c) Guidelines for the CERD-Specific document to be submitted by States parties under article 9, paragraph 1, of the Convention (2007)

(Adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at the Seventy-first Session, CERD/C/2007/1, 30 July- 17 August 2007)

[...]

C. Information relating to articles 1 to 7 of the Convention

[...]

Article 7

Information should supplement that already provided in the common core document in accordance with paragraph 56 of the harmonized guidelines. Reports should provide information on each of the main subjects mentioned in article 7 under the following separate headings: (a) education and teaching; (b) culture; and (c) information. Within these broad parameters, the information provided should reflect the measures taken by States parties (i) to combat prejudices which lead to racial discrimination; and (ii) to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations and all groups.

A. Education and teaching. In particular, information should be provided on:

1. Legislative and administrative measures taken in the field of education and teaching to combat prejudices which lead to racial discrimination, including general information on the educational system;

2. Steps taken to include, in school curricula and in the training curricula of teachers and other professionals, programmes and subjects to help promote human rights issues which would lead to better understanding, tolerance and friendship among all groups. Information should also be provided on whether the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention are included in education and teaching;

3. Steps taken to review all language in textbooks which conveys stereotyped or demeaning images, references, names or opinions concerning groups protected under the Convention, and replace it by images, references, names and opinions which convey the message of the inherent dignity of all human beings and their equality in the enjoyment of human rights; [33]

4. Steps taken to include in textbooks, at all appropriate levels, chapters about the history and culture of groups protected under the Convention and living on the State’s territory, and to encourage and support the publication and distribution of books and other print materials as well as the broadcasting of television and radio programmes, as appropriate, about their history and culture, including in languages spoken by them; [34]

5. Measures taken for intensive training of law enforcement officials to ensure that in the performance of their duties they respect as well as protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour or national or ethnic origin. [35]

B. Culture. In particular, information should be provided on:

1. The role of institutions or associations working to develop national culture and traditions, to combat racial prejudices and to promote intra-national and intra-cultural understanding, tolerance and friendship among all groups;

2. Support provided by the States parties to such institutions and associations, and more generally, action taken to ensure the respect and promotion of cultural diversity, for example in the area of artistic creation (cinema, literature, painting, etc.);

3. The linguistic policies adopted and implemented by the State party.

C. Information. In particular, information should be provided on:

[...]

5. Action to develop educational and media campaigns to educate the public about the life, society and culture of groups protected under the Convention and the importance of building an inclusive society while respecting the human rights and cultural identity of all groups. [38]

[33] See for example general recommendation No. 29 (2002) on article 1, paragraph 1, (Descent), para. 48.
[34] See general recommendation No. 27 (2000) on discrimination against Roma, para. 26.
[35] See general recommendation No. 13 (1993) on the training of law enforcement officials in the protection of human rights.
[38] See for example general recommendation No. 27 (2000) on discrimination against Roma, para. 38.