The Youth Initiative for Human Rights in Kosovo published a report titled "Discriminatory Language in School Textbooks", which was prepared and published with the financial support from the European Union and the Council of Europe through the EU-COE joint Horizontal Facility III Action on Combating Discrimination and Hatred. As part of Human Rights week, an event was organized on 11 December, where the report was presented highlighting the most recurrent discriminatory patterns in the use of language in school textbooks, which can ultimately lead to the marginalization and exclusion of certain individuals or groups from equal participation in Kosovo*'s society.
This report thoroughly examines the discrimination present in textbooks used in upper secondary education in Kosovo, focusing on various parameters including gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnicity, and abilities. The study explores whether the educational materials used in Kosovo support or undermine human rights principles related to equality. Further, the report also includes a set of recommendations that highlight the need and responsibility of all relevant institutions to review school textbooks and foster an inclusive educational environment, free from discrimination.
The event also integrated a public discussion on this important topic, emphasizing the urgency and the need for all relevant stakeholders to take concrete actions. The discussion focused on the necessity of revising the narrative within school textbooks to ensure they accurately reflect the values of equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity. During the interactive discussion, the participants highlighted the critical role that educational materials play in shaping a more equitable and inclusive society, and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve these changes.
Highlighting the importance of the conference and stressing the role of the Council of Europe in promoting democracy and protecting human rights and the rule of law in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, Mary-Ann Hennessey, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Pristina, said: “to address discriminatory language which can lead to hate speech and further to hate crime - requires teamwork, creativity and determination. It is essential to safeguard our human rights, our freedom of expression and assembly in safety and dignity for all, both online, in the media and in our public spaces.“ She emphasized that hate speech and discriminatory language “hurts societies and undermines social cohesion by putting individuals and groups one against the other“.
*All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
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