Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict
The Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use of Schools and Universities were finalized in 2014 and annexed to the Safe Schools Declaration adopted at an international conference in 2015. The Guidelines urge parties to armed conflict (both state armed forces and non-state armed groups) not to use schools and universities for any purpose in support of the military effort. The aim is to protect against the risk of armed forces and groups converting schools and universities into military objectives by way of military use and exposing them to the potentially devastating consequences of attack. While it is acknowledged that certain uses would not be contrary to the law of armed conflict, all parties should endeavor to avoid impinging on students’ safety and education, using the Guidelines as a guide to responsible practice.
