JEWISH COMMUNITY'S PUBLIC AFFAIRS ARM CONDEMNS "DESPOTIC" TALIBAN RULE, CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES

NEW YORK, May 22, 2001— News reports that Afghanistan's Taliban leadership plan to force members of the Hindu minority to wear identity labels on their clothing are, "chilling reminders of the Nazi requirement that Jews wear yellow stars," Leonard Cole, chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs said today. "They evoke memories of the darkest days of the last century."

Following the recent destruction by the Taliban of historic Buddhist statues, this action is a summons for the United Nations and decent people everywhere to act to protect the rights of minorities living under Afghanistan's despotic regime.

"There is no formula by which the branding by dress of religious minorities can do anything but stigmatize," added Cole. As reported in the Indian national press, an Indian foreign ministry official deplored such orders because they "patently discriminate against minorities."

"There can be no excuse for silence," said Cole. "The pressure of the international community must be brought to bear on the Taliban rulers. We are ever mindful that under the Nazi's the requirement to wear the Jewish star was a prelude to the further outrage and destruction."

JCPA is the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community that serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 123 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.

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