The UNESCO governance was informed about the crimes committed by Armenia against the civilian population and educational institutions of Azerbaijan

On October 28, 2020, Acting Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO Ayaz Gojayev met with the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini.

During the meeting, A. Gojayev informed the other side about the recent military provocation committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan. It was determined that to date, many civilians, including children and women, were killed, many civilians were seriously injured and a lot of civilian infrastructures, including schools and kindergartens, were severely damaged.

Gojayev noted that as a result of artillery shelling of our territories far from the conflict zone by the Armenian armed forces, schools and kindergartens in these areas were damaged, 39 schools became unserviceable, lessons in 1,200 schools were rescheduled, forcing thousands of pupils out of school. Armenia's deliberately attacks on Azerbaijan's civilian infrastructure are in contrary to the international law, in particular the 1949 Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols.

In addition, it was noted that by using children in the military operations Armenia violates the protection guaranteed for children by the IV Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians and the Additional Protocol which provides that "children shall be the object of special respect and shall be protected against any form of indecent assault". By such actions, Armenia vigorously violates the child rights enshrined in the UN Child Rights Convention, its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict. While using children as combatants Armenia deprives the children of their fundamental rights, in particular the right to life and the right to protection, as children might become military targets as combatants.

It was mentioned that knowing that children can be military targets like combatants, Armenia intends to deliberately make accusations against Azerbaijan in this way in the future.

Gojayev said that targeting children and schools, involving children in the war are the international crimes, and he stressed the importance of condemning these actions of Armenia by the international organizations, as well as the international community.

Moreover, the UNESCO official was informed that Armenia hit the city of Barda of Azerbaijan with a multiple rocket launcher system, causing serious civilian causalities. As a result of the missile attack on Barda 21 civilians, including children were killed and more than 70 people seriously injured.

Expressing gratitude for the provided information, S.Giannini expressed her regret over the deaths of children, noting that UNESCO closely monitors the events and is ready to protect students and education in general within its mandate.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan is a loyal partner of UNESCO, she said that they are interested in developing the close cooperation with our country in the future.