UN experts urge Iran and Israel to protect detainees amid airstrikes, condemn attacks on non-military targets

Geneva: United Nations experts on Monday expressed deep concern over the humanitarian toll of Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on Iran, particularly warning of the risk posed to detainees held near targeted sites, including prisons.

They called on both Iran and Israel to act within the framework of international law and take urgent measures to protect civilians.

In a joint statement, the UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran and the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran condemned what they described as “extensive suffering” caused by Israel’s attacks, and cited serious concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law.

“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,” the experts said, referring to legal norms that prohibit attacks on civilian objects and non-combatants.

The statement follows reports that Israel struck Tehran’s Evin Prison on Monday – a notorious facility that houses political prisoners, including dual nationals and foreign detainees. This has raised alarms over the safety of inmates, many of whom are considered to be at high risk in the event of further strikes.

The UN experts do not represent the United Nations as a whole but are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on specific rights concerns. They urged Iranian authorities to immediately move detainees away from areas that could be targeted, saying, “Iranian authorities must relocate prisoners away from locations at risk from the airstrikes.”

The war between Israel and Iran, now in its 11th day, was sparked after Israeli forces launched large-scale strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure on June 13. Since then, according to Iran’s health ministry, over 400 people have been killed in the country due to Israeli strikes. In retaliation, Iranian missile and drone attacks on Israel have resulted in 24 deaths, according to official Israeli figures.

The UN statement reiterated a call for restraint and adherence to international law, urging all parties involved to avoid non-military targets and safeguard human life amid escalating hostilities.
(With AFP inputs)