UNAMA - Statements Attributable to Spokesman

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan, Mr. Jean Arnault, condemns the despicable attacks on girls’ schools that took place on 2 March in Farah and 19 February in Badakshan. Fortunately there were no casualties, but the attacks by unidentified persons caused damage to school buildings, tents and educational materials.

These deplorable attacks on schools, particularly those serving girls, are cowardly and aimed at thwarting reconstruction and human development. The overwhelming the majority of Afghans want their children – both boys and girls – to be educated. The mere fact that these communities have rallied around to save their schools and condemn these and similar offenses in the past should send a strong message to the perpetrators that their misguided actions are obviously not deterring the desire for education amongst ordinary people.

For those of you who do not have the background, on 2 March there was an attempt to burn a girls’ school in Bala Bluk district in Farah Province. One school tent was completely destroyed while the local community managed to extinguish fires in three others. The Farah incident follows an arson attack on 19 February against another girls' school in Kishem in Badakshan when the main building of Shah Ba Ba Girl's High School was set on fire. Forty per cent of the school was damaged, mostly roof, while classroom materials were destroyed.

The SRSG compliments local authorities on the resolute stand they have taken against these despicable acts and the measures they are taking both to apprehend the perpetrators and their determination to prevent such incidents in the future. The SRSG is also heartened by the efforts of UNICEF to provide replacement tents for classrooms as well as to identify contractors to make permanent repairs before the start of the new school year on 22 March.

Actions such as these, although not widespread (less than 30 incidents reported out of 7000 schools) do detract from the achievements in two years especially with regard to the education of women and girls. But there have been many positive advances. Later on Eddie Carwadine from UNICEF will tell you, for example, about the Winter Accelerated Learning Programme that took place in five provinces over the last three months.

Kabul, 7 March 2004

_______________




:: home press briefings press releases press conferences statements - spokesperson - SRSG/DSRSG - others publications photo gallery contacts UN news centre press briefing search UN Secretary- General & Afghanistan webcasts videos		Statements Attributable to the Spokesperson	2002 \| 2003 \| 2004 \| 2005 \| 2006 \|2007 \|Current

		Statement Attributable to the Spokesman of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan
		The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan, Mr. Jean Arnault, condemns the despicable attacks on girls’ schools that took place on 2 March in Farah and 19 February in Badakshan. Fortunately there were no casualties, but the attacks by unidentified persons caused damage to school buildings, tents and educational materials. These deplorable attacks on schools, particularly those serving girls, are cowardly and aimed at thwarting reconstruction and human development. The overwhelming the majority of Afghans want their children – both boys and girls – to be educated. The mere fact that these communities have rallied around to save their schools and condemn these and similar offenses in the past should send a strong message to the perpetrators that their misguided actions are obviously not deterring the desire for education amongst ordinary people. For those of you who do not have the background, on 2 March there was an attempt to burn a girls’ school in Bala Bluk district in Farah Province. One school tent was completely destroyed while the local community managed to extinguish fires in three others. The Farah incident follows an arson attack on 19 February against another girls' school in Kishem in Badakshan when the main building of Shah Ba Ba Girl's High School was set on fire. Forty per cent of the school was damaged, mostly roof, while classroom materials were destroyed. The SRSG compliments local authorities on the resolute stand they have taken against these despicable acts and the measures they are taking both to apprehend the perpetrators and their determination to prevent such incidents in the future. The SRSG is also heartened by the efforts of UNICEF to provide replacement tents for classrooms as well as to identify contractors to make permanent repairs before the start of the new school year on 22 March. Actions such as these, although not widespread (less than 30 incidents reported out of 7000 schools) do detract from the achievements in two years especially with regard to the education of women and girls. But there have been many positive advances. Later on Eddie Carwadine from UNICEF will tell you, for example, about the Winter Accelerated Learning Programme that took place in five provinces over the last three months. Kabul, 7 March 2004 _______________


	Home \| About UNAMA \| Documents \| News \| Links \| Contacts
Copyright © United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)