On the occasion of the devastating Turkish attack on an education centre for girls in Rojava on 18 August 2022, the German Education and Science Union (GEW) appeals in an Open Letter to Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, to stand up for peace and the right to education in Rojava. Five were killed and ten injured by a Turkish drone in the attack on girls playing volleyball at the UN-sponsored education centre near Hesekê.

"We condemn attacks by NATO member Turkey in the strongest possible terms"

In the letter, GEW Chairperson Maike Finnern criticises that "the ongoing bombardments are destabilising the region and are having a devastating impact on education. The shelling of educational institutions prevents students and teachers from learning and working in a healthy and safe environment. There is already a shortage of school buildings and educational materials in most bombed areas. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attacks by NATO member Turkey, which are contrary to international law.”

"International recognition of Rojava's education system"

The GEW agrees with its counterpart in Rojava, the teachers' union Yekitîya Mamostêyen, which is working to build a democratic education system in Rojava. Finnern passed on the Yekitîya Mamostêyen's wish to "support the education system in the region of northern and eastern Syria" and to facilitate the international recognition of educational qualifications to the responsible politicians in Germany.