UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

59^th session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education 

19 June 2025

EU statement

Mr. President, 

The European Union welcomes the Special Rapporteur on the right to education and thanks her for her report. 

Madam Special Rapporteur, 

The right to education can only be fulfilled if the right to be safe in education is respected. In your report, you identify safety in education as a multi-dimensional phenomenon that must consider different hazards, such as climate and environmental disasters, technological and health hazards, conflict and violence, and everyday hazards, particularly for women and girls and those in the most vulnerable situations, such as refugees and persons with disabilities.

The EU and its Member States are committed to fighting any form of violence and discrimination in education, including bullying or cyberbullying. 

The EU reaffirms the human right of everyone to education and also SDG 4 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. This includes guaranteeing that all learners, educators and non-teaching staff are protected from any violation of their integrity and any form of discrimination, violence and harassment in all educational spaces and processes, including digital ones.

As such, the EU calls on all States to use the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022–2030 as important guidance on this behalf.

Madam Special Rapporteur,

New and emerging technologies have become relevant tools in educational settings. However, they may also pose significant challenges. How can States, educators and schools ensure that learners take advantage of digitalisation whilst countering its negative impacts, particularly considering the gender digital divide?