Human Rights Council – 61st Session

Urgent debate on “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”

Statement by Norway and Iceland

27 March 2026

President,

On behalf of Iceland and Norway, we welcome this urgent debate.

The Middle East is on fire. Human suffering is severe and immediate. Beyond the region it has growing and profound consequences on global stability and energy and food security.

We are deeply alarmed by the human rights and humanitarian crisis caused by the warfare, with civilians displaced, injured and killed across the region.

On the first day of the war, more than 170 children were deplorably killed when a girls’ school in Minab was hit. 

Since then, several schools, hospitals, energy infrastructure and other civilian objects have also been hit, increasing risk to all civilians. This is unacceptable. We call on all parties to respect IHL, and to use the tools of the Safe Schools Declaration to protect children and education.

Neither the US’ and Israeli strikes against Iran, nor the Iranian attacks on countries in the region not involved in those strikes, are in accordance with international law. The human rights situation in Iran, especially with regards to women and girls, is intolerable. Once again, we call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to respect all human rights for all.

President, we call on the parties to end the war, and to find diplomatic solutions to unlock the current stalemate in the region.

Thank you.