E/CN.4/1998/6
page 9
34.
The Special Rapporteur therefore decided, as a second step, to conduct a
survey, by means of a questionnaire addressed to States, on problems relating
to freedom of religion and belief from the standpoint of the curricula and
textbooks of primary or elementary and secondary educational institutions.
The Commission on Human Rights, taking note with interest in
resolution 1995/23 of the Special Rapporteur's questionnaire on religious
education as a contribution to increased understanding of this matter, asked
Governments to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur. The results of such a
survey could help to shape an international educational strategy centred on
the definition and implementation of a common minimum curriculum of tolerance
and non-discrimination, for combating all forms of intolerance and
discrimination based on religion or belief.
35.
The Special Rapporteur has received replies from the following
77 States: 1/ Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Colombia,
Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt,
France, Germany, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia,
Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nauru,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay,
Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saint Lucia, San Marino,
Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of
America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia and Zambia.
36.
The results of the analysis of these replies, which has been delayed
because of the lack of resources made available for the mandate, will be the
subject of a separate document.
37.
The ongoing analysis of the replies to the Special Rapporteur's
questionnaire does not for the moment allow conclusions or recommendations to
be drawn but it does provide a basis for provisional comments.
38.
First, it seems that the majority of States attach prime importance to
education as the principal means of preventing discrimination and intolerance
based on religion or belief, the essential element being the school system.
39.
Most states indicated clearly that school curricula and textbooks should
be centred on the following common values and principles: tolerance and
non-discrimination in general, particularly where religion and belief are
concerned, and human rights.
40.
Similarly, in the context of measures intended to promote tolerance,
many States stressed the importance of education conveying a culture of
Correction to the errors of the previous reports which included
1/
two additional States which had not replied and a typing mistake in which
Ireland appeared instead of Iceland.