38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Agenda Item 3:General Debate

Organisation: CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you Mr President.

CSW remains concerned by cases of discrimination on the basis of religion or belief in educational settings, including the psychological and physical abuse of students, and the inclusion of biased content in school textbooks which leave students from minority religious communities isolated and reviled.

Education can either create a culture of respect, or fuel animosity and extremism. In light of this, CSW urges all States to proactively address intolerance and discrimination in educational settings.

In particular, CSW urges the government of Pakistan to fully implement the 2006 curriculum reform, revising and eliminating bias from textbooks, and implementing a uniform unbiased curricula in all provinces.

CSW also calls on the Council to take a strong stand in protecting girls in situations where is their access to education is often truncated by abduction.

In Nigeria, fifteen year old Leah Sharibu was among 110 girls who were abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Dapchi, north eastern Nigeria. Five reportedly died during the journey to Boko Haram’s hideout and 105 of the girls were eventually returned home, following government negotiations. However Leah, the only Christian, was held back for refusing to convert.

Meanwhile in Shari’a states underage girls are regularly abducted by members of the local community, and forced to convert and marry.

CSW urges the Nigerian government to strengthen its efforts to bring Leah safely home to her parents.

We further urge the Council to swiftly address the abduction, forced conversion and forcible marriage of underage girls, taking firm action against perpetrators, and ensuring the return of abducted minors in accordance with Article 15(5) of the CRC.

Thank you.