UN experts slams Israel for bombing civilian sites in Iran, call on to avoid harm to prisoners
United Nations investigators warned Monday of the "extensive suffering" Israeli attacks are causing in Iran, voicing particular concern at the risk facing detainees held near sites being bombed.
They called on Israel to avoid hitting non-military targets and on Iran to move prisoners to safety.
On the 11th day of the escalating war between Israel and Iran, the UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, along with the UN's special rapporteur on the rights situation in the country, called on all sides to "respect international law and protect civilians".
In a joint statement, they decried what appeared to be Israel's strikes on non-military targets.
"Some attacks -- including the targeting of the headquarters of Iran's state broadcasting agency ... and the targeted killing of scientists - appear to have been carried out in violation of the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law," they said.
The independent experts, who are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, in particular voiced concern about the situation of detainees in Iran "held in prisons near sites of bombings".
They urged "Iranian authorities to relocate prisoners away from locations at risk from the airstrikes".
The call came after Israel earlier Monday hit Tehran's notorious Evin jail, known to hold political prisoners, including a number of foreigners.
Since it began launching large-scale attacks on Iran on June 13, Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 people in the country, Iran's health ministry has said.
Iran's retaliation on Israel have killed 24 people, according to official figures.
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Egypt Today
an hour ago
- Egypt Today
Egypt condemns Iranian attacks on Qatar
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Egypt Today
an hour ago
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Wrap-up- Iran strikes US air base in Qatar
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It added: 'We would like to remind you that US bases and mobile military targets in the region are not a strength, but rather a major weakness and a thorn in the side of the warmongering US regime. We once again warn the enemies of Islamic Iran that any repetition of this evil will accelerate the collapse of the US military establishment in the region, lead to the shameful flight of Americans from West Asia, and fulfill the shared aspiration of the Islamic Ummah [nation] and the free peoples of the world to eradicate the cancerous tumor of Zion.' Few minutes ahead of the Iranian strikes, Qatar temporarily suspended the air traffic of its country's Airspace to ensure safety of citizens, residents, and visitors. 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'We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law,' he said. He continued Qatar's air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles. A detailed statement regarding the circumstances of the attack will be issued later by the Ministry of Defense. 'We also emphasize that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region, dragging it into situations that could have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security,' he added, calling call for the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue. He continued that the base had been evacuated earlier, following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region. 'All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others. We confirm that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack,' he said. After the end of the strikes, the Qatari Ministry of Interior affirmed that the security situation in the country became stable and there is no cause for concern. Sirens sound in other Guld States Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced that the siren has been sounded, called for citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place. 'We urge all citizens and residents to exercise caution and review the following immediate precautions to be taken in the event of a loud explosion or the sounding of warning sirens,' the Ministry said in tweets on its X. 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'A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,' Trump said. Since the outbreak of the war between Iran and Israel on June 13, Egypt has exerted tremendous diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict in which hundreds of people were killed and thousands were injured. The war started when Israel, which has nuclear weapon and not a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), launched missile and drones towards Tehran and killed hundreds of nuclear scientists, military leaders and civilians to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Israeli missiles and drones have targeted several nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, Arak and Fordow, causing a minor level of radiation leakage in Natanz as it was reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Israel, which is totally backed by the US, seeks to be the only country in the region that has nuclear weapons. In retaliation, Iran fired hundreds hypersonic missiles and drones on Israel, causing severe damage to buildings besides the Weizmann Institute of Science, Haifa refinery, and the Gav-Yam Negev Advanced Technologies Park. 'Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!,' he added.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
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Egypt keeps airspace open as Gulf states resume flights after Iran missile strike - Urban & Transport
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