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UNICEF: Egypt must protect children from harm
July 30, 2013, 7:35 pm

Egyptian society, NGOs and international organizations have raised concerns about pictures such as the one above showing children in martyrdom robes [AP]

NGOs and international organizations have raised concerns about pictures such as the one above showing children in martyrdom robes [AP]

UNICEF, the United Nation’s Children’s Fund, has called on Egyptian authorities and all parties in the ongoing street protests to protect children from harm, a day ahead of a global initiative launch calling for an end to all forms of violence against children.

UNICEF Representative in Egypt Philippe Duamelle said in a statement on Tuesday that the international organization is concerned about reports that children are deliberately being used in factional protests in Cairo and other cities.

“UNICEF is deeply concerned over reports that children have been killed or injured during the violent confrontation in Egypt over recent days,” Duamelle said.

The statement added that disturbing images of children taken during street protests indicate that on some occasions children have been deliberately used and put at risk as potential witnesses to or victims of violence. These pictures, sometimes showing boys and girls as young as six dressed in martyrdom shrouds, have been widely distributed through social media and online news portals.

Duamelle said: “We call on all Egyptians and political groups not to exploit children for political ends and to protect them from any potential harm.”

On July 31, UNICEF will kick off a global initiative calling for an end to all forms of violence against children, led by a powerful appeal featuring UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson. The End Violence Against Children campaign hopes to highlight the terror, violence and abuse children in conflict zones face.

Source: Agencies