Press release dated Wednesday April 3, 2024
Sent to AlterPresse
UNESCO strongly condemns the acts of vandalism recorded at the National School of Arts (ENARTS), the arson of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) and other educational and cultural institutions in Haiti
(Extract)
UNESCO strongly condemns the acts of vandalism recorded at the National School of Arts (ENARTS) and the arson of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) and in other educational and cultural institutions in Haiti…
UNESCO would like to recall that the National School of Arts (ENARTS) is an artistic education center which works for the development of artists and the influence of Haitian art throughout the world, while providing training for classic and artistic basis of quality. In addition to being one of the pillars of the education system by its vocation, the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), for its part, is the oldest teacher training institution in the country.
Gang violence has also affected the Faculties of Science (FDS), Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine of the State University of Haiti (UEH) and several public and private educational institutions. Some have been vandalized, looted and invaded by ill-intentioned armed bandits, with hostage-taking and violence against students and pupils.
These acts of vandalism, looting and arson against the country’s educational institutions have devastating consequences on the future of Haitian society, particularly for present and future generations. These attacks on the country’s educational institutions must stop. They cannot be tolerated in any way.
UNESCO would like to remind all parties that education is a fundamental human right whose aim is to lift men and women out of poverty, reduce inequalities and ensure sustainable development of society. This inalienable right is enshrined in the Haitian constitution, various international conventions ratified by Haiti, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (in its article 26): the Convention on the Rights of the Child (article 29), the Covenant international law relating to civil and political rights, (article 18): the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions ratified by Haiti in 2010 and which represents the legal system implemented by UNESCO in favor of of creative diversity and intended to foster a global environment where the creativity of individuals and peoples is protected in its rich diversity: the declaration on safe schools signed by more than 111 countries, including Haiti. The right to education is also among the fundamental rights of all Haitians recognized by the Constitution of the Republic of Haiti of 1987 as amended. (section 32).
Photo: Archives / Fire at the Faculty of Agronomy
