UNICEF calls on all parties to ensure children are kept away from protest sites

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BANGKOK, 25 February 2014 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday called on all parties to refrain from bringing children into protest areas, in order to prevent any more child injuries or deaths.

Phichai Ratchaphanthari, UNICEF’s representative to Thailand, yesterday issued an announcement calling for all parties to avoid bringing children into demonstration areas, in order to prevent them from being harmed in violent incidents. The UNICEF called on the government, protest leaders, supporters of the two camps and parents to ensure that children do not stray near protest sites. The agency also proposed that rally sites should be ‘child-free’. It also called on authorities to find the perpetrators of the heinous crime and bring them to justice.

At least 3 children have been killed in the recent spate of violent incidents occurring at or near protest sites, and two others have been severely injured.