Doha: Qatari newspaper Al-Raya highlighted on Saturday the State of Qatar's humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to safeguard the rights of children affected by armed conflicts, underscoring its continued commitment to advancing international initiatives aimed at protecting children and ensuring their access to education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance.
According to Qatar News Agency, in an editorial titled "Protecting Children in Conflict Zones," the newspaper drew attention to the alarming rise in violations against children in areas of armed conflict, stressing that safeguarding children is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a legal and moral responsibility shared by the international community.
It emphasized that protecting children in armed conflicts is no longer a political choice but a humanitarian obligation that serves as a true measure of the world's commitment to justice, human dignity, and international law.
Al-Raya affirmed that Qatar will remain at the forefront of countries supporting international efforts to end violations against children and guarantee their rights to education, protection, and care, based on its conviction that building a safer and more stable future begins with protecting children and preserving their fundamental rights.
The editorial noted that children continue to bear the heaviest burden of wars and armed conflicts, remaining the most vulnerable victims amid escalating violence and expanding humanitarian crises.
It cited the UN Secretary-General's report on children and armed conflict, which documented unprecedented levels of grave violations against children, describing the findings as a stark reflection of the immense challenges confronting the international community in protecting children's rights and securing their future.
The editorial also highlighted attacks on schools and hospitals, as well as the denial of education, healthcare, and protection to millions of children, stressing the urgent need for stronger international action to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and hold perpetrators of such violations accountable.
It further highlighted the Israeli occupation's attacks on the education sector in the Palestinian territories, noting that since the beginning of the Israeli aggression, more than 19,000 students have been killed and 29,000 injured. It added that more than 170 government schools in Gaza and 65 university buildings have been destroyed, while 120 government schools and 93 UNRWA schools have been bombed and vandalized.
In this context, the editorial affirmed that the State of Qatar continues to play a leading humanitarian and diplomatic role in defending the rights of children affected by armed conflict, guided by its firm belief that protecting children is a legal and humanitarian obligation incumbent upon the entire international community.
It noted that this commitment is reflected in Qatar's consistent calls for the protection of Palestinian children from ongoing violations and its continued support for UN efforts to monitor abuses and strengthen international protection mechanisms.
The editorial also highlighted the statement by HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, affirming that promoting and protecting children's right to education, particularly in conflict-affected countries, remains among Qatar's highest priorities.
It further underscored the pioneering role of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation, in advancing and protecting quality education worldwide, emphasizing the profound and lasting impact the Foundation's initiatives have had on the lives of millions of children across the globe.