The Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education presents its report to the Human Rights Council

The 31^st of May, the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Mr. Kishore Singh, was held during the 23^rd session of the Human Rights Council (item 3).

The report of Mr. Singh focused on the justiciability of the Right to Education which aims to identify different ways to enforce this right through the establishment of judicial and quasi-judicial mechanisms at the national and international level. In fact, he stressed how the improvement of access to justice for all victims of violations of the right to education should be considered a priority by Member States. He paid special attention to the access to education for vulnerable and marginalized groups as well as the need to progressively improve quality of education and equality of opportunity in education. The importance of partnerships with civil society actors and the media was also highlighted.

Afterwards, Mr. Singh spoke about his visits in Ecuador and in Tunisia, referring to the progress made in these countries toward the full implementation of the right to education. On the other hand, he addressed several recommendations regarding disparities in education for indigenous people or between girls and boys. The need of training for teachers also remains a key issue to be addressed. Tunisia answered the Special Rapporteur that in spite of the delicate democratic transition currently experienced in the country, they are trying to ensure education and employability in compliance with human rights obligations. At the end of the debate, NGOs took the floor according to the protocol. IIMA, on behalf of 12 NGOs, delivered an oral statement focused on the importance of the justiciability of the right to education, affirming that “The judicial enforcement of human rights is fundamental. A right without a remedy is no right at all. Ensuring the right to education for all through a human rights-based approach is a prerequisite for national development and for the prevention of all human rights violations. The judicial enforcement of the right to education is essential in all countries.”

In his conclusions, Mr. Singh encouraged States to include the justiciability of the right to education

in the Agenda post 2015.