UNIS/SGSM/1430
4 September 2024
Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in attacks on students, teachers, educational personnel and schools around the world — from Gaza, to Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere.
Every conflict exacts a cruel human toll. But for the children and young people caught up in the hell of conflict, the cost is incalculable.
This important day reminds us of the damage of war on young learners’ bodies, minds and spirits. From injuries and loss of life, to abduction, forced displacement, sexual violence, recruitment to the fighting, and lost opportunities, the risks are enormous.
Education is not only a basic human right in itself — it’s essential to the fulfilment of all human rights.
I call on all countries to invest in education and spare no effort to safeguard education and places of learning, protect students and teachers alike, and hold accountable perpetrators of attacks on places of learning.
I also urge all countries to fully endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration, support the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, and stand with all efforts to ensure that children and young people can continue their learning — both in times of crisis and after the fighting stops.
Let’s protect education from attack, and safeguard the fundamental right to education that belongs to every child and young person, everywhere.
* *** *
"The epidemic of violence against women and girls shames humanity." — António Guterres
"On this Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare, we pay tribute to those killed or injured, and resolve to end this horror." — António Guterres
Gabon signed the United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships (the "Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships") at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 14 November 2024.
During the 141st session of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the Board held consultations with Member States on the human rights dimensions of drug control.
