ID :
166603
Tue, 03/08/2011 - 20:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/166603
The shortlink copeid
UNICEF urges not to catch up children in disputes in Yemen
SANA'A, March 08 (Saba) - UNICEF expressed on Tuesday major concerns that children are increasingly becoming victims of violence in the current unrest felt all over Yemen.
In a press release issued by the organization, UNICEF Yemen Country Office made reference to Monday's confirmed reports from Aden, which read that a number of schools in al-Mansoura and al-Mu'alla districts of Aden governorate being attacked by demonstrators.
The reports showed that children and teachers were threatened and told that "if they would not leave the schools and join the protest, they would be burnt down", confirming that gun shots were heard in the area.
"Attacks on schools are of grave concern to UNICEF", says Geert Cappelaere, representative of UNICEF Yemen. "Children are the first and most vulnerable victims of any emergency or civil unrest. We must make sure children are not caught up in the disputes of adults.
Violence is not the answer, it is the problem".
According to the press release, recent reports also showed that children and adolescents were involved and have even been harmed in direct confrontations in past weeks.
Such reports are of great concern to UNICEF.
The Organization said that violent protests put the health, education protection of Yemeni children, at great risk, and add further to their plight.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has denounced the violence in Yemen and called on all sides not to resort to it, as said by the press release.
Urging to respect the rights of children, UNICEF called upon all the involved to refrain from the use of violence and protect children at all costs, kept out of harm's way and never to be exposed to violence that can affect their physical and psychological well-being.
The Organization concluded its press release by saying that "Schools should represent safe environments for children, where their rights to basic education are ensured".
Worth to mention is that the Ministry of Education has warned of catching up children in the political disputes and factional conflicts.
Minister of Education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi asserted the ministry will punish anyone involves children in such disputes, calling upon all to respect schools.
In a press release issued by the organization, UNICEF Yemen Country Office made reference to Monday's confirmed reports from Aden, which read that a number of schools in al-Mansoura and al-Mu'alla districts of Aden governorate being attacked by demonstrators.
The reports showed that children and teachers were threatened and told that "if they would not leave the schools and join the protest, they would be burnt down", confirming that gun shots were heard in the area.
"Attacks on schools are of grave concern to UNICEF", says Geert Cappelaere, representative of UNICEF Yemen. "Children are the first and most vulnerable victims of any emergency or civil unrest. We must make sure children are not caught up in the disputes of adults.
Violence is not the answer, it is the problem".
According to the press release, recent reports also showed that children and adolescents were involved and have even been harmed in direct confrontations in past weeks.
Such reports are of great concern to UNICEF.
The Organization said that violent protests put the health, education protection of Yemeni children, at great risk, and add further to their plight.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has denounced the violence in Yemen and called on all sides not to resort to it, as said by the press release.
Urging to respect the rights of children, UNICEF called upon all the involved to refrain from the use of violence and protect children at all costs, kept out of harm's way and never to be exposed to violence that can affect their physical and psychological well-being.
The Organization concluded its press release by saying that "Schools should represent safe environments for children, where their rights to basic education are ensured".
Worth to mention is that the Ministry of Education has warned of catching up children in the political disputes and factional conflicts.
Minister of Education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi asserted the ministry will punish anyone involves children in such disputes, calling upon all to respect schools.
