UN REF: A/HRC/56/NGO/132

DATE: 12 June 2024

TITLE: The Reality of the Educational Sector in Gaza During the Current Genocide

Written statement submitted by The Palestinian Return Centre, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status. Human Rights Council Fifty-sixth session, 18 June –12 July 2024, Agenda item 3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

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PRESS RELEASE:

Report to UN Human Rights Council: Reality of Educational Sector in Gaza during Current Genocide

The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) in London submitted a written statement to the UN Human Rights Council as part of Agenda item 3 on the “Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development”.

The report has warned of Israel’s escalation of its systematic destruction of the educational system in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 and the army's targeting of academics, educational institutions, and cultural heritage sites.

PRC pointed out that the Israeli attacks have serious long-term effects, damaging about 70% of universities and colleges in the sector.

Citing UN data, the report said that three university presidents and over 95 deans and professors were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while 88,000 students were forced to interrupt their university education, and 555 students were unable to travel on international scholarships.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Education, more than 4,327 students were killed, 7,819 were injured, and 231 teachers and administrators were killed and 756 were injured. Academics have confirmed that these attacks amount to a level of cognitive killing, affecting the future of Palestinian youth.

PRC said the systematic targeting of civilian premises, including protected historical and cultural sites, constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime under the Rome Statute, and is also classified as genocide.

PRC said accountability and impunity should not be limited to the criminal realm. Efforts and focus should also be directed, with equal importance, towards civil responsibility and compensation for serious violations of international law during the aggression on Gaza, including destruction of schools and universities and targeting of teachers and students.

The Centre said priority should be given to restoring and rebuilding colleges, universities, and other educational establishments that have been harmed or destroyed. International organizations and donors ought to be enlisted to contribute the money and materials required for this endeavor.

The report stressed that it is important to provide and execute reliable remote learning strategies to guarantee the continuation of education in emergency situations. This entails giving students access to electronic devices, internet connectivity, and virtual classrooms.

PRC further called for creating global networks of solidarity and support to exchange resources, knowledge, and best practices for the development and rehabilitation of education. These networks can offer a venue for cooperation between academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, governments, and other parties devoted to meeting Gaza's students' educational requirements.