Dominican Republic adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism

Santo Domingo.-  The Dominican Republic reaffirmed its commitment to combating antisemitism, discrimination and religious intolerance, warning that the resurgence of anti-Jewish hatred poses a threat to democratic coexistence, human rights and the dignity of Jewish communities.

The Government highlighted the country’s historical role in protecting Jewish refugees, recalling that in 1938 the Dominican Republic was the only country to offer asylum in Sosúa to a significant number of Jews fleeing persecution and war crimes committed by Nazi Germany.

The Dominican Republic also reiterated its adherence to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, which recognizes both physical and verbal manifestations of hatred directed at Jewish people, institutions and places of worship.

The government further noted that the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted the definition as its official framework and that the Dominican Republic supports a United Nations resolution rejecting and condemning Holocaust denial and distortion.

The country called on governments in the region and the international community to strengthen legal, educational and institutional measures to prevent antisemitism, hatred, intolerance and discrimination, while reaffirming its commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and protecting Jewish communities.