UN Fact-Finding Mission Holds US Responsible for Attack on Wedding in Koohestak
WANA (Sep 15) – The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran said that, based on credible reports and information it has gathered, a US airstrike on a house in the city of Koohestak in Hormozgan Province on September 1, where a wedding celebration was reportedly taking place, killed five people, including two children and a woman, and injured dozens of others.
Sara Hossain, chair of the UN fact-finding mission, made the remarks following an examination of deadly US attacks in southern Iran, including the strike on a wedding ceremony in Kuhestak.
She said the attacks once again highlighted the devastating human cost of the conflict between the United States and Iran, stressing that civilians must be protected at all times and that all necessary precautions must be taken to shield civilians and civilian property from the effects of hostilities.
In its statement, the mission said: “Despite the United States’ insistence that its military forces do not target civilians, based on credible reports and information obtained by the Fact-Finding Mission, a US airstrike on a house in Koohestak, Hormozgan Province, on September 1, where a wedding celebration was reportedly taking place, killed five people, including two children and a woman, and injured dozens of others.”
The mission also referred to another airstrike on July 30, which reportedly destroyed a residential home in Qeshm, Hormozgan Province. According to the statement, a man, a woman and their two-year-old son were killed in the attack, while two other children in the family were injured.
The mission noted that both deadly attacks occurred in areas inhabited by minority communities. Koohestak is predominantly home to the Baluch community, while Qeshm is largely inhabited by a Sunni Muslim population.
Max du Plessis, a member of the fact-finding mission, said repeated airstrikes resulting in civilian casualties “raise serious questions,” including whether states have taken all necessary measures under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
He added that all parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Failure to comply with international law could give rise to international responsibility, including responsibility for war crimes.
Viviana Krsticevic, another member of the mission, said attacks against civilians should be subject to thorough investigations into the events, methods used and their consequences in order to prevent further casualties and ensure truth, justice and reparations for victims.
What Remains From the Attack on a Wedding Ceremony in Koohehstek?
WANA (Sep 08) – The remnants of munitions recovered from the site of a deadly attack on a wedding ceremony in Koohehstek, Hormozgan Province, have become a key focus of technical and legal investigations into the incident. On Tuesday night, September 1, a wedding ceremony was being held at a home in Koohehstek, a […]
The fact-finding mission also stressed the critical importance of “full and unhindered access for independent human rights monitors, journalists and researchers” to gather essential evidence and ensure accountability.
The mission called on UN member states to take immediate diplomatic action to end the military conflict, reduce tensions and resume credible and good-faith dialogue on peace, human rights, justice and equal participation in political and public affairs.
The statement also stressed that such dialogue should be inclusive and ensure the meaningful participation of women, children, young people and minorities in Iran. It called on all those with influence to act immediately to bring the conflict to an end and prevent further suffering among civilians.
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran was established by the UN Human Rights Council on November 24, 2022.
