ACTUALITE
Inscrivez-vous MAINTENANT Semaine d'action mondiale 2010
CEDEAO (ECOWAS) décision de justice qui fait date sur le droit à l'éducation. Lire la suite
Les droits des enfants apres 20 ans
CONFINTEA Décembre, au Brésil. L'analphabétisme des adultes est une double violation des droits de l'homme
CONFINTEA «L'éducation dans un contexte de crises multiples» par D. Archer
Mise à jour de l'éducation dans les normes minimum d'urgence
Portail de l'ONU des approches du développement fondées sur les droits
Abolir les frais scolaires: Éthiopie, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique
Mobilisation: qui pour travailler dans votre pays
Discrimination: la Tanzanie, le Guatemala, la Slovaquie, la République Dominicaine
I will focus on the role of legislation and the State’s obligations, in order to reply to the comments made by Peter (Tue, 12/08/2009 - 14:50), Chikondi (Tue, 12/08/2009 - 14:43) and Thalia (Tue, 12/08/2009 - 11:48).
Once States ratify treaties such as the CRC and ICESCR, they have a duty to fully implement their international human rights obligations and to make the necessary changes in their legislations to respect, protect and fulfil those rights. The principle of non-discrimination is not subject to progressive realisation. Rather, States have an immediate obligation to not only revise their national laws to make sure they comply with this principle, but also to ensure the enforceability of this right by specifying its content (duty bearer, right holder, etc), establishing mechanisms of appeal, and providing remedies or reparations in the cases where that law has been violated.
A recent ECOWAS’s decision recognized education as a legal entitlement of citizens, rather than "a mere directive policy of the government" (for other legal cases on discrimination see the RTE case law database).Discrimination may affect the availability, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability of education. The debate tends to focus on accessibility, but the implementation of legislation on each of the 4As is necessary for the right to education to be fulfilled.
Enforceability may also be political and social, not just legal. When governments promise certain policies, citizens can exert pressure and demand that they fulfill their promises. So, as David said (Tue, 12/08/2009 - 11:48) it is extremely important that citizens know their rights and legislation so they can hold the governments accountable. Citizens through CSOs should demand greater protection and legislation for the full implementation of their constitutions and of those international agreements they have signed and ratified.
So, do you think the legislation in your country concerning discrimination in education reflects the constitution and the treaties they have ratified? (You might want to have a look at the RTE country database).