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	Study reflects school textbooks need to be free of religious discrimination by CRIN, The Express Tribune Pakistan   The study found that 22 school textbooks contain discriminatory material towards minorities and other countries, as well as making insulting remarks against minority religions and including distorted historical facts.   As many as 55 chapters in 22 course books used in Sindh and Punjab were found to contain discriminatory material against minorities, according to a study conducted by the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP).The textbooks were used in grades one to 10 in the 2012-2013 school year.   In a meeting with political parties on the subject of ‘Human Rights Concepts and Religious Freedom’ held on Saturday at a local hotel, NCJP Executive Director Peter Jacob elaborated on the study titled ‘Taleem ya Nafrat ki Aabiyari’ (Education or spreading hate).   Jacob informed participants that 55 chapters of 22 course books contained discriminatory material towards minorities and other countries. He added the books also made insulting remarks against minority religions and distorted historical facts.   Apart from showing evidence of religious biases in school textbooks, NCJP’s study also identified discrimination against the country’s religious minorities in the education policy itself, Jacob said.   No alternatives for studying any faith other than the religion followed by the majority exist. Extra marks are even awarded for showing proficiency in the dominant religious scripture.   “The whole treatment and arrangement of textbooks is visibly discriminatory against non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan,” Jacob stated. “This violates Articles 18, 20, 22 and 25 of the Constitution.”   Comparing the study’s results to previous years, Jacob said an increase in hate-based material in books was recorded in the 2012-2013 academic year in Punjab.   In 2009, there were 45 instances of hate speech found in textbooks and this number increased to 122 in 2013. Most of this material is found in Urdu and Pakistan studies textbooks used in grades seven to 10, he informed.   In Sindh, during the academic years 2009-2011, a total of 11 lessons consisted of hate-based material. In the current year, the number has jumped to 22.   Following Jacob’s address, the political parties’ representatives expressed their parties’ points of view on human rights, religious freedom and reforms in education.   Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chapter spokesperson Jalil Jan criticised the West for creating caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He said minorities enjoyed full freedom in Pakistan and his party would try to bring a change in the curriculum to accommodate all faiths.   Awami National Party (ANP) K-P chapter president Senator Afrasiab Khattak said the previous ANP-led government had framed laws to impart primary education in the mother tongue across the province. Extending his congratulations to the newly-elected government, he asked it should concentrate on education.   Underlining the need for reforms in the education sector in general, and curriculum policy in particular, the following recommendations were made by the participants.   Representatives of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Qaumi Watan Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians and Mazdoor Kissan Party were also present at the meeting.   Recommendations   Education and curriculum policies should be reviewed to incorporate a clear direction for removing lessons and subjects discriminatory towards minority faiths/religions.   A group of independent historians should be assigned to isolate distorted historical facts in textbooks.   Subjects other than religious studies should not have lessons and exercises about religion, or should be inclusive of other religions without discrimination and bias.   Students belonging to other religious groups, who study ethics as a substitute for Islamic studies, should be able to study their own religions.   No preference should be given in terms of religion and equal treatment of students belonging to all religions should be ensured.   http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=31319&flag=news http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=45437&Cr=culure&Cr1= Visit the related web page
	Individual and community impacts of racist crime by Chibo Onyeji European Network Against Racism   The latest edition of our webzine, focuses on the individual and community impact of racist crime in Europe. It starts with an overview of data collection mechanisms and available data on the reality of racist crime in Europe. This is followed by an analysis of the impact of the EU Framework Decision on racism and xenophobia for victims of racist crime and an assessment of how a climate of hostility can create the conditions for ‘hate’ in the United Kingdom.   Testimonies by victims of racist violence give evidence of the harms inflicted, while further articles focus on the community impact of racist violence and the wider institutional racism involved. Finally, best practices in support to victims of hate crime – both by the police and by civil society organisations - are presented.   Every day ethnic and religious minorities face racist crime and violence across the EU. Often this reality is denied or underestimated. Despite the lack of data and information on racist crime and violence, our shadow reports on Racism in Europe have expressed serious concern about an apparent increase in such crime and its severity in a number of EU Member States. These findings have been corroborated in reports by other bodies such as the EU Fundamental Rights Agency and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.   In addition, the specificity of racist violence is that it has a ripple effect: not only does the individual have to deal with the hurt and isolation but everyone who shares that person’s identity becomes a potential target.   This community then has a shared fear that they are vulnerable to harassment and violence because of their identity. On a wider scale this serves to isolate and polarise groups, creating tensions within the fabric of society.   While most Member States have some legal protections in place to combat racist crime and violence, there are very different approaches to recognising racism as a crime, and the scope of the legislation and remedies varies considerably. However, even where laws are in place, the infrastructure and political will to ensure effective implementation of the law does not necessarily exist.   In addition, where there is no legislation defining racist crime as an aggravating factor, crime statistics do not mention whether the crime had a bias element. Even when hate crimes are registered, hate incidents with low levels of violence are often not reported and therefore rarely recorded.   Further, the recording process is also problematic due to a lack of awareness of some police as to what a racist crime is and even unwillingness sometimes to record a crime as racist.   Indeed, reports by ENAR members make reference to situations where the police themselves were guilty of racism and where victims became the subject of investigation when reporting their attacks or were made to feel that the harassment was self-provoked. The testimonies and articles in this webzine raise concerns regarding EU Member States’ response to racist violence.   It is therefore essential that Member States effectively implement existing legislation that protects victims of racist violence. Aggravated sentencing on the basis of racist motive should be introduced in all EU Member States. They should also ensure enhanced reporting and recording of racist crime and collect data in this area in order to develop adequate policy and legislative responses. Visit the related web page
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