Overview
Scholars at Risk organisation recorded
around 391 attacks on higher education communities in 65 countries. This
included the countries linked to the Russia - Ukraine war, the takeover of
Afghanistan by the Taliban and the repercussions of the military coup in
Myanmar.
Students who went to study abroad were
forced to flee both Ukraine and Russia while the war between the two countries
unfolded. It caused severe damage to research institutes and schools in
Ukraine.
Higher education was under attack in
countries which are free of armed conflict. Universities in Nigeria and
Pakistan were subjected to violence by militant groups.
What is the Situation?
The safety of International students is constantly under threat due to
conflicts. Recently, Scholars at Risk tracked around 391 cases of attacks on
higher education communities in 65 countries around the globe. International
students' safety is at stake due to such conflicts.
International
students studying abroad in countries like Russia, Ukraine or countries affected
by armed forces are constantly targeted. The Russia - Ukraine war forced many
international students to flee from their schools and universities to save
their lives. Assaults on international
students are frequent. Safety for international
students is a big factor before going to study abroad. But conflicts constantly
terrorised education.
Education during the war is an
intentional or indiscriminate threat. One example is police in Sri Lanka firing
tear gas on students protesting peacefully during anti-government
demonstrations. Another one is Israeli soldiers carrying out violent campus
raids appearing to target student events in the West Bank. The US is also pervasive
with threats to threat on education in conflict zones. Many Historically Black
Colleges and Universities were targeted with multiple bomb threats. The effect
of conflict on education is growing to the extent that in some countries, state
authorities attempted to restrict scholars' academic activities like that in
Iran. In Iran, police arrested sociologist Saeed Madani, who researches topics
like drugs and sex work. Students continue to face violence and state
repression during the ongoing anti-government protests sparked by the death of
a 22-year-old Iranian woman.
In addition to using schools for
military purposes, these attacks have resulted in child recruitment and use, as
well as murders, enforced disappearances, kidnappings, forced exile, imprisonment,
torture, and physical and mental harm. Landmines have also been planted near
schools. Government or opposition forces may utilise schools and universities
as bases, barracks, observation posts, storage facilities for weapons,
detention and questioning facilities, or for military training and recruiting
young people into their ranks during armed conflict. Nowadays, the bulk of wars
around the world involves the use of schools by opposing sides. The presence of
troops and weapons in schools can incite an attack by hostile forces, putting
pupils and teachers in danger of harm or even death.
Read More-: Safeguarding
International Students against Global Conflicts
0 Comments