UN calls for cessation of school bombings in Ukraine

The UN, at the Security Council meeting convened today at the request of France and Mexico, condemned its use for military purposes and demanded an end to the bombing of schools in Ukraine.

“These attacks on schools must stop,” said Omar Abdi, senior official at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

On February 24, “As of last week, at least 15 – one in six – of 89 schools supported by Unicef ​​in eastern Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the war.”

“Hundreds of schools across the country have been hit by heavy artillery, airstrikes and other explosive weapons in populated areas, while others are used for information centres, bunkers, supply centers or military purposes and have a long-term impact on the return of children to school”, Abdi condemned him.

During the discussion, Mexico and France reiterated that the attacks on schools are a clear violation of human rights.

Nicolas de Rivière, France’s ambassador to the UN, said “the Russian army continues to kill civilians, including children” and the “cost of war” for the latter is “terrible” and called for hostilities to cease.

Joyce Msuya, head of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs, argued that “intense conflicts cause great suffering” and that “civilians, especially women and children, pay the highest price”.

In particular, he said, “action against mines” should be supported. “Demining is a priority to open up humanitarian space,” he said.

Msuya also urged “parties to the conflict to remove any barriers to the movement of humanitarian personnel to ensure the continued delivery of vital aid through Ukraine”.