular levels.