Myanmar

January: PEIC published op ed in the Myanmar Times.

February 2017: GCPEA issued a letter to the PM calling for endorsement and highlighting op ed. GCPEA issued letters to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Defense Minister of Myanmar, calling for endorsement, and drawing attention to the op ed published by PEIC in January.

March 2019: attended GCPEA side-event on “Better Protecting Women and Girls from Attacks on Education” in Geneva.

August 2019: GCPEA provided input to a letter drafted by Save the Children, UNICEF, and the EiE Working Group addressed to the Minister of Education, in which they express concern regarding the increasing reports of government schools being used by armed groups across the country, and encourage the Ministry to advocate for endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration.

September 2019: the Government of Myanmar ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC).

December 2019: UNICEF reports that a student was killed on the road in front of his school in Rakhine State where intensified fighting between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army results in killings and injuries of children. Following this incident, UNICEF made a statement calling on all parties to conflict to ensure the full respect of the civilian character of schools, and to prevent any interference of armed actors with education infrastructures, personnel and students. UNICEF further calls on the Government of Myanmar to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration and to incorporate the Guidelines into domestic policy and operational frameworks.

December 2019: Summary of key points from previous meeting on the Safe Schools Declaration on 6 December 2019
Key points from the meeting: The commitments in the Safe Schools Declaration are already made in the Child Rights Law, as well as within the National Ceasefire Agreement. Partners highlighted that The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) is a key resource for countries considering the endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration. Within the region, Vietnam has recently endorsed the Declaration in 2019, and 101 countries have endorsed in total. The Minister stated that the Safe Schools Declaration has been discussed in Parliament, and some MPs have expressed their support for the Declaration. The Minister requested for technical assistance from partners in understanding the steps and procedures taken by other countries to endorse and implement the Declaration. The Minister emphasized the importance of following the rules and regulations and procedures, which would require training, and building awareness and capacity. The Minister recommended a number of key ministries which are important to the Declaration’s endorsement and implementation, including: Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Union Government Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following the meeting, partners have undertaken a stakeholder mapping, prepared case studies in both English and Burmese language on the endorsement of the Declaration in three countries (Afghanistan, Ukraine, Vietnam), and prepared the initial concept note for the inter-ministerial meeting. During the last meeting on 6 December 2019, the Minister for Education stated that the Safe Schools Declaration has been discussed in parliament, with a number of MPs expressing their support for the Declaration. The Minister also requested for technical assistance from partners in the key steps necessary to endorse and implement the Declaration. The Minister stated that more training and capacity building would be required, not just within the Ministry of Education, but other key ministries including the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Union Government Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the latest EU policy dialogue held with MOE, the Minister announced that MOE was preparing to table the SSD in parliament for endorsement.

January 2020: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba, conducted a mission to Myanmar where she engaged with national authorities and civil society on how to end and prevent violations against children. She also recommended that the government consider signing the Safe Schools Declaration.

January 2020: SRSG Gamba had meetings with both civil and military Ministries, including Tatmadaw. She encouraged the Myanmar Government to sign the Safe Schools Declaration, and this was constructively received. She had reported that the Tatmadaw had been more receptive and open to her suggestions than previously. Tatmadaw has now accepted an age screening of their soldiers for the first time which is a very positive development. She had a strong focus on landmines throughout all her speeches, and also on the closure of the IDP camps and a strategy for this. She expressed that in general she was more positive to how the Government had responded to her concerns this time.

February 2020: The Myanmar Army representative at the Parliament oppose the Rakhine Parliamentarian’s call for the stoppage of Military use of schools in ongoing Rakhine Civil War.

February 2020: Save the Children and UNICEF issued a statement following reports of at least 19 children injured when their school was hit by mortar fire in Buthidaung township, northern Rakhine state on 13 February 2020. The local media also picked up on the story. UNICEF also issued a Statement.

