The leading candidates for the presidency of the Republic for the next term (Dr. Álvaro Delgado, of the National Party; retired General Guido Manini Ríos, of Cabildo Abierto; Dr. Pablo Mieres, of the Independent Party; Dr. Andrés Ojeda, for the Colorado Party; and Prof. Yamandú Orsi, for the Frente Amplio), the Vice President of the Republic, Beatriz Argimón, the former President of the Republic, Dr. Julio María Sanguinetti, as well as religious leaders from various denominations signed the National Declaration Against Anti-Semitism and Discrimination.
This declaration also has support of the President of the Republic, Dr. Luis Lacalle Pou; former President of the Republic, José Mujica; and former President of the Republic, Dr. Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera.
By signing the declaration, these national leaders express that: "Along with our signature goes our commitment to fight tirelessly for understanding among peoples and citizens within a framework that must necessarily be one of dialogue, respect, and faithful observance of the spirit that animates the validity of our Constitution, under whose protection and culture we all stand."
Likewise, the declaration clearly states that “we cannot allow anyone in Uruguay to be despised or defamed for who they are. We must put a stop to anti-Semitism."
This document is a "form of commitment and encouragement to every effort to highlight the validity of the substantive principles of the spirit and democratic action of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay throughout its history," emphasized the members of the forum.
FICAYD President Alejandro Weisz described this forum as the “beacon of the West” and highlighted the importance of the fight against discrimination and anti-Semitism in Uruguay.
In his address, Argentine writer Marcelo Birmajer, a special guest for the occasion, reminded those present of the current confrontation between Western liberal democracies and a religious fundamentalism comparable to Nazi and Stalinist totalitarianism.
Birmajer referred to the monument on Montevideo’s Rambla honoring former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whom he described as a fighter for freedom—one of the core values that defines the Uruguayan people, according to the author.
He also highlighted the presence of the leading candidates for the presidency of the Republic, which he interpreted as a sign of the solid foundations of Uruguayan democracy.
The most moving moment of the event was the screening of a video in which more than a dozen Uruguayan women from cultural, political, social, and sports circles spoke out for their rights and demanded never again to be used as “war trophies.”
Lecture by writer Marcelo Birmajer
https://youtu.be/YC0KZoJOgf0
Full video of the event
https://youtu.be/bHqpGoO8EHM