Mr. President,
Estonia aligns with the EU statement.
The recent findings of the Commission of Inquiry concerning the deliberate and widespread destruction of Gaza’s educational infrastructure are deeply alarming. This directly undermines the right of Palestinian children and youth to education, essential to their personal development, dignity, and future prospects. This is unacceptable.
Such actions directly contravene the principles set forth in the Safe Schools Declaration, which calls on states to protect educational facilities from attack and to ensure the continuation of education during armed conflict.
As a member of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict, we emphasize the importance of, and call on all parties to armed conflict to fully comply with international humanitarian and human rights law, and to take concrete steps to protect children, including by safeguarding their right to safe, uninterrupted education. Children`s rights and needs must be upheld everywhere, including in armed conflicts.
I thank you!