A/68/329 hatred against a public authority, a citizen or a group of citizens will not be approved. 36. Article 151 of the electoral code requires political parties wishing to present candidates to legislative elections to reflect on their list of candidates the social diversity of the circumscriptions for which they are running. 37. No disaggregated data on grounds such as ethnicity or race are indicated on civil acts, national identity cards or other official documents. Neither ethnicity nor race are variables taken into account during the census. F. Cyprus 38. One of the most significant tools for effectively combating all forms of racism is education. The educational system is available to all, irrespective of social or ethnic background or citizenship. The Ministry of Education offers accelerated courses in Greek during and after school hours for non-native speakers. 39. The Government provided several examples of educational reforms aimed at eradicating all forms of discrimination. One such programme is the “zones of educational priority” administered by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Such status is given to areas experiencing unusually high illiteracy rates, dropouts and violence in schools. The Ministry provides additional resources to the vulnerable groups within those schools. 40. The Observatory for Violence in Schools records and examines incidents of violence and focuses on racially motivated and xenophobic incidents. In 2009 and 2010, a programme financed by the European Commission was implemented, with the goal of eliminating discrimination and promoting the principle of equal treatment. Several programmes, such as the various lifelong learning programmes, the Council of Europe programmes and programmes developed by the Youth Board of Cyprus, specifically target young people in order to instil notions of cultural acceptance. 41. School curricula are focused on increasing respect for and understanding of other cultures. History classes specifically address the Second World War, the brutalities of Nazism in Greece and the Holocaust. Compassito, a manual on human rights education for children, is widely used in Cypriot schools as a tool to fight racism. In addition, physical education programmes and a project entitled “Sports for all” foster social inclusion and reduce incidents of delinquent behaviour. 42. Cyprus recognizes 27 January as the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust and the date has been incorporated into the regulations for the operation of secondary schools since 2009. G. Ecuador 43. Article 11.2 of the Constitution guarantees equality for all and provides that all discrimination will be punishable by law. 44. Chapter VII of the criminal code recognizes, defines and establishes penalties for offences relating to racial discrimination. 13-43012 9/25

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