U.N. Human Rights Commission Adopts Decisions on Education Suggested by Jewish Groups

The United Nations Human Rights Commission last night adopted a nine-point article on education, part of which was specifically suggested by Jewish groups.

One point offered by the Jewish organizations and adopted by the Commission declares that “education shall encourage the full development of the human personality, strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the suppression of incitement to racial and other hatreds. It shall promote understanding and tolerance among all nations, racial, ethnic and religious groups and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace and to enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society.”

Another proposal of the Jewish groups accepted by the U.N. body states that “the obligations of states to establish a system of free education shall not be deemed incompatible with the liberty of parents to choose for their children privately established systems of education which conform with the minimum standard laid down by the states.”

Still another recommendation accepted by the U.N. Commission was one that says that “in the exercise of any function which the state assumes in the field of education it shall have respect for the liberty of parents to ensure that the religious education of their children is in conformity with their own convictions.”