AbdulRehman Foundation

Protecting educational facilities in occupied territories is a crucial aspect of ensuring the rights and well-being of the civilian population, particularly children and students. Occupying forces have a responsibility to respect and protect the basic human rights of the local population, including the right to education.

Here are some key points regarding the protection of educational facilities in occupied territories:

1. International Humanitarian Law (IHL): Occupying powers are bound by IHL, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which addresses the protection of civilians during times of armed conflict. Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits the destruction, seizure, or wilful damage of institutions dedicated to education.
2. Right to Education: The right to education is a fundamental human right enshrined in various international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Occupying powers must respect this right and ensure that educational facilities are accessible and safe for the local population.
3. Physical Protection: Occupying forces should take all necessary measures to protect educational facilities from damage, destruction, or misuse. This includes preventing attacks, vandalism, or occupation of schools by military personnel.
4. Continued Functioning: Occupying powers should facilitate the continued functioning of educational institutions in the occupied territories. This involves ensuring that schools have adequate resources, qualified teachers, and a safe learning environment. The occupying authorities should refrain from interfering with the educational process and respect the curriculum and educational standards of the local population.
5. Safety of Students and Staff: Occupying forces have a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of students, teachers, and other education personnel. They should take precautions to prevent and respond to any threats or attacks that could jeopardize the physical integrity of individuals within educational facilities.
6. Access to Education: Occupying powers should not impede or obstruct access to education for the local population. This includes ensuring that students can safely travel to and from schools, and that educational opportunities are available to all, without discrimination.
7. Humanitarian Assistance: Occupying powers should facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance, including educational support, to the affected population in occupied territories. This assistance can help mitigate the impact of occupation on education and provide essential resources to educational institutions.

It is important to note that the responsibility for protecting educational facilities primarily lies with the occupying power. However, local communities, non-governmental organizations, and the international community can play a significant role in advocating for the protection of educational facilities and supporting initiatives that promote access to quality education in occupied territories.

Tags: basic human rights, child rights, children's rights, civil rights, disability rights, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, human dignity, human rights, human rights abuses, human rights advocacy, human rights definition, human rights education, human rights issues, human rights law, human rights violation, human rights violations, indigenous peoples' rights, indigenous rights, international human rights, international human rights law, minority rights, Protection of Educational Facilities in Occupied Territories, refugee rights, reproductive rights, right, right to education, right to privacy, right to work, universal human rights, women's rights