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Protection of minority rights in conflict prevention 2010, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Economic exclusion and denial of access to quality education bring about a sense of despair and destroy hopes of upward mobility. As such they are often a central grievance and a source of tensions. International standards on non discrimination, including the Declaration, place an obligation on States to institute affirmative action policies to correct historical patterns of exclusion and enable members of minorities to achieve equality. Many States have recognized the corrosive nature of inequalities and have implemented such measures. Affirmative action programmes can, however, be a point of contention for majority communities, in particular when poorer members of majority communities perceive that they are losing out. It is important that Governments exercise leadership in educating the larger public, demonstrating that such programmes are based on the principles of justice and equal opportunity and result in fairer and more stable society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- In its resolution 6/15 of 28 September 2007, the Human Rights Council established a Forum on Minority Issues ("the Forum"), inter alia to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the independent expert on minority issues. The independent expert is required to guide the work of the Forum and prepare its annual meetings. The inaugural session took place on 15 and 16 December 2008 in Geneva with a thematic focus on "Minorities and the Right to Education".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- In September 2009, the independent expert participated in a conference held in Cali, Colombia, as a regional follow-up activity to the first session of the Forum, which had focused on minorities and the right to education. The conference was organized by the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Justice and Human Rights, in collaboration with the Cornell Law School's International Human Rights Clinic and the International Human Rights Law Clinic of the University of Virginia. In an effort to continue dialogue, remain accountable to local communities and promote grass-roots advocacy, the conference publicly launched the report entitled "Right to Education of Afro-descendant and Indigenous Communities in the Americas" that it had previously presented at the Forum. The report addresses failures to fulfil obligations with respect to the right to education without discrimination within the Americas, focusing on Colombia, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert contributed an article to The State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009: Education Special, produced by Minority Rights Group International in association with UNICEF. The publication presented the recommendations of the Forum and provided case studies, thematic essays on the problems faced by minorities with respect to education and an analysis of those issues region-wide. In the report, it is highlighted that, globally, 101 million children are out of school: between 50 and 70 per cent are from minorities or indigenous peoples. The publication is widely circulated to all regions and stakeholders including Governments and decision makers, NGOs and a targeted audience in the field of minority rights and education. It has also been provided to all UNICEF regional and country offices.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert led an electronic global discussion organized by UNICEF to highlight the issues in the special education edition of the State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009 and the Forum on Minority Issues, with a view to highlighting the issues around minority girls' right to education. Specifically, the e-discussion examined the multiple barriers faced by minority girls in accessing education, evaluated the legal and policy responses to the above question, discussed good practices from the regional and country level and developed recommendations in line with the educational needs and priorities of minority and indigenous girls.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 2010, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Human rights treaty bodies and courts have dealt with a range of cases involving the right to effective participation of minorities and the related prohibition of discrimination. As regards requiring proficiency in an official language, the Human Rights Committee has held that a Government's failure to introduce legislation to permit the use of other languages disproportionately affected certain minority communities, since it denied them the use of their mother tongue in administration, justice, education, public life and Government, thus constituting a violation of article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee concluded that the State was under an obligation to provide the community with an effective remedy, namely by allowing its officials to respond in languages other than the official one in a non-discriminatory manner. In another case, barring a member of a minority from standing in local elections on the grounds that her proficiency in the official language was not adequate, when such an assessment was conducted in a deficient and arbitrary way and when in fact the person already held a language certificate, was deemed by the Committee to be a violation of articles 2 and 25 of the Covenant. On the same issue of barring a member of a minority from standing in elections because of allegedly inadequate proficiency in the official language, the European Court of Human Rights has found that this can constitute a violation of article 3 of Protocol No. 1 to the European Convention. In the particular case, the Court held that it had grave doubts as to the legal basis for subjecting candidates holding language certificates to further tests. The Court also considered that the testing lacked objectivity and procedural fairness.