UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
47th session
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to education
25 June 2021
Intervention by Portugal
Chairperson,
Portugal aligns with the EU statement.
Portugal welcomes the Special Rapporteur and her report. Giving continuity to the longstanding priority we attach to this right, Portugal will present this session another resolution on the right to education where we intend to reflect the main conclusions of the current report as well as of last year’s one on COVID-19. We thank the Special Rapporteur and her team for the support provided.
The perspective of the cultural dimension of the right to education is very interesting. Multicultural societies constitute a huge asset. Education systems need to be prepared to take advantage of diversity; to promote mutual understanding, respect and dialogue. It is a win-win situation for all.
Portugal embraces human diversity, in all its forms. We are totally committed to continue working towards schools which are multicultural, fully inclusive, free from discrimination, prejudice and violence.
Specific programmes have been put in place to combat bullying, including homophobic and transphobic bullying and to prevent violence in dating. We also have stories of success with the use of Roma cultural mediators.
Likewise, schools play a crucial role for the integration of refugees and migrants and to the exchange of cultural backgrounds
We agree that schools need to have adequate levels of autonomy to adapt their specific activities to the cultural diversity of itsconstituency. Of course, without undermining the universality of human rights or to be used to perpetuate discriminatory practices or violence.
Thank you.
