A/HRC/19/60/Add.1 43. The Special Rapporteur does not see himself in a position to make a comprehensive analysis of the complex conflict around the Pedagogical Regulating Framework, nor to give concrete advice on how to act. However, he received the clear impression that communication between the opposing camps had partly broken down, leading to bitterness, mistrust and lack of mutual understanding. In this context, he regards any act of intimidation and harassment as unacceptable, and would like to recall that the Human Rights Council has, on many occasions, advocated for a holistic understanding of human rights, all of which should be seen as mutually reinforcing one another. This also includes the relationship between freedom of religion or belief and rights to be free from discrimination on grounds like gender or sexual orientation. According to the formulation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, agreed upon at the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, “all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated”.7 In addition, with regard to the rights to life, health and education, the Special Rapporteur refers to the relevant recommendations made by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 8 the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women9 and the Special Rapporteur on the right to education.10 44. From the above perspective, it would seem that synergies between different human rights should always be sought, even in situations of seemingly or factually conflicting rights claims. Obviously, this is not an easy task and there can be no guarantee of a positive outcome. At any rate, it would be wrong to assume that there is an inherent contradiction between freedom of religion or belief on the one hand and gender-related rights on the other. Instead, the human right to freedom of religion or belief itself can serve as a form of empowerment, for instance for women, to participate actively in the (re-)interpretation of religious sources and tradition with a view to overcome traditional justifications of patriarchal structures. On this occasion, the Special Rapporteur would like to quote the previous mandate holder, that “it can no longer be a taboo to demand that women’s rights take priority over intolerant beliefs that justify gender discrimination”.11 E. Situation of indigenous peoples in Paraguay 45. Indigenous peoples in Paraguay have a long history of suffering from discrimination, neglect, harassment and economic exploitation. An indigenous leader of the Chaco summarized the challenges they faced in an interview with the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2009: 7 8 9 10 11 A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III, part I, para. 5. “The Committee strongly encourages the State party to take the necessary legislative steps to address the problem of female mortality caused by clandestine abortions, and recommends that school curricula openly address the subjects of sex education and family planning in order to help prevent early pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. It also recommends that it adopt a law on sexual and reproductive health that is compatible with the provisions of the Covenant. The State party should also continue its efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality.” (E/C.12/PRY/CO/3, para. 32). “The Committee urges the Government to strengthen the implementation of programmes and policies aimed at providing effective access for women to health-care information and services, in particular regarding reproductive health and affordable contraceptive methods, with the aim of preventing clandestine abortions.” (CEDAW/C/PAR/CC/3-5, para. 33). “In light of these conclusions, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government of Paraguay should: […] (g) Include a cross-cutting gender plan in education policy in order to encourage the introduction of sex education into the curriculum.” (A/HRC/14/25/Add.2, para. 82). A/65/207, para. 69. 13