ABSTRACT
To achieve ethnic and gender equality, States have a duty to influence public opinion through education. This requires States to utilise their powers to punish racist speech, eliminate sex role stereotyping and prejudice, and target any other ideas that breed discrimination. Yet ethnic and gender equality is not the only area in which public opinion presents an obstacle to the realisation and defence of human rights. This chapter discusses whether States have a general duty to educate and inform public opinion on human rights issues. The discussion starts with an analysis of the aim and content of education, continuing to the widespread educational measures prescribed in human rights instruments and finally progressing to State practices in educating the public in order to realise and establish adherence to human rights in society.
