Iran's Human Rights Headquarters condemns Israeli attack on Lebanon hospital, demands UN and ICRC action
Tehran - BORNA - In a statement, the Human Rights Headquarters called on the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other relevant international bodies to respond explicitly to the attack, conduct an independent and impartial investigation, document the violations and pursue the responsibility of those behind them in accordance with international law.
The full text of the statement:
"The Human Rights Headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the action of Israeli regime forces in setting fire to and destroying the 'Mays al-Jabal' government hospital in southern Lebanon, and considers it a flagrant violation of the fundamental rules of human rights and international humanitarian law.
Attacks on medical centers, medical personnel and patients constitute an assault on one of the most fundamental manifestations of protecting human dignity in situations of armed conflict. Under the rules of international humanitarian law, medical centers and units, medical personnel, the wounded and the sick enjoy special protection and must be respected and protected in all circumstances.
The destruction of a hospital is not merely the destruction of a building and public infrastructure; it is an action that can seriously endanger thousands of people's access to vital medical services and health care. Such actions, if the necessary conditions and elements are established, can entail the international responsibility of their perpetrators and those responsible.
The Human Rights Headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran also expresses concern over the silence and inadequate responses of some governments and international bodies to attacks on medical centers and vital infrastructure in Lebanon. The protection of civilians, patients, the wounded and medical staff must not be subject to political considerations or double standards. The rules of international humanitarian law must be implemented and guaranteed equally and without discrimination, regardless of the identity of the parties to the conflict.
Indifference to the destruction of medical centers and the deprivation of people's