Historic Recognition by States of the Abidjan Principles on the Right to Education by Top UN Human Rights Body

The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) unanimously adopted last Thursday a new resolution on the right to education and in doing so firmly recognised the Abidjan Principles on the right to education. This is the first formal recognition to date by States of this new instrument, the Human Rights Council being made up of 47 States elected by their peers. 

The Abidjan Principles were adopted in February 2019 by over 50 eminent experts on the right to education, following a three-year consultative process with decision-makers, communities and practitioners. This landmark text unpacks existing human rights law regarding the obligations of States to provide public education and to regulate private involvement in education. It is quickly becoming one of the reference instruments on the right to education, in particular in the context of the growing privatisation and commercialisation of education worldwide.