A/HRC/23/56
(f)
States should encourage an accurate reflection of history in education so
as to avoid stereotypes and distortion or falsification of historical facts, which could
lead to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. States
should also ensure that textbooks and other educational materials reflect accurately
historical facts as they relate to past tragedies and atrocities, as this reflects the
complex linkages between education, identity-building and outbreak of conflicts;
(g)
States should be encouraged to provide human rights education or
training with a strong anti-discrimination component for students in schools and
universities, teachers, journalists, State officials, civil servants, judges, law
enforcement officials, military personnel, humanitarian workers and staff involved in
peacekeeping and peace-building operations. A focus on the effective prevention of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance during such
training, in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action, is particularly important;
(h)
Teachers at all levels of education should benefit from specialized
training, including awareness-raising, in how to prevent racism, xenophobia and other
forms of discrimination. Special emphasis should be placed on the situation of
minority or vulnerable groups within their country, such as Roma or other minorities,
persons of African descent, Roma, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and the
victims of caste-based discrimination. International norms prohibiting racism and
racial discrimination and their implementation under domestic law should be
emphasized in the curriculum;
(i)
States should also continue their efforts to combat racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination outside the educational
system. In this regard, efforts undertaken in the educational field, in particular
through human rights education, will have an enhanced impact if measures are
accompanied by targeted and ongoing media and awareness-raising campaigns to
sensitize the public to the realities and challenges faced by persons victims of racism,
intolerance and discrimination;
(j)
States should ensure safe school environments, free from violence and
harassment motivated by racism; and provide appropriate assistance to victims and
public education to prevent incidents of violence motivated by racism;
(k)
States should pursue human rights education and guarantee access to
education without discrimination during conflicts; ensure that an education
programme is an integral part of the policies of consolidating peace; and integrate
assessments of post-conflicts situations and peace consolidation into national
education strategies;
(l)
States should carefully evaluate the potential impact of budgetary
restrictions on education, and ensure that they do not have a discriminatory and
disproportionate impact on the enjoyment of the right to education of disadvantaged
groups, including minorities, Roma, people of African descent, migrants,
undocumented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and the victims of caste-based
discrimination;
(m) Finally, States should duly cooperate inter alia with civil society actors,
non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions and the
international community in providing quality and accessible education to all individuals
without discrimination based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin.
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