– I condemn the terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University in northwestern Pakistan Wednesday in the strongest possible terms, says Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. – Education is a fundamental human right, and this attack on an educational institution is also an attack on Pakistan’s future. It is essential that the Pakistani authorities find the perpetrators and bring them to justice, Brende says.
This serious attack took place in the morning local time, at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, north of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. There are reports of many injuries and deaths.
‘All schoolchildren and students should be able to feel safe on their way to and inside their schools and universities. This is a fundamental premise of Norway’s global education effort and of the Safe Schools Declaration that 51 countries have endorsed,’ said Mr Brende.
The protection of schools and universities is a key element of Norway’s education effort and of its humanitarian work. Norway played a leading role in promoting the Safe Schools Declaration, which endorses the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict.
(NRK/Press release)
http://www.norwaypost.no/index.php/news/latest-news/31058
