The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has strongly condemned the bombing of Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed at least 168 people, including pupils, teachers, school staff, and their relatives.
Speaking on Friday, March 27th 2026, during an urgent session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk called for a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation into the attack, describing it as part of a deeply troubling pattern of violence against civilians.
“The images of bombed-out classrooms and grieving parents clearly show who bears the highest cost of war which are the civilians who have no say in the decisions that lead to conflict,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said.
Türk made these remarks during a debate focused on the protection of children and educational institutions in armed conflict, emphasizing that schools must never become targets.
“Whatever differences countries have, we can all agree they will not be solved by killing schoolchildren,” he added.
The High Commissioner warned that attacks on schools are rising globally, noting a 44% increase in 2024 alone, which has forced an estimated 52 million children out of classrooms.
He urged governments and armed actors to take immediate steps to safeguard education facilities and uphold international humanitarian law.
Beyond the school attack, Türk described the broader military escalation in the Middle East as a strategic failure that continues to devastate civilian populations.
He pointed to strikes by the United States and Israel on densely populated areas and civilian infrastructure in Iran as part of the growing crisis.
The UN Human Rights Commissioner also raised alarm over increasing repression within Iran, citing arrests, internet shutdowns, and the criminalization of dissent as key human rights concerns.
“It is imperative that all parties immediately halt the escalation. I call on the United States and Israel to end their attacks on Iran, and on Iran to cease attacks against its neighbors while respecting and protecting the human rights of its own people,” he stated.
Türk concluded by urging all sides to return to negotiations, emphasizing that dialogue remains the only viable path toward sustainable peace.
