UN Urges Protection of Palestinian Children From Israeli Settlers' Violence
Arab World
Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat
United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territories Lynn Hastings said in a statement marking the return to school for almost 1.2 million children in the occupied Palestinian territories that all parties must commit to the protection of children in accordance with international law no matter where they are. "Children not only have a right to a safe education but are afforded special protections under international human rights in view of their specific vulnerability," Hastings said in her statement. According to the UN official, 79 Palestinian children have been killed and 1,269 others injured since the beginning of 2021. "Sixty-seven children were killed in the Gaza Strip during the recent escalation and another in June by an Explosive Remnant of War", she noted, adding that “in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, 11 children were killed in 2021 - 10 since May - and 584 injured (378 by tear gas) by Israeli Forces. Excessive use of force must stop.” “COVID-19 has meant that, in the last school year, keeping up with classes from home was more challenging, particularly as only 35 percent of Palestinian households having access to home computers. Schools in Gaza have been closed since the escalation in May; and today, nearly 180,000 children in the Gaza Strip aged from 4-17 will be attending or returning to schools that are still damaged because materials needed for repairs have not been allowed into Gaza,” she continued. Hastings said Israel should protect "children and teachers from harassment and violence by settlers on their way to and from school."
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3145481/un-urges-protection-palestinian-children-israeli-settlers-violence
No comments:
Post a Comment