March 2020: On Myanmar HRC resolution, GCPEA provided language on attacks on education in PP15 and a new OP as follows:
28 bis. Calls upon the Government of Myanmar to continue to make efforts to strengthen the protection of preschools, schools and universities against attacks, including by taking measures to deter the military use of schools in violation of applicable international law, recognizes the negative impact that such attacks have on the progressive realization of the right to education, and encourages efforts to provide an inclusive, enabling and secure environment to ensure the safety of schools.” (HRC 37/20, para. 22.). Unfortunately, the text of the tabled version remained largely unchanged. However, the “the use of facilities, functioning as schools, for military purposes” on a positive note has been retained. Action on UNHRC resolution will take place once the Session resumes at a date to be confirmed.

April 2020: The SRSG, Ms. Virginia Gamba, calls on all parties to conflict in Myanmar to urgently implement all necessary measures to protect children from hostilities, as recent numbers show a deeply concerning increase in child casualties in the first months of 2020. The Special Representative called on all parties to protect the civilian character of schools and hospitals and to prioritize them as safe places for learning and urges the Government of Myanmar to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration.

June 2020: GCPEA had a call with Save, UNICEF, UNESCO, Cluster. There is an action plan to reengage the Minister of Education such as through a Joint technical briefing to provide information to the Government on the Safe Schools Declaration. A Stakeholder mapping was completed with child protection colleagues, and there has also been engagement with NSA. GCPEA provided an update on advocacy in the region, including with Malaysia, Vietnam, Bangladesh. Vietnam was identified as a regional example to look at (UNICEF engaged) Ukraine is also a positiven example in terms of approach and process. Following the strategy meeting, communication was received that the MOE is preparing to table SSD in parliament for adoption. Support will be provided to an inter-ministerial meeting. It is proposed that the meeting take place with UNESCO, Save and UNICEF early in the week of 13 July ahead of the tabling to parliament. UNESCO offered to arrange the meeting. GCPEA to provide an expert to participate. UNESCO is preparing inputs to the UN SG’s report on Human Rights in Myanmar. The period for reporting is August 2019-August 2020. UNESCO asked if the EIE sector or other partners have a relatively comprehensive list of attacks on schools during this period? We would like to include this with the call for SSD endorsement. Possible steps recommended by GCPEA (also drawing from the Ukraine example): ICRC legal briefing (request must come from government), training for the ministry of defense and dissemination of The Guidelines, securing buy-in from all the relevant ministries. GCPEA continue advocating at the global level (multilateral missions, HRC,UNGA, UNSC, SRSG) and support Myanmar colleagues (strengthen messaging through a letter to the ministry in the near future), and share more information on the state-led implementation network. GCPEA to share Vietnam, Malaysia, and Ukraine examples and other materials for use during the inter-ministerial briefing. The minister of education requested regional examples

July 2020: GCPEA members are meeting with the MoE to get an update from the Ministry on the steps taken regarding the Declaration. In addition, UNESCO will clarify if the Ministry of Education is planning to table the Declaration in parliament for adoption. They will also share the brief prepared by Save the Children with examples from other countries (Afghanistan, Ukraine, Vietnam) regarding the process they followed to endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration. Ahead of the meeting, a concept note for the inter-ministerial technical meeting prepared by Save the Children has been shared with the Minister. The concept note outlines the objectives and proposed agenda of the inter-ministerial meeting, as well as a suggested list of invited Government Institutions, guests and experts, and follow-up activities and documents. A list of further information and resources for the Safe Schools Declaration is also presented in the concept note. The objective under this agenda item: is to discuss the next steps for an inter-ministerial technical meeting to involve other ministries and parliamentarians in the discussion for the endorsement and implementation of the Declaration. The purpose of the proposed inter-ministerial meeting might shift depending on information received from the Minister regarding the endorsement of the SSD. If this process is well under way, the inter-ministerial meeting may focus more on implementation. Partners feel that it would be good to move ahead with the inter-ministerial meeting and prior to elections, given the current administrations positive response thus far to SSD endorsement.

