Security forces in Myanmar have reportedly occupied more than 60 schools and university campuses across the country, marking a further escalation of the crisis, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday. In at least one incident, security forces reportedly beat two teachers while entering the premises, and left several others injured, the agency said in a joint statement with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the NGO, Save the Children. "These incidents mark a further escalation of the current crisis and represent a serious violation of the rights of children. Schools must not be used by security forces under any circumstances", they stressed. The agencies warned that the occupation will exacerbate the learning crisis for almost 12 million children and youth in Myanmar, which was already under tremendous pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing widespread school closures. Vacate premises immediately They urged security forces to "vacate occupied premises immediately" and ensure that they are not used by military or security personnel. UNICEF, UNESCO and Save the Children also reminded the security forces of their obligations to uphold the rights of all children and youth in Myanmar to education as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Myanmar Child Rights Law, and the National Education Law. "(We) call on them to exercise maximum restraint and end all forms of occupation and interference with education facilities, personnel, students and other public institutions", they added. Worsening crackdown Protests across Myanmar have grown steadily since the Feb. 1 military takeover and arrests of several key leaders and elected officials, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. The crackdown on peaceful protesters has also intensified, with at least 121 people killed since last Friday. Hundreds more have been injured and over 2,400 people, including hundreds of children, have been detained since the coup began last month. Impact on humanitarian programs The ongoing crisis has also had an impact on relief programs for nearly a million people — identified at the beginning of the year as needing assistance. According to humanitarians in the country, aid operations have been disrupted by the military takeover and efforts to resume critical programs have been hampered by difficulties in communication, transportation, and supply chains, as well as shortages of cash for operations. In addition, recent clashes between security forces and an armed group in Kachin province, in northern Myanmar, reportedly displaced more than 50 people, prompting worries for vulnerable communities. In a separate incident of shelling, four people, including two children were also reportedly injured. Concerns for essential services There are also concerns that the ongoing crisis could disrupt COVID-19 and other essential services, including safe pregnancy and childbirth and have serious, even life-threatening implications, especially for the most disadvantaged communities. The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) also raised the alarm that the deteriorating situation in the country could hit services for people living with and affected by HIV. "Ensuring the safety and protection of health-care workers and outreach and community volunteers across the country is critical, as is ensuring continuity in the procurement and delivery of essential life-saving services", the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. "Of priority concern across the country is maintaining access to HIV services, including the supply and delivery of antiretroviral medicines and harm reduction services for people who inject drugs", it added. — UN news
