A teachers' union reacted to the 'instrumental use' of school children in a government ceremony where symbolic coffins were placed on their shoulders, condemning the 'clear violation of children's rights' and emphasizing the necessity of 'removing the ideological structure from the educational system' in Iran. During the second congress of 'Martyrs of the Divers' held on Wednesday, January 10, in Kish Island, the government-affiliated Fars news agency published images of school children, including girls, some of whom were dressed in military uniforms and carrying symbolic coffins. The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions issued a statement on Thursday, January 11, in response to the instrumental use of children for ideological purposes by the Islamic Republic, stressing that 'removing the ideological structure from the educational system has been one of the main demands of trade union activists.' The council pointed to images of children 'forced to carry symbolic coffins,' stating: 'When children are used as tools to achieve political, social, or other goals, it is a clear violation of children's rights and interests.' This teachers' union condemned the 'instrumental use of children' and called on the parents of students and teachers to 'prevent the continuation of this unfortunate trend of the regime through their opposition.' The use of children in political propaganda in Iran under the Islamic Republic has a long history. For instance, statistics from the Kerman Education Department indicate that one-fourth of the casualties from the Kerman explosions were students. In this regard, the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions stated that they have become victims of the educational propaganda policies. Additionally, journalist Samaneh Ghaharkhan previously mentioned in an interview with the Persian section of Voice of America another case of ideological instrumentalization of children by the Islamic Republic, referring to the repeated exploitation of school children in making promotional films for the government anthem 'Hello Commander' and describing it as 'brainwashing.' Bill Van Esveld, a children's rights official at Human Rights Watch, has also stated to Voice of America that what has happened to children in Iran is horrifying.
Coffins on Students' Shoulders at Government Ceremony; Teachers' Union: Clear Violation of Children's Rights
A teachers' union condemned the use of school children in a government ceremony where they carried symbolic coffins, calling it a violation of children's rights. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the instrumentalization of children for ideological purposes in Iran's education system. The union demands the removal of ideological structures from education to protect children's rights.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
During a government ceremony on Kish Island, school children were used to carry symbolic coffins, prompting condemnation from a teachers' union for violating children's rights. The union emphasized the need to remove ideological influences from the educational system.
- Children were dressed in military uniforms and used for political propaganda.
- The teachers' union has a history of advocating against the ideological use of children in education.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
In Iran, the government has a history of using children in ideological campaigns, which raises serious concerns about their rights and welfare. This incident is part of a broader pattern of state control over education.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%