A/HRC/12/36
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immigration officials. Thematically, the priority should be on ensuring human rights for people
living in poverty; promoting economic and social rights such as the rights to work, food and
housing; and strengthening civil and political rights. The right to privacy, preventing the misuse
of personal information and eliminating inequality in access to information were also mentioned
as global priorities.
38. The National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia proposed that the second phase
should cover the third level of the educational system. This would give students the possibility to
enhance their knowledge of human rights obtained in primary and secondary schools. It would
be necessary to review and revise the curricula of educational institutions that prepare specialists
providing service to the general public, such as teachers, social workers or medics. The timing
for the integration of human rights education into the tertiary education system will depend on
the political, economic, social and cultural circumstances of each country; most States Members
of the United Nations would take appropriate measures within two to four years.
39. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission saw the need for a continuing focus on the
integration of human rights education into the primary and secondary school systems. It further
suggested that efforts should concentrate on government duty bearers who most directly address
a country’s commitments under international instruments. A plan of action could be introduced
for developing human rights as the standard for government policymaking and legislative
drafting.
40. The Commission also highlighted the need to focus on lifelong human rights education and
ongoing education and strategies for adult education and lifelong learning. A focus on the
education of mass media and social media bodies would assist in ensuring that channels through
which people consume information have a clear understanding of a human rights approach. This
in turn could help them construct ways of interacting with audiences that take human rights into
account. The rights of persons with disabilities and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities should further receive priority attention. The length of the second phase could be
three years followed by a review and possible extension for a further period depending upon
progress made.
41. The Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos de Nicaragua considered that
there should be coordinated efforts between the States, civil society and national human rights
institutions in order to develop human rights education and training for officials in charge of
enforcing the law, e.g. national police, the army, migration and foreign offices; for implementers
of the legal system such as judges or prosecutors; non-formal education for activists or
community leaders at the local level; and training for persons in detention facilities. Human
rights education should be offered at all levels of education. The role of national human rights
institutions and the media should also be included.
42. The Uganda Human Rights Commission submitted a detailed account of its achievements
during the implementation of the first phase. Additionally, the Uganda Commission proposed to
focus on integrating human rights education into the Primary Teachers Colleges and National
Teachers Colleges, with a view to empowering student teachers with the knowledge of human
rights law and principles in order to teach human rights effectively at both primary and
secondary schools. The Commission proposed integrating a human rights-based approach to
development in the policies of government ministries at all levels with a view to eliminating
injustice, inequality and poverty. The second phase could last for five years.
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