Parliament Gives Green Light To Endorse ‘Safe Schools Declaration’

The Safe Schools Declaration is a political commitment to better protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during armed conflict. It was drafted through a consultative process which was led by the countries, Norway & Argentina, that was opened for state endorsement at an international conference held in Oslo, Norway, back in May 2015.

It was in January this year, the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih decided to seek Parliament’s consideration to endorse the declaration following the recommendation of his Cabinet.  

With the vote of 38 members, the Parliament in its today’s sitting have given its approval for the nation endorse the ‘Safe Schools Declaration’.

As endorsing states must commit to use the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military use during Armed Conflict, a non-binding practical too that offers guidance to parties to the conflict to exercise restraint in using schools and universities for military purposes – Maldives is expected to do the same in order to better safeguard the civilian character of education facilities.

(Photo: People's Majilis)