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- Economic exclusion and denial of access to quality education bring about a sense of despair, destroy hopes of upward mobility and are often a central grievance and a source of tensions. International standards on non-discrimination place an obligation on States to institute affirmative action policies to correct historical patterns of exclusion and enable members of minorities to achieve equality. Many States have recognized the corrosive nature of inequalities and have implemented such measures. Affirmative action programmes can, however, be a point of contention for majority communities, in particular when poorer members of majority communities perceive that they are losing out. It is important that Governments exercise leadership in educating the larger public, demonstrating that such programmes are based on the principles of justice and equal opportunity and result in fairer and more stable society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role of minority rights protection in promoting stability and conflict prevention 2011, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- OSCE has established a specific mechanism to address conflicts involving minorities, the High Commissioner on National Minorities. The High Commissioner acts as an early warning and early action mechanism, primarily through the use of preventive diplomacy. The High Commissioner can visit countries, engage with representatives of all sides, and propose constructive solutions based on a broad knowledge of approaches worldwide. The High Commissioner has developed a number of guidelines to help national and international actors to address issues that have a potential to cause conflict, including education, language rights, political participation and the involvement of "kin States" (States whose majority community is ethnically related to a minority in a neighbouring State).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- Minority rights institutions frequently have proactive mandates that include: reviewing and proposing domestic standards and providing expertise and information to legislation drafting and policymaking processes; monitoring laws and policies with respect to minority rights and recommending amendments or implementation measures; encouraging and coordinating programming on minority issues and strategies devised to address problems relating to minorities; promotion and education activities; developing good practice guides, information resources and reports; developing campaigns and outreach relating to minority rights; and forming a bridge between minority communities and public administration. Importantly, they should not act in isolation on minority issues but, should rather, actively promote mainstreaming of minority issues and cooperation across all relevant bodies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- Specialist bodies have a valuable educative role in developing and delivering teaching and training initiatives, which would include educating the general public through such activities as public debates, engagement with the media on minority issues and conducting campaigns and other awareness-raising initiatives. They may promote minority rights within the framework of human rights education initiatives through the development of curricula and provision of school teaching materials appropriate to diverse classrooms, reflecting ethnic and religious diversity, minority cultures and languages, and the histories and contributions of minorities. Dedicated bodies can provide training to staff of public bodies, including the police and judiciary, so as to enhance institutional awareness of minority rights and equality standards and promote the use of tools, resources and good practices relevant to minority rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- Institutionalized expertise helps Governments to respond appropriately to challenges facing specific minority groups. In many countries, for example, linguistic minorities claim their rights, as established in the Declaration, to adequate opportunities for learning and receiving instruction in their mother tongue. Such rights require specialist knowledge of minority communities and their needs and pedagogic methodologies relevant to language education, including bilingual education models and their application. Institutional attention to the rights and needs of linguistic minorities must be a focus of both national policymaking bodies such as the ministry of education, and in municipal authorities responsible for implementing policy and programmes in practice. Specific minority needs may lead States to consider other policy and institutional options, including establishing and supporting minority schools.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- In 2011, the Forum on Minority Issues highlighted the need for dedicated attention to guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls, who face unique challenges and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in such areas as access to education and may be vulnerable to violations, including sexual violence or trafficking. Specialist units, focal points or consultative bodies within ministries or governmental institutions on women's issues can be a means of ensuring that their issues are adequately and appropriately addressed within institutional mandates. This may require specialist or minority staff sensitive to minority issues, and gender and cultural or religious sensitivities relating to women and girls. Along the same lines, the Forum has recommended that national human rights institutions consider specific mechanisms in their secretariats for addressing issues relevant to minority women and girls.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- Minorities are often underrepresented in the civil service, police and judiciary owing to barriers including institutional racism, discriminatory recruitment practices, poor educational attainment, and psychosocial factors inhibiting them from seeking employment. Measures including targeted recruitment initiatives should be adopted and promoted in the public and private sectors. Minorities should be represented in oversight and regulatory bodies, for example, those relating to the police service. They can have important advisory roles relating to recruitment and policing practices and should be represented in complaints-handling bodies. Representation of minorities in national media and media regulatory and monitoring bodies helps to ensure appropriate treatment of minority issues by and in the media, which can portray minorities in discriminatory, negative or stereotypic ways.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Disadvantaged minorities are often poorly placed with respect to accessing information and services. Poverty, socioeconomic disadvantages, remote localities, and education or language barriers are obstacles to obtaining services and engaging institutions. Some may have negative experiences of interactions with institutions which may not have met their expectations or addressed their concerns. Institutions should establish channels and processes of communication and consultation with minorities and build trust with minority communities. Efforts to raise awareness of the institution and services should target minorities and include advertising in and through minority media and in minority localities. Publications, information and services should be available in minority languages, including through dedicated websites.