E/CN.4/1995/91/Add.1
page 80
special attention should be paid the world over to what school
curricula impart about religious freedom or tolerance particularly.
The Special Rapporteur is deeply convinced that lasting progress
with regard to tolerance and non-discrimination in the matter of
religion or belief could be achieved first and foremost through the
school.’
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia is equally supportive
of the proposed survey on the possible formulation of school curricula
and international school strategy aimed at combating religious
intolerance. In this connection, the positive experiences of all
States in dealing with the issue may also be utilized as important
contributions.
The experience of Indonesia in promoting harmony and religious
tolerance as social values is worth sharing. Measures to sensitize and
promote such values are first and foremost focused on children and the
younger generation, widely recognized as future defenders and guardians
of those values. Aside from formal educational institutions, others such
as parents, informal leaders, self-help social organizations and
traditional religious boarding schools play an important role in
undertaking such measures.
In conclusion, while the spirit of religious tolerance and its
furtherance and the full enjoyment of freedom of religion and belief are
enshrined in the State philosophy and the 1945 Constitution, the
Government of the Republic of Indonesia never fails to take necessary and
effective measures geared towards achieving the promotion and protection
of the freedom of religion and belief and guaranteeing religious
tolerance."
JAMAICA
35.
On 8 August 1994, the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations
Office at Geneva sent the Special Rapporteur the comments of the Department of
the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the text of which reads:
"Jamaica’s major legislation in the area of the implementation of
the 1981 Declaration lies in the Constitution (Sect. 21), which states:
(1)
Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the
enjoyment of his freedom of conscience, and for the purposes of
this Section the said freedom includes freedom of thought and of
religion, freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom,
either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in
private, to propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching,
practice and observance.
(2)
Except with his own consent (or, if he is a minor, the consent of
his parent or guardian), no person attending any place of education
shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part
in or attend any religious ceremony or observance if that
instruction, ceremony or observance relates to a religion or a
religious body or denomination other than his own.