Nigeria: EI condemns shocking school massacre

After the attack on 6 July, Yobe Governor Ibrahim Gaidam deplored a “cold-blooded murder”. Visiting the school the next day, he described the attackers as “cold-hearted and devoid of any shred of humanity”. Eyewitnesses said some of the victims were burned alive in the attack, while others were shot as they tried to flee.

Yobe state's secondary schools to be closed until September

Gaidam also ordered the state's secondary schools to be closed until the start of the new academic term in September, to allow state and federal government officials as well as community leaders to work on ways to guarantee the safety of schools.

Nigeria’s authorities blamed Islamist militant group Boko Haram (“Western education is forbidden”) - which targeted two schools in the region in June - for the attack. Dozens of schools have been burned in attacks by Islamists since 2010.

More than 600 people were believed to have been killed in 2012 by Boko Haram, which is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state in Nigeria's predominantly Muslim North.

Boko Haram’s militants have increasingly targeted civilians, including health workers on vaccination campaigns, teachers and government workers.

Schools must be safe sanctuaries

“EI strongly condemns this attack and outburst of violence,” EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen stated. “We believe education is a basic human right that must be ensured in all circumstances, and school must be considered safe sanctuaries.”

He also stressed that “in addition to the tragic loss of life, violence against teachers undermines confidence in education systems, traumatises students, and discourages parents from sending children to school.”

He urged the national public authorities to immediately remedy to the deteriorating safety in North East Nigeria and ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.

Van Leeuwen added that since the adoption of the EI recommendation on ‘Education under Attack and Persecuted Teachers’ and the adoption of the EI Declaration ‘Schools Shall Be Safe Sanctuaries’, EI has engaged in advocacy initiatives to urge the international community to act to prevent violations of the right to education, to ensure the safety and security of learners, teachers, education personnel and academics everywhere and to strengthen international law and to end impunity.

EI Declaration “Schools shall be safe sanctuaries” is available here

[Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:05:51 +0000] | DIGG THIS