WANA (Mar 27) – The United Nations Human Rights Council, in an emergency session in Geneva, strongly condemned the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ primary school in Minab, which resulted in the deaths of at least 170 students and teachers, and called for immediate investigations and accountability for those responsible.

 

The session was convened at the request of the Islamic Republic of Iran, China, and Cuba to review and condemn U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on the school. Senior Iranian and international officials, including Iran’s Foreign Minister, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, and a mother of the victims, addressed the session.

 

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, speaking virtually, described the attack as one of the “most horrific consequences” of an ongoing “imposed war” by the United States and Israel, which began on February 28. He stated that more than 175 students and teachers were killed in the attack and described it as part of a broader pattern of systematic human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law.

 

Araghchi also highlighted the destruction or damage to over 600 schools and the deaths or injuries of more than 1,000 students and teachers in recent weeks, emphasizing that targeting civilian infrastructure—including hospitals and essential facilities—was deliberate.

 

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned the attack as a shocking example of the impact of war on children and civilians and called for rapid, independent, and transparent investigations. He urged the United States to publish the results of its investigations into the targeting of the Minab school promptly and called on all parties to halt hostilities and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

 

Farida Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, described the attack as a potential “war crime” and a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Referring to the use of Tomahawk missiles and the deaths of mostly children aged 7 to 12, she stressed that schools, as civilian spaces, enjoy special protection and any attack on them is strictly prohibited.

 

Mohaddese Fallahat, mother of two students killed in the attack, spoke emotionally at the session, describing the tragedy as symbolic of the suffering of all families who sent their children to school with trust. She called for the truth to be revealed, accountability for the perpetrators, and justice—not for revenge, but to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

 

Nearly 60 countries and 19 civil society representatives also spoke at the session, condemning the attack and urging swift, transparent, and independent investigations, as well as respect for humanitarian law during conflicts.

Girls’ School in Minab Hit in Israel–United States Airstrikes; Over 85 Students Killed. Social Media / WANA News Ageny

Girls’ School in Minab Hit in Israel–United States Airstrikes; Over 85 Students Killed. Social Media / WANA News Ageny

Key positions expressed by some countries included:

 

  • Switzerland: Deep concern over escalating attacks on educational infrastructure.
  • Kenya: Emphasis on restraint and diplomatic solutions.
  • Australia: Warning about depriving children of the right to education.
  • Ireland: Call for tension reduction and protection of civilian infrastructure.
  • Russia: Condemnation of the incident, attributing escalation to U.S. aggression.
  • Netherlands: Demand for immediate halt to attacks and emphasis on school safety.

 

The UN Human Rights Council stressed the need for accountability and reparations, urging the international community to take urgent measures to protect schools and civilians.