Wednesday
Mar182009
UN debate on providing education during wars and conflicts
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 2:26PM
The General Assembly called together a thematic debate on emergencies this morning to highlight every child's right to education during wars and conflicts. Radhika Coomaraswamy, who heads up the UN's children and armed conflict unit said "Education and that sense of safety is crucial for children. Any attacks or bombardments on schools is a violation of humanitarian law. We also have to raise the issue of the girl's right to education." She also went on to add that education taught wrongly can also make the situation worse and added specifically hate education and the training of child solders.
Coomaraswamy also noted on her recent visit to Gaza, "I think with these attacks on schools, there should be a criminal investigation. Of course there has to be a clear intention to attack, but we need a credible and legitimate legal process of investigation. The people held accountable should be allowed to testify. Accountability. It is very important for these children including those attacked in Southern Israel." Ms. Coomaraswamy's investigation will be presented and released to the Human Right Council this month with an expected launch date to the public on the 27th of March.
UNESCO said that financing has made education for all even more difficult. Half the 75 million children in the world in primary schools are living in countries of conflict. Only a few donor countries including Canada, Denmark, Japan, Norway and Sweden give money to education as part of their humanitarian template. There is also more difficulty in financing education due to the perception that education is a development issue and not a humanitarian issue.
The Spokesperson, Michele Montas gave an update on the African Union (AU) reporting more United Nations vehicles and staff members being attacked in Darfur. Some personnel were severely beaten by attackers and there continues to be growing humanitarian problems in the region. The Secretary-General spoke this morning to the Security Council on improving the relationships with the African Union. The AU has a slew of problems including a lack of resources and inadequate staff to maintain peacekeeping operations.
On Gaza, Montas said the overall levels of humanitarian aid remain well below what is required. Only a few truck loads have been allowed into the region by the Israeli government. Israeli has also banned jam, biscuits and tomato paste to get into Gaza. Sixty-six percent of the residents remain in a serious state of need.The board of inquiry reported the investigation to end by the end of this month and then the Secretary-General will review the report and decide what to do with the conclusions. The Israeli government has also promised to investigate the atrocities committed by Israeli military on United Nations schools in Gaza. The General Assembly President will also be organizing a meeting where the 182 member countries will be asked to participate and review the actions by the Israeli military and Hamas during the conflict in Gaza early this year.
On Chad, the UNHCR have registered score of refugees to carry out food distribution. UNICEF has also started distributing other medicines. In Kenya, the World Food Programme will be providing aid to over two hundred thousand people affected by the drought. On piracy off the coast of Somalia, the AU is working to develop a plan to prosecute those who are attacking ships and committing theft on these coasts. On Madagascar, the UN does not support rebel take-overs , Montas added, "We do not support unconstitutional changes in government." The parliamentary court in Madagascar said the turnover was not a coup, but legal.
On Sri Lanka, there are many children being killed and the UNICEF chief said these children must be protected.
The Durban 2 conference will be held in Geneva next month and there are many concerns about the conference from governments including the United States, Italy and Israel who are abstaining from attending the follow-up review on global racism.
Coomaraswamy also noted on her recent visit to Gaza, "I think with these attacks on schools, there should be a criminal investigation. Of course there has to be a clear intention to attack, but we need a credible and legitimate legal process of investigation. The people held accountable should be allowed to testify. Accountability. It is very important for these children including those attacked in Southern Israel." Ms. Coomaraswamy's investigation will be presented and released to the Human Right Council this month with an expected launch date to the public on the 27th of March.
UNESCO said that financing has made education for all even more difficult. Half the 75 million children in the world in primary schools are living in countries of conflict. Only a few donor countries including Canada, Denmark, Japan, Norway and Sweden give money to education as part of their humanitarian template. There is also more difficulty in financing education due to the perception that education is a development issue and not a humanitarian issue.
The Spokesperson, Michele Montas gave an update on the African Union (AU) reporting more United Nations vehicles and staff members being attacked in Darfur. Some personnel were severely beaten by attackers and there continues to be growing humanitarian problems in the region. The Secretary-General spoke this morning to the Security Council on improving the relationships with the African Union. The AU has a slew of problems including a lack of resources and inadequate staff to maintain peacekeeping operations.
On Gaza, Montas said the overall levels of humanitarian aid remain well below what is required. Only a few truck loads have been allowed into the region by the Israeli government. Israeli has also banned jam, biscuits and tomato paste to get into Gaza. Sixty-six percent of the residents remain in a serious state of need.The board of inquiry reported the investigation to end by the end of this month and then the Secretary-General will review the report and decide what to do with the conclusions. The Israeli government has also promised to investigate the atrocities committed by Israeli military on United Nations schools in Gaza. The General Assembly President will also be organizing a meeting where the 182 member countries will be asked to participate and review the actions by the Israeli military and Hamas during the conflict in Gaza early this year.
On Chad, the UNHCR have registered score of refugees to carry out food distribution. UNICEF has also started distributing other medicines. In Kenya, the World Food Programme will be providing aid to over two hundred thousand people affected by the drought. On piracy off the coast of Somalia, the AU is working to develop a plan to prosecute those who are attacking ships and committing theft on these coasts. On Madagascar, the UN does not support rebel take-overs , Montas added, "We do not support unconstitutional changes in government." The parliamentary court in Madagascar said the turnover was not a coup, but legal.
On Sri Lanka, there are many children being killed and the UNICEF chief said these children must be protected.
The Durban 2 conference will be held in Geneva next month and there are many concerns about the conference from governments including the United States, Italy and Israel who are abstaining from attending the follow-up review on global racism.
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