Arab Charter on Human Rights (Articles 40, 41)

The Preamble of the Arab Charter on Human Rights (2004) reaffirms the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and therefore, the right to education. Article 41 guarantees the right to education and obliges States Parties to eradicate illiteracy. It provides for free compulsory primary education. It defines the aims of education and refers to human rights education. It also guarantees on-going education and adult education. Article 40 is specifically on the right to education of persons with disabilities.

  • Adoption: 22 May 2004
  • Entry into force:15 March 2008
  • Ratifications: 22 (in Arabic)
  • Interpretation: no
  • Monitoring mechanism: yes to the Arab Human Rights Committee (in Arabic)
  • Complaint mechanism: no