[Twoller]

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0100318a2.html

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Include pro-North schools in tuition waiver: U.N. panel

Concerns over threatened discrimination

GENEVA (Kyodo) A U.N. panel monitoring racial equality and nondiscrimination expressed concern Tuesday about Japan's possible exclusion of pro-Pyongyang schools for Korean residents from its planned tuition waiver program for public high school students.

In a report, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it "expresses concern about acts that have discriminatory effects on children's education, including . . . the approach of some politicians suggesting the exclusion of North Korean schools" from the program.

The panel urged Tokyo to "ensure that there is no discrimination in the provision of educational opportunities."

The discriminatory acts concerned also include "the differential treatment of schools for foreigners and descendants of Korean and Chinese residing in (Japan), with regard to public assistance, subsidies and tax exemptions," it said.

The panel also said Japan needs laws to fight racial discrimination and protect foreign residents and minorities, countering Tokyo's view that a national antidiscrimination law is not necessary.

The report, which contains around 20 policy recommendations, concludes the committee's review of Japan's record on fighting racism, held at the end of February.

....

The rest of the article is at the above link.