Manama: Shaikha Mouza Bint Nasser Al Misnad, wife of Qatar’s emir and Unesco Special Envoy, called upon international agencies to help Palestinian children and youth in Gaza with their education.
"The right to an education is a human right. Today, schoolchildren and university students in Gaza and the West Bank are not able to fully exercise their right to an education,” Shaikha Mouza said. "As Special Envoy to Unesco for Basic and Higher Education, I call on all international agencies to focus their attention on lifting the blockade of Gaza to ensure the rights of Palestinian children and youth,” she said in a statement carried by Qatar News Agency (QNA).
Shaikha Mouza, an active international figure, said the lethal incident in which Israeli forces killed activists on a humanitarian mission in support of Palestinians should be used to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
"This most recent incident highlights the urgent need to break the blockade of Gaza that is devastating Palestinian society," she said. "The world community must insist that this blockade be lifted, that forthcoming ships headed to Gaza be allowed to land with no interference from the Israeli authorities, and that aid be distributed in a timely manner."
The illegal attack on Free Gaza Flotilla has deeply shocked the entire world and there has been relief that hundreds of humanitarian activists have eventually been released and are safely home now, she said.
“I would like to express my deep admiration to them for their bravery in trying to bring humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza. The Director of Al Fakhoora, Farooq Burney, is one of this group and we are fortunate to have him safely back home in Doha. At the same time, I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives of those courageous individuals who were tragically killed as they stood firm for the principles of human rights and dignity. I express my deepest condolences to their families and friends,” Shaikha Mouza said.
“At the same time we must not forget those activists who remain in prison in Israel. It is critical that all parties give support to the United Nations Secretary General’s call for an independent investigation and call on the UN Human Rights Council to issue a resolution condemning this attack,” she said.
Hundreds of Qataris and residents on Friday staged a mass rally to call for international action against Israel for raiding the Gaza-bound ships and killing activists.
