Terrorist attacks on schools in Afghanistan

Vernor Munoz, the UN Commission of Human Rights Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education has expressed his outrage at the systematic targeting of schools by terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

After the latest attack in Kunar Province, Vernor Munoz stated “In my capacity as Special Rapporteur on the right to education, I wish to express my condolences, outrage and solidarity to the people of the Kunar province in Afghanistan for the loss of human life and serious injuries as a result of the terrorist attack by rocket on the Salabagh School in Asadabad”

The UN official added that he was “deeply concerned that schools, especially girls' schools, seem to be systematically targeted by terrorist groups with the apparent objective of forcing parents to refrain from sending their children to school and thus the authorities to close those schools”.

Exactly what goes through the mind of a terrorist who fires weaponry at schoolchildren defies logic since such acts of horrendous cruelty and cowardice strike at the core of mankind’s collective civilization. Targeting innocent and defenceless civilians, and especially children, with military equipment is perhaps the lowest any human being can sink to.

For Vernor Munoz, “The fundamental human right to education includes the right to a safe education. Children have the right to safety in school establishments that are conducive to a positive learning environment”.

It is clear that the Taleban regime continues to have support in Afghanistan among individuals whose warped interpretation of Islam is an insult to their religion and whose very existence is a stain upon the collective image of humankind.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru