The United Nations Special Rapporteurs (UNSRs) has issued a statement denouncing the deliberate poisoning of more than 1200 schoolgirls in Iran’s major cities.
The UNSRs have expressed their outrage at the targeted chemical attacks against girls’ schools, which have been reported in 91 schools across 20 provinces since November 2022. The UNSRs are calling for immediate investigations into the attacks and have expressed grave concern about the Iranian government’s failure to protect these schoolgirls, prevent further attacks, and conduct swift investigations. The experts are deeply concerned about the physical and mental well-being of the schoolgirls, their parents, and their ability to enjoy their fundamental right to education.
The UNSRs have criticized the Iranian government for repeatedly denying the attacks until recently, despite the attacks resulting in hundreds of schoolgirls being hospitalized. The experts are also disturbed by the arrest of a journalist who was covering the attacks in Qom and the violent treatment of a mother who was demanding information about the attacks.
According to the UNSRs, the attacks may be orchestrated to punish girls for their involvement in the Women, Life, Freedom movement and for expressing their opposition to mandatory hijab and demands for equality.
The experts fear that the attacks are further evidence of a pattern by Iranian authorities to silence those who try to report or demand accountability for human rights violations. The UNSRs are calling for the immediate release of dozens of women human rights defenders, women, and girls who participated in protests following Mahsa Amini’s death. The experts have expressed concern about the systematic discrimination and violence against women and girls in Iran and are calling for action to ensure their protection and fundamental rights.
The UNSRs have also noted the disturbing trend of Iranian authorities punishing those who speak out against human rights abuses. The experts highlighted the case of two female journalists who reported on Mahsa Amini’s death and have been imprisoned. Amini’s family has also been subjected to reprisals and threats. The UNSRs are calling on the Iranian government to release these journalists and ensure that journalists and human rights defenders are not punished for their work.
The international community must stand with the UNSRs in condemning these attacks and pressuring the Iranian government to take immediate action to address the violence and discrimination against women and girls.
The experts have called on the Iranian government to protect the human rights of all women and girls in the country, regardless of their beliefs or actions. They are urging the government to take concrete steps to address the violence and discrimination against women and girls and to ensure that perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice. The UNSRs’ statement underscores the urgent need for action to protect the human rights of women and girls in Iran.
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