Children's rights are central to peacebuilding processes

Education plays a vital role in the recovery and reintegration of children affected by armed conflict.

Ms. Alua Nadirkulova, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, emphasized this in her speech as the keynote speaker of the thematic discussion on quality education for peace and tolerance for all children on September 18, within the framework of the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, taking place from September 9 to October 11 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ambassador Alua Nadirkulova (center) speaks at a panel discussion on quality education for peace and tolerance for all children. (Source: Astana Times)

The topic was pushed by Kazakhstan under a resolution passed last year.

Highlighting the role of education as a key tool for ensuring peace and stability for societies everywhere in the world, Ambassador Alua Nadirkulova shared Kazakhstan’s experience in repatriating and reintegrating Kazakh children from conflict zones in Syria and Iraq.

"Countries in the Central Asian region, along with many others, have been working to repatriate and reintegrate children affected by armed conflict and terrorism. In our experience, education plays a key role in the recovery and restoration of the future of these children." (Ambassador Alua Nadirkulova)

Kazakhstan is deeply committed to promoting humanitarian efforts and addressing the human rights challenges faced by women and children, as well as the overall recovery process. Thanks to special humanitarian operations, 725 Kazakh citizens have returned to their homeland, including 37 men, 188 women and 500 children.

After completing the rehabilitation procedures, all returnees from the de-escalation zones in Syria and Iraq will have equal rights with other Kazakh citizens, including the right to education.

Ambassador Alua Nadirkulova stated that among those repatriated, more than 200 children were enrolled in preschool education and more than 200 children were enrolled in schools. In addition, more than 140 children had the opportunity to participate in creative, sports and extracurricular and recreational activities such as visiting theaters, museums, picnics, etc.

To avoid discrimination, all children born in war zones are recorded with birth certificates that clearly state the parents’ hometown as their place of birth. This, she said, is important for children’s adaptation to society and the schools they attend.

“We must ensure that children’s rights are at the heart of peace-building processes and that education promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, mutual understanding, gender equality and friendship among all people. Only through respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms can peace and tolerance be truly promoted.” (Ambassador Alua Nadirkulova)

On the same day, the Kazakhstan Mission in Geneva, the Global Community Engagement and Rehabilitation Fund (GCERF) and the Aqniet Kazakh Foundation organized a side event “Right to Peace: Reintegration of Kazakhstani Citizens from Conflict Zones into Society”. The event focused on the importance of ensuring the fundamental rights and freedoms of returnees from conflict zones in Syria and Iraq as part of their social reintegration.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/quyen-cua-tre-em-la-trong-tam-cua-cac-qua-trinh-xay-dung-hoa-binh-288201.html