Policy Brief: Preventing attacks on schools

Attacks on schools are a grave human rights violation. This report outlines Save the Children's position and our view on what can be done to prevent them

Published
April 2009

Attacks on schools are widespread and form a pattern of grave human rights violations.

Since the beginning of 2009, hundreds of thousands of children have been unable to go to school as they and their teachers were caught up in conflict and often subjected to violent assault.

The targeting of schools is not new. But the changing nature of conflict, with civilians, including children, increasingly becoming the subject of violence and atrocities, coupled with a culture of impunity, means it is an ever-increasing risk.

This policy brief, part of Save the Children's Rewrite the Future campaign, looks at the following aspects of attacks on schools:

  • Schools under attack
  • Contravening international law
  • Education as an investment in peace
  • What we’re calling for

Download Policy Brief: Preventing attacks on schools (PDF 114KB)

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