57th session of the Human Rights Council.
Panel on quality education for peace and tolerance for every child (HRC res. 54/5).
Joint statement on behalf of the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict.
Ms. Vice-President,
I have the honour to pronounce this Joint Statement on behalf of the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict.
While we are today reunited to discuss the importance of ensuring education for peace and tolerance for every child, we are witnessing an increasing number of attacks on schools and other educational facilities.
The Group of Friends is appalled by the military use of schools and the increasing acts of violence and threats against students and teachers in many countries. The Incheon Declaration reminds us that a large proportion of the world’s out of school population lives in conflict-affected areas. This has long-term consequences for sustainable peace, security and development, and the children affected.
Every child has a right to education; education also plays a key role in conflict prevention. It contributes to fostering mutual understanding, nurturing children’s values, reducing poverty and inequality, provides a crucial sense of routine, normalcy and hope for the future, including greater professional opportunities, and helps prevent child recruitment to armed groups and criminal gangs. When combined with mental health and psychosocial support, education can also help children rebuild their lives after conflict and break the cycle of violence.
Additionnaly, girls are 2.5 times more likely than boys to be out of school during emergencies, such as conflict, and are less likely to return to school once a ceasefire is agreed. We reaffirm the right of every boy and girl to an education.
We stress the primary role and responsibility of Governments in providing protection and assistance to all children and in ensuring safe access to quality education. We also encourage States to endorse the Paris Principles and Commitment on children associated with armed forces or armed groups and the Safe Schools Declaration, and to further work on their implementation.
The violations of International Law, including international humanitarian law committed against civilian connected to schools, and against children in armed conflict must be investigated and those responsible duly prosecuted.
Ms. Vice-President,
Reintegrating of children affected by armed conflict requires a holistic approach, in which education has a central role. How can the Human Rights Council support efforts to ensure children’s access to education during and after armed conflict?