Additional Information
Statement against anti-Semitism
We endorse the statement of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) (external link, opens in a new window) "There is no place for anti-Semitism at German universities", which opposes "anti-Semitism in any form".
"There is no place for anti-Semitism at German universities. The HRK General Assembly supports the resolution "Against BDS and all anti-Semitism" by the Young Forum of the German-Israeli Society, the Jewish Student Union Germany, the Free Association of Student Unions, the AStA of the Technical University of Darmstadt and the AStA of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt as well as university groups affiliated with political parties such as the Juso University Groups, the Liberal University Groups, Campus Green and the Ring of Christian-Democratic Students.
German universities are centers of democratic culture, places of dialogue and sites of diversity. With the campaign "Weltoffene Hochschulen gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit" (Open-minded universities against xenophobia), universities have already set an example and called for clear commitments and decisive action in favor of a tolerant and open-minded society. Furthermore, universities in Germany have a special historical responsibility to resolutely oppose all forms of anti-Semitism."
Understanding of anti-Semitism
Our understanding of anti-Semitism follows the definition of anti-Semitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) (external link, opens in a new window):
"Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."
Anti-Semitic offenses are defined in §§ 130 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) as:
- defamation or agitation directed against a national, racial, religious or ethnic group,
- trivialization, approval or glorification of National Socialism.
They are considered official offenses, are prosecuted without a criminal complaint and are punishable by prison sentences of three months to five years or fines.
The penalty depends on the type and degree of the offense and the guilt of the perpetrator (Sections 130 and 46 StGB).
The following links provide an overview of the topic of anti-Semitism:
Awareness measures for anti-Semitism
Strengthening historical awareness, filling the culture of remembrance with life.
At the UR remembrance, the culture of remembrance and the politics of remembrance are not only researched academically, but also communicated socially and practiced in academic and social interaction. The University's Center for the Culture of Remembrance (external link, opens in a new window), which is based on the institutional cooperation between the UR and the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp Memorial (external link, opens in a new window), embodies this in a paradigmatic way and stands for the social responsibility that the UR assumes here.
President Prof. Udo Hebel gives a speech at the commemoration ceremony for the liberation of the Flossenbürg concentration camp on 21.4.2024
- Full text of President Hebel's speech | PDF (German version only)
- Press release on the commemoration ceremony
The workshops offered by the Anti-Discrimination Point also raise awareness of anti-Semitic discrimination.