One month since the February 28 attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School in Minab, Iran, the government of Maldives has strongly condemned the attack which resulted in the death of 168 children.
The remarks were made at the "Protection of children and educational institutions in international armed conflicts: the aerial attacks on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School in Minab, Iran, as a grave breach of international humanitarian law and international human rights law" debate held today at the 49th meeting of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Speaking in the debate, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to UN in Geneva Dr Salma Rasheed stated that such acts constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. She voiced concern over the escalating Middle East conflict following military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran.
The Maldives said that Israel, already a serial violator of international law and a sponsor of state terrorism, is central to driving the current conflict, noting that its continued aggression has pushed GCC States, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon into crisis, a statement issued by the Foreign Minister said.
The Maldives also underscored the urgent need to end the longstanding impunity that has enabled such serious breaches of international law.
Maldives called on the international community to strengthen efforts to de-escalate the conflict, protect civilians, and ensure accountability.
The Foreign Ministry further noted that this is the second urgent debate scheduled at UNHRC this week, with the first held on March 25 to discuss the military aggression against Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan on February 28.
The Maldives joined both debates, and highlighted the Government's stance in line with its commitment to the UN Charter and other international treaties, the ministry said.