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- While institutional attention to minority issues has financial implications, it can still be cost-effective, particularly where early implementation of minority rights helps to avert tensions among communities. Dedicated programmes can improve minority access to education, training and employment, with benefits to minorities and States resulting from the enhanced participation of minorities in economic life. Studies demonstrate the untapped economic potential within marginalized minorities and that integration is not only a moral and human rights obligation but an economic necessity. Where financial constraints exist, low-cost measures include recruitment of minority experts and consultative methodologies, which can significantly strengthen institutional expertise.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- The Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs of Viet Nam is a ministerial-level body responsible for planning and implementation of ethnic policies and those for mountainous regions where minorities frequently live. It manages the development, implementation and monitoring of programmes, and coordinates liaison between ministries and with international agencies and donors. Its priorities include socioeconomic development programmes designed to address the causes of poverty, improving education and training local officials. It is part of an institutional structure including the Ethnic Council of the National Assembly, which advises the National Assembly on ethnic minority matters and reviews draft laws.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- The Government of Latvia noted the existence of three national-level consultative bodies: the Consultative Council on Minorities, under the President; the National Minority Non-Governmental Organization Committee, under the Ministry of Culture; and the National Minority Education Consultative Council, under the Ministry of Education and Science. At the local government level, society integration commissions have broad minority participation. The Government of Georgia provided information on its institutions, including a Civil Integration and Tolerance Council, a Council on National Minorities set up to facilitate dialogue between Government and national minorities, and a Council of Religions, promoting dialogue, integration and participation of religious associations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- The Paris principles require bodies to address racial discrimination proactively, including by increasing public awareness through provision of information and education and by making use of all press organs. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have highlighted the fact that in some States the rights of groups including minorities may be controversial and contested and that national human rights institutions "are frequently the only ones that can and do speak out in defence of those who have no voice, or whose influence is minimal". They frequently provide vital critical assessments of Government policy and practice, including through reports to United Nations treaty bodies that provide non governmental perspectives and substantive recommendations. With specialist minority expertise, they are well placed to advise Governments and critique their minority-related policy and practice.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert will build on the earlier reports and findings of her predecessor in which she identified significant challenges faced by minority groups in all regions who speak minority languages as their mother tongue. Minority languages are frequently not allowed to be used in national or local administration or as the language of instruction in schools, for example. Consequently those belonging to minorities may face barriers to their full participation in public life. Many young people belonging to minorities in all regions are often required to speak two or more languages, which on the one hand is vital for their full participation in society, but on the other hand can create difficulties and disadvantages, for example in their education, as they are required to study in a language that is not their mother tongue.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Youth
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert will therefore pay special attention to the rights of and challenges faced by linguistic minorities. She will examine the problems as well as seeking to identify positive practices from all regions. For example, the use of models of bilingual education, commencing in the early years of schooling and including textbooks in minority languages, has been demonstrated to help children to become proficient in their mother tongue as well as national languages, maintain their ethnic and linguistic identity, and to help minority pupils to achieve positive education outcomes and fulfil their potential to participate effectively in wider society.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- The independent expert encourages all United Nations Member States to consider undertaking activities in their countries and regions to mark the 20th anniversary and to promote awareness of the United Nations Declaration amongst minority communities and within wider society generally. Such activities could include the establishment of a national day for minorities during which the cultures and traditions of minority groups are celebrated and the contributions of minorities to society through history and in the present day are highlighted. Initiatives in the field of education and information for young people from all communities could also be envisaged.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Youth
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Priorities for the work of the Independent Expert and the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities 2012, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- At its first session, the Forum focused on minorities and the right to education. Access to education for minority girls may present particular challenges, especially in highly patriarchal family and community structures where gendered societal roles persist. Lack of education represents an absolute barrier to their progress and empowerment in every region of the world. In some cases, where barriers to access are compounded for girls, sometimes owing to the prioritization given to the education of boys, this results in a vicious circle leading to severe educational exclusion and diminished opportunities for girls to take part fully in economic, social, cultural and political life. As a consequence, some minority girls and women excluded from education suffer from high illiteracy levels.