Iran: IPNEd urges protection of students, education personnel, and facilities

IPNEd is deeply alarmed by the impact of the military escalation in the Middle East on educational institutions, students, and education personnel. 

Initial reports indicate that an attack on a girls' primary school in Minab, southern Iran, has resulted in the deaths of more than 100 individuals, including numerous students. The killing of pupils in a place dedicated to learning constitutes a grave violation of the protection afforded to schools under international humanitarian law. 

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai said in a statement: “They were girls who went to school to learn, with hopes and dreams for their future. Today, their lives were brutally cut short.

“Justice and accountability must follow. All states and parties must uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools.”

Attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education. In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021), IPNEd recalls the obligations of all parties to protect schools, students and education personnel.

“Every possible effort must now be taken to prevent further escalation of this conflict. We urgently call on all parties involved in the violence in Iran and across the region to immediately de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under international law,” said IPNEd executive director, Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly.

“Civilians – especially children – and civilian infrastructure, including education facilities,  must be protected at all times.”