UNSC Arria Formula meeting - “Protection of Education in Conflict”

(1500 hrs EST; 6 December 2021)

INDIA STATEMENT

By

Mr. Ashish Sharma

First Secretary

Mr. Chair

I would like to thank the delegations of Norway and Niger for organizing this meeting. I also thank the briefers for sharing their insights on this issue.

We understand and recognize that Resolution 2601 adopted by the Security Council in October 2021, refers only to facilitating the continuation and the protection of education in the situations of armed conflict.

The resolution should not be interpreted as applicable to non-armed conflict situations. Such a narrative will be detrimental to the working of other organs of the UN and we should avoid transgressing into issues which do not pertain to the mandate of the Security Council.

Having said that, there can be no doubt that the issue of protection of children in armed conflict should continue to be on the Council’s high priority. The international community has the responsibility and, indeed, the obligation, to do its utmost to provide support to children affected by armed conflict without discrimination in any manner.

Real peace in this world can only be achieved when we start educating children of oneness of the entire creation, exemplified by our traditional wisdom of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, the Whole World is One Family.

Children’s access to education is fundamental to building a peaceful and civilized society. Education, particularly primary education, must be affordable, accessible and of high quality.

The best interest of the child is at the forefront of our national development endeavours in India. The Right to Education is a fundamental right as enshrined in the Constitution of India and all children up to 14 years of age are entitled to free and compulsory education.

India strongly supports efforts at continuation of education in societies and communities affected by armed conflict. We have set up a large number of schools in the countries in conflict situations in our neighbourhood and beyond.

Mr. Chair

One of the major violations witnessed against children in armed conflict continues to be attacks on schools and educations facilities, leading to severe disruption in the education of children.

National Governments have the primary responsibility to protect the rights of children, including their access to education. The Security Council must support efforts of governments to protect schools and other educational facilities as well as students and teachers to ensure uninterrupted education for children.

For children, schools are not just a place of learning but a social safety net. Absence of safe school environments multiply protection challenges. Young women and girls become vulnerable to various forms of subjugation including sexual and gender-based violence, fall victims of forced and child marriages, and human trafficking.

The Council must assist Member States affected by armed conflict situations in strengthening their capacity building to promote and protect children’s rights, particularly children’s access to education.

Mr. Chair

The terrorists and armed groups are increasingly targeting education facilities leading to school closures. Lack of access to schools lend children vulnerable to exploitation and recruitment by terrorists and other non-state actors. For terror groups, children are most susceptible to manipulation, whether as active participants in terror or as human shields to protect the perpetrators of terror.

To conclude, I would like to reaffirm India’s firm commitment and steadfast support to UN endeavours to protect children in armed conflicts.

I thank you.

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