Tuesday, January 13, 2009

UN Human Rights Body: Violence Devastating for Children

Haaretz, January 13, 2009 - The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child issued a statement on Tuesday in which it said the effect of the 18-day Israel Defense Forces operation in Gaza has been 'devastating' to children living in the coastal territory.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child issued a statement on Tuesday in which it said the effect of the 18-day Israel Defense Forces operation in Gaza has been 'devastating' to children living in the coastal territory.

Children have also experienced serious difficulties in accessing humanitarian aid. The emotional and psychological effects of these events on an entire generation of children will be severe," the statement reads.

The statement calls on Israel to adhere to previously-signed international agreements and avoid "the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict and direct attacks on objects protected under international law, including places that generally have a significant presence of children, such as schools and hospitals."

The Hamas-run Health Ministry said Tuesday the death toll has risen to 971 in the Gaza fighting, among those 400 women and children, a figure that has not been confirmed by outside sources.

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