Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to Education

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you Madame President,

CSW thanks the Special Rapporteur for her continued work and latest report.

We echo the Rapporteur’s recommendation that State actors should recognise and respect the right of learners not to be subjected to indoctrination, including the right not to be given instruction in a particular religion or belief.

In Pakistan, this is not the case. Despite some educational reforms by the government, schools still follow a biased education system.

The current curricula and official textbooks are insensitive to Pakistan’s religious diversity and promote intolerance between majority and minority faiths.

Some books include biased and derogatory language towards religious minorities, and there is often intense pressure on non-Muslim students to participate in Islamic studies.

We call on Pakistan to create and implement an education policy which respects and recognises the rights of religious minority communities.

In Mexico, religious minority children face discrimination at school despite the separation of church and state. Children are sometimes forced to participate in overtly religious activities against their will under the guise of ‘cultural education.’ 

CSW has received reports of children who have been threatened with being marked down in their studies if they did not participate.

In more extreme cases, religious minority children in Mexico have even been prohibited from attending school because of their religious beliefs or those of their parents.

We call on Mexico to ensure that children of all religions and beliefs are free to enjoy their fundamental right to an education without discrimination.

Children must have their right to education protected: this includes being able to fully participate in school without fear of harassment, intimidation or discrimination on account of their religion or belief.

Thank you