August 2020: The Coalition and GCPEA Secretariat met virtually. The following issues were discussed: One page letter for MoE (as per request from Dr. Zaw Myint). Okke will share a first draft that others can feed into. This letter should include the following:
Background on SSD. Informing and updating on process till date and importance of SSD. Highlight importance of involvement of other ministries to secure their buy in. Mention committee six grave violations and the involvement of other Ministries there
Mention plans for an Inter-ministerial briefing and invitation. Lay out endorsement procedure (letter to Norway MFA)
Refer to the need for implementation (via a task force?)include Reference to the new child rights law and the nationwide ceasefire agreement. Interministerial briefing – In the current context, a virtual meeting is most likely and practical. After the elections is probably the best option (TBC). GCPEA colleagues will reach out to SSD experts that could play a role in this briefing. In case we do not hear from the MoE soon, we can proactively offer the expert’s services.- Engagement with diplomatic missions:
GCPEA colleagues suggested to use the first international days for the protection of education under attack (Sept 9th ) as an opportunity to approach key diplomatic missions. We can invite the missions for a virtual round table on the subject Education Under Attack/SSD Myanmar to discuss the specific challenges and generate further support and ownership from Missions. The Myanmar chapter of the 2020 Education Under Attack report can serve as a basis for this discussion, alongside SSD-related documentation. We may want to involve the CTFMR members. Manager, Anders and Okke will take this forward in the next period. Suggestion to issue a PR/Statement in Myanmar to mark the first international days for the protection of education under attack (Sept 9th ). To be followed up by partners.

August 2020: GCPEA joined a call with Myanmar coalition members on 27 August to discuss the next steps following the meeting with the ministry of education. The meeting discussed: A one page letter for MoE, An inter – ministerial briefing, Engagement with diplomatic missions. GCPEA suggested to use the first international days for the protection of education under attack pt 9th ) as an opportunity to approach key diplomatic missions. Missions will be invited for a virtual round table on the subject Education Under Attack/SSD Myanmar to discuss the specific challenges and generate further support and ownership from Missions. The Myanmar chapter of the 2020 Education Under Attack report can serve as a basis for this discussion, alongside SSD-related documentation. Following the meeting, it was decided that the advocacy on endorsement with Missions, will be included in the next CTFMR meeting on 7 October. GCPEA will present and provide support. The roundtable/briefing will be the next step as a standalone engagement. GCPEA also shared the findings on Myanmar with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Myanmar. Recently. GCPEA requested that the Special Rapporteur raise this issue and make a recommendation to the government of Myanmar to endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration to better protect education, including by taking immediate steps to account for the specific needs and experiences of women and girls in the process of implementation. A meeting with the Special Rapporteur was also scheduled in September.

September 2020: GCPEA joined a call with Myanmar coalition members on 27 August to discuss the next steps following the meeting with the ministry of education. The meeting discussed engagement with diplomatic missions. GCPEA suggested to use the first international day as an opportunity to approach key diplomatic missions. Missions will be invited for a virtual round table on the Safe Schools Declaration to discuss advocacy for endorsement by Myanmar and generate further support from Missions. Furthermore, GCPEA participated in a briefing for diplomats hosed by the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) in Myanmar. GCPEA made a comment emphasizing that peer advocacy on endorsement by diplomatic missions was critical. During a call with the Special Rapporteur, GCPEA recommended that the Special Rapporteur urge Myanmar to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration and incorporate the Guidelines, into domestic policy and operational frameworks. The Special Rapporteur was also informed about the important advocacy work at the national level on Myanmar’s endorsement.

Oct 2020: GCPEA participated in a CTFMR meeting on the situation of CAAC in Myanmar. GCPEA provided inputs to the Save the Children presentation on the Safe Schools Declaration and provided comments from the floor. GCPEA presented during a diplomatic briefing on the Safe Schools Declaration convened by the Mission of Norway in Myanmar.

July 2022: At the UNSC CAAC debate :- Attacks on schools have a disruptive effect on children and society as a whole