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- Positive obligations of States are further emphasized in the requirement for States to take measures to create favourable conditions to enable persons belonging to minorities to express their characteristics and to develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs (art. 4, para. 2). States are also called upon to take measures in the field of education, in order to encourage knowledge of the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory (art. 4, para. 4). Article 5 requires national policies and programmes to be planned and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities, as well as programmes of cooperation and assistance among States.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- Recent United Nations attention to religious minorities reflects the seriousness of their situation worldwide. On 22 March 2012, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 19/8 on freedom of religion or belief, which emphasizes the responsibility of all States to promote and protect the rights of religious minorities. It highlights the fact that frequently they are adversely affected by negative stereotypes and face violence and the impact of religious extremism. It condemns violence and acts of terrorism and calls on States to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator. It urges States to promote, through the educational system and other means, mutual understanding, tolerance, non-discrimination and respect in all matters relating to freedom of religion or belief by encouraging a wider knowledge of the history, traditions, languages and cultures of religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- The enjoyment of equal citizenship requires that religious minorities should enjoy all their rights in equality with other citizens, for example, to hold all posts within the jurisdiction of a State. This should include, for example, access to higher education and professional training as well as the highest posts within the State, the political leadership, educational institutions, the armed forces and in the media, and so on. Such equality may be in addition to the State having made the case for legitimate different treatment through quotas of seats or their representation at particular levels of Government. Quotas are not a concession or "privilege" that can absolve the State from issuing unequal citizenship to religious minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Religious minorities - like all minorities - should be able to educate their children about their beliefs, practices, history and culture. Positive practices result in educational environments that are welcoming and appropriate to those from diverse religious communities. However, the educational rights of religious minorities are routinely violated around the world. Minority children may be ridiculed and humiliated by school authorities. School texts may exclude reference to religious minorities or misrepresent historical facts about them. In extreme cases, such texts cruelly stereotype them, falsify their religious texts, or accuse them of being politically suspect. Religious minorities may be denied meaningful access to tertiary education owing to their religious affiliation, thus denying them access to some professions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- International norms insist upon non-discrimination on the basis of religion in relation to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including in relation to the right to education. The four standards considered to be interrelated and essential features for implementation of the right to education (availability, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability) are also relevant in terms of the availability of and access to education for religious minorities. Regarding the latter, the Human Rights Committee explained that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights permits public school instruction in subjects such as the general history of religions and ethics if it is given in a neutral and objective way, whereas public education that includes instruction in a particular religion or belief is inconsistent with article 18.4 unless provision is made for non-discriminatory exemptions or alternatives that would accommodate the wishes of parents and guardians (see CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.5, para. 6).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Families
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 91c
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community:] States must ensure that the national educational environment is welcoming and non-discriminatory for those belonging to religious minorities and that reasonable accommodation is provided for them to learn about their own religion, manifest their religion, participate in their religious holidays, and learn about the religions and beliefs of others. In conformity with the Declaration, States should, where appropriate, take measures to encourage the acquisition of knowledge about the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) identifies more than 6,000 languages spoken globally, most of which can be considered minority languages. For minorities, language is a central element and expression of their identity and of key importance in the preservation of group identity. Language is often particularly important to non-dominant communities seeking to maintain their distinct group and cultural identity, sometimes under conditions of marginalization, exclusion and discrimination. Today significant challenges are faced by minorities in all regions who speak minority languages and wish to maintain and use them in public and private life. Linguistic minorities are frequently also national, ethnic or religious minorities and consequently the challenges they face may be exacerbated by discrimination on the grounds of their ethnicity, religion or nationality.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Rights of linguistic minorities 2013, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- A common problem faced by minorities is that minority languages are frequently not used in national or local administration or as the language of instruction in schools. Consequently those belonging to minorities may face barriers to their full participation in public life and children from minorities may be disadvantaged in education from an early age. While accurate and detailed disaggregated data are scarce in most countries, evidence suggests that those belonging to linguistic minorities are at greater risk of experiencing poor socioeconomic indicators relative to majority populations, poorer educational access and worse education outcomes, and consequently lower incomes and disproportionate levels of poverty.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph