A/HRC/30/20
military and public officials,51 to meet their obligations to protect, respect and fulfil human
rights. Inadequate human rights education has been identified as one of the greatest
obstacles to the enjoyment of all human rights by all persons (A/HRC/28/30, para. 20).
25.
Human rights education is primarily a State responsibility.52 States should
systematically infuse human rights education in the formal education system, and in the
training of State agents. For example, training of judges and lawyers should encompass
human rights norms and standards as well as related international and regional
jurisprudence.53 Specific and methodologically-sound guidance is provided by the Plans of
Action for the first (primary and secondary school systems) and second phase (higher
education and training of civil servants, law enforcement officials and the military) of the
World Programme for Human Rights Education,54 which seeks to advance national
implementation of human rights education programmes in all sectors. The Human Rights
Council has reviewed the evaluation report (A/HRC/30/24) of the second phase of the
World Programme, based on national evaluation reports submitted by States; and States
could consider including national implementation of human rights education as a regular
element in the Universal Periodic Review.55
26.
Human rights education and training include curriculum and material development,
the use of learner-centred and participatory methodologies, the adoption of enabling
policies and policy implementation measures, and the fostering of learning environments in
which human rights are respected. To enable this, related knowledge and skills of teachers
and educators should be strengthened. Inclusive schools, universities and educational
institutions which promote human rights, model respect for others, and embrace and
celebrate diversity can be key in fostering both inclusivity itself and inclusive attitudes, and
should be encouraged and protected by the State. 56
27.
In addition to being a specific responsibility of the State, human rights education is
also undertaken by other stakeholders, including NHRIs (A/HRC/28/30, para. 20) and civil
society.57 OHCHR supports national efforts for human rights education through its field
presences, coordinates the World Programme for Human Rights Education, provides expert
advice, elaborates and disseminates methodological tools based on good practice, and
maintains resources to facilitate information-sharing.58
28.
Many NHRIs promote human rights education using a variety of tools including
radio programmes, games and interactive tools, and online programmes. NHRIs also focus
on specific groups that are more likely to face discrimination or violations. This includes
programmes aimed at specific groups and those interacting with these groups, such as
social services, teachers and school staff, and police. NHRIs may identify particular needs
of specific groups through their monitoring role, individual cases and broader statistical
analysis, which demonstrates the benefits of coherence and cross-fertilization between the
different functions of these bodies.
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
10
Response by Cyprus; Response by Mexico; Response by the United Arab Emirates.
See “The Right to Human Rights Education”, a web resource which compiles relevant commitments
made by States in international and regional intergovernmental forums, available from:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Education/Training/Compilation/Pages/Listofcontents.aspx.
Bertrand G. Ramcharan, Preventive Human Rights Strategies (London, New York, Routledge, 2010)
p. 52.
General Assembly resolution 59/113, World Programme for Human Rights Education.
Response by the Finnish Human Rights Centre.
Response by Scholars at Risk. See Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack: Principles of
State Responsibility to Protect Higher Education from Attack.
Response by Agence de Diffusion de Droit International Humanitaire en Afrique Centrale.
See http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Education/Training/Pages/HREducationTrainingIndex.aspx.
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