UNSRTE : Call for contributions: safety as an element of the right to education and a precondition for its full realization

Purpose: To inform annual thematic report to be presented at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2025.

Background

Safety directly affects access, quality and equality in learning environments. Without safety, students face significant barriers to participation, limiting their ability to learn and thrive. The lack of safety also impacts equality, as groups living in vulnerable situations are often exposed to greater threats to their safety, exacerbating educational disparities.

States have an international obligation to take positive measures to ensure that schools provide a secure learning environment, free from threats of violence and discrimination, and to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment. This is a fundamental aspect of realizing the full scope of the right to education under international human rights law. Under Art. 26 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), Art. 19 of the Convention of the Rights of the child (CRC) and Art. 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), quality education is not limited to mere access but includes the environment in which it is provided. International commitments under the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) include ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. This encompasses the provision of safe, non-violent and effective learning environments where safety is seen as integral to achieving quality education and reducing inequalities in education.

Objectives

The Special Rapporteur intends to take stock of the implementation of international standards and guidelines, national legislation and policies, as well as innovative community practices, to ensure physical, digital and psycho-emotional safety in educational settings, within the framework of ensuring the enjoyment of the right to education and human rights for all.

In addition, the Special Rapporteur will analyse the challenges and shortcomings within existing systems, identifying barriers such as inadequate laws and policies, implementation gaps, under-resourced programs and services, all of which may hinder the creation of a safe educational environment. This includes addressing a wide range of school safety issues, such as physical infrastructure (safe buildings, emergency procedures), prevention of violence, bullying, harassment, and protection from external threats (e.g., use of weapons and school shootings, surveillance).

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

The Special Rapporteur is inviting input from States, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, national human rights institutions, academics, educators, business actors, as well as civil society organizations.

Questionnaire : English | Français | Русский | Español

How inputs will be used?

All contributions will be posted on the OHCHR website, unless you opt out. Please do not include any personal details which you would not want to be found online.