Maldives Condemns Iran School Attack, Calls for End to Impunity at UN

The Maldives has issued a strong condemnation of a deadly attack on a girls' school in Iran, labeling it a serious breach of international humanitarian and human rights law. The attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls’ School in Minab resulted in the deaths of 168 children. Speaking at an urgent debate of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN in Geneva, Dr. Salma Rasheed, expressed alarm over the escalating conflict in the Middle East following military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran. The Maldivian delegation stated that Israel, described as a serial violator of international law and a sponsor of state terrorism, is at the core of fueling the regional conflict and destruction. The Maldives highlighted a pattern of continued aggression that has plunged Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon into crisis. The government stressed the urgent need to end a longstanding culture of impunity that allows such grave breaches of international law to persist. In its statement, the Maldivian government called upon the international community to intensify efforts to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations. This was the second urgent debate at the Human Rights Council this week, with the Maldives participating in both to articulate its positions in line with its commitments under the UN Charter and other international treaties.