E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2
page 22
the richness and variety of Iranian dress
In particular, in the field of education,
the Special Rapporteur recommends freedom
this should obviously not be exercised in
can be manifested without coercion.
and especially in minority schools,
of dress on the understanding that
a manner contrary to its purposes.
98.
With regard to managerial posts in the educational establishments of
minorities, the Special Rapporteur stresses that account should be taken of
the special nature of minority schools, which should be reflected in their
management.
99.
Minorities should collaborate closely in the formulation of educational
programmes through written contributions.
100. In the professional field, in addition to the above-mentioned
recommendations concerning the administration, the Special Rapporteur, in
accordance with internationally recognized standards, draws attention to
article 4 of the 1981 Declaration: "All States shall take effective measures
to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief
in the recognition, exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in all fields of civil, economic, political, social and cultural
life." Consequently, he recommends the elimination of the obligation for the
owners of grocery shops to indicate their religious affiliation on the front
of their shops.
101. In the judicial sector, the Special Rapporteur continues to be concerned
about the information received concerning discriminatory treatment on the part
of judges who sometimes hand down iniquitous decisions against members of
minorities. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur believes that it would be
appropriate to apply the programme of advisory services of the Centre for
Human Rights (see the preceding report, E/CN.4/1995/91, para. 226). Proper
training of judicial and, in general, administrative personnel in human
rights, particularly with regard to tolerance and non-discrimination based on
religion or belief, would be highly appropriate.
102. The situation of the Sunni Muslim minority does not seem to give rise to
problems of a religious nature, except in respect of places of worship. In
that connection, the Special Rapporteur recommends that freedom of access to
places of worship should be respected and that the Sunnis of Tehran should
have a mosque of their own, in accordance with their wishes. On the question
of the destruction of places of worship, the community administering them
should be consulted before any decision is taken, so that compensatory
measures may be automatically planned and implemented.
103. Except for some serious problems in specific fields with regard to which
the Special Rapporteur has made recommendations, the situation of the
recognized Muslim and non-Muslim minorities appears to be fairly satisfactory.
104. While recalling the fact that these minorities do not want to be
exploited politically in a manner contrary to the interests of Iran, the
Special Rapporteur, in his capacity as an independent expert, supports
their desire for a dialogue with the authorities and, in his capacity as a
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, will, in accordance with