Intervention by Greece to the Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Friday 31st of May, 09:00-12.00, PdN Room XX

Thank you Mr. President,

Greece would like to express its appreciation to the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Mr. Kishore Singh, for his report on justiciability of the right to education. We would like to reiterate our support for this thematic mandate. Greece has addressed a standing invitation to Special Procedures and we invite all States to do so as well.

We welcome the multidimensional work undertaken by the Special Rapporteur and his engagement with different stakeholders, including international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, judges, lawyers, scholars and experts.

We fully subscribe to the view that States have the primary responsibility to ensure that the right to education is respected and fulfilled and that universal access to basic education without discrimination is safeguarded. Effective enforcement and justiciability of the right to education is contingent upon robust legal and institutional framework, independence of the judiciary and quasi-judicial mechanisms, which provide also access to remedies in cases of violations of this right. In Greece education is free for all even at university level and all children have access to education regardless of the legal status of their parents. 

In the Special Rapporteur’s view, how do the current budget constraints affect the enforcement and justiciability of the right to education?

We have noticed that the report also offers avenues for the promotion of the access to education by all, focusing particularly on the most vulnerable parts of the society. We would appreciate if the Special Rapporteur could elaborate further on how can the Human Rights Council contribute further to this end.
Finally, we would like to wish to both Special Rapporteurs present here today  all success in their work.

Thank you Mr. President