Schools and hospitals were designated by the U.N. Security Council Tuesday as safe havens for children threatened by war, AP reported. Led by visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, the council voted unanimously Tuesday to have the U.N. chief "name and shame" national security forces and other armed groups that target schools and hospitals in conflicts, often killing, maiming or violating children. The resolution spearheaded by Germany also called on all countries to take action to help stop the growing practice. "Because children are very often the first victims of violence and conflict, we must do what we can to protect them," Westerwelle said. The move comes as schools around the world are increasingly singled out by armed combatants, both as targets for violent attacks and as a recruiting ground for underaged fighters. -- SPA
