UN experts deeply concerned over 'scholasticide’ in Gaza
GENEVA
(18 April 2024) – UN experts* today expressed grave concern over the
pattern of attacks on schools, universities, teachers, and students in
the Gaza Strip, raising serious alarm over the systemic destruction of
the Palestinian education system.
“With more than 80% of schools
in Gaza damaged or destroyed, it may be reasonable to ask if there is an
intentional effort to comprehensively destroy the Palestinian education
system, an action known as ‘scholasticide’,” the experts said.
The
term refers to the systemic obliteration of education through the
arrest, detention or killing of teachers, students and staff, and the
destruction of educational infrastructure.
After six months of
military assault, more than 5,479 students, 261 teachers and 95
university professors have been killed in Gaza, and over 7,819 students
and 756 teachers have been injured – with numbers growing each day. At
least 60 per cent of educational facilities, including 13 public
libraries, have been damaged or destroyed and at least 625,000 students
have no access to education. Another 195 heritage sites, 227 mosques and
three churches have also been damaged or destroyed, including the
Central Archives of Gaza, containing 150 years of history. Israa
University, the last remaining university in Gaza was demolished by the
Israeli military on 17 January 2024. Without safe schools, women and
girls face additional risks, including gender-based violence. More than 1
million Palestinian children in Gaza are now in need of mental health
and psychosocial support and will suffer the trauma of this war
throughout their lives.
“The persistent, callous attacks on
educational infrastructure in Gaza have a devastating long-term impact
on the fundamental rights of people to learn and freely express
themselves, depriving yet another generation of Palestinians of their
future,” the experts said. “Students with international scholarships are
being prevented from attending university abroad,” they added.
“When schools are destroyed, so too are hopes and dreams.”
Even
UN schools sheltering forcibly displaced civilians are being bombed,
including in Israeli military-designated “safe zones.”
“These
attacks are not isolated incidents. They present a systematic pattern of
violence aimed at dismantling the very foundation of Palestinian
society,” the experts said.
The experts called on all parties to
respect international humanitarian law and international human rights
law, and to protect educational institutions, teachers, and students.
“We remind Israel in particular of its obligations to comply with the
provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on 26 January,” they said.
The
experts said they were equally appalled by the annihilation of the
cultural sector in Gaza, through the destruction of libraries and
cultural heritage sites. “The foundations of Palestinian society are
being reduced to rubble, and their history is being erased.”
"Attacks
on education cannot be tolerated. The international community must send
a clear message that those who target schools and universities will be
held responsible," the experts said, adding that accountability for
these violations includes an obligation to finance and rebuild the
education system.
"We owe it to the children of Gaza to uphold their right to education and pave the way for a more peaceful and just future."
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/04/un-experts-deeply-concerned-over-scholasticide-gaza
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OHCHR 
