The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has strongly condemned the recent bombing of a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, during the United States and Israeli military strikes on Saturday.
The attack reportedly killed around 150 people, including many students, and left nearly 100 others injured.
In a statement shared on social media, UNESCO described the attack as “a grave violation of international humanitarian law”, emphasizing that schools are protected spaces where children and teachers should be safe.
The organization highlighted that assaults on educational institutions endanger lives and violate the fundamental right to education.
UNESCO joined other UN bodies and senior officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres, in condemning both the airstrikes and Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Malala Yousafzai, the United Nations Messenger of Peace and Nobel Peace laureate, expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the tragedy. In a social media post, she said, “The killing of civilians, especially children, is unconscionable, and I condemn it unequivocally.”
Malala called for an immediate end to the escalation of violence and stressed the need for justice and accountability.
“All states and parties must uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools,” she wrote.
“Every child deserves to live and learn in peace.”
Malala rose to international prominence as an advocate for girls’ education after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012 for opposing restrictions on female education in her home country of Pakistan.
