Source BBC
The United Nations’ top human rights official has called on the United States to urgently conclude its investigation into a deadly airstrike on a school in Iran, raising concerns over accountability and justice for the victims.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, made the appeal during a Human Rights Council session, stressing the need for a prompt, transparent, and impartial probe into the incident. The strike, which targeted a school in southern Iran, reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 150 people, many of them children and teachers.
Türk emphasized that delays in completing the investigation risk undermining confidence in international humanitarian law and accountability mechanisms. He urged that those responsible must be identified and that victims’ families deserve answers and redress.
The attack occurred in the early days of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. While initial findings from US sources have suggested that American forces may have been responsible, officials have not yet reached a final conclusion.
Iran has strongly condemned the strike, calling it a “criminal act” and demanding international accountability. Several countries, including China, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, have also expressed concern over the incident, though some noted broader human rights issues in the region.
The United States has maintained that it does not deliberately target civilian infrastructure such as schools and has pledged to complete its investigation. However, the delay has drawn criticism from rights groups and international observers, who warn that justice must not be prolonged.
Meanwhile, Israel has launched a separate inquiry into the incident, as global scrutiny intensifies over civilian casualties in the escalating conflict.
The UN continues to call for restraint from all sides and has reiterated the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law, particularly in protecting civilians during armed conflict.
