Submitted by crinadmin on
[13 January 2009] The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on Tuesday expressed deep concern at the "devastating impact" of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on children, saying there was blatant disregard for their livelihoods. The Committee said in a statement that the pledges 193 states have made to protect the lives and development of children "have been blatantly violated during this crisis." Hundreds of youngsters have been killed or injured and the continuous fighting is harming the health, education and family lives of those living through the conflict. "The emotional and psychological effects of these events on an entire generation of children will be severe," the committee underlined. It stressed that all signatories of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, including Israel, are meant to condemn the targeting of children and direct attacks on places they use such as schools and hospitals. "This affirmation is undermined by the fact that many children have lost their lives as a result of manifest disrespect for their protection and that of their schools, including some administered by the United Nations itself." UN and other relief agencies have protested at shelling that has hit schools, which are often being used as shelters. On January 7, an Israeli strike near Al-Fakhura school in northern Gaza killed 43 people, according to local medical services, sparking condemnation by governments worldwide. The UN panel oversees the application of the convention protecting child rights, which has been ratified by 193 countries including Israel - the highest subscription rate of any human rights treaty. Further Information: ** ICRC criticises "shocking" behaviour of Israeli military (08/01/2009) ** Gaza's children in the firing line (08/01/2009) ** UN condemns school attacks (08/01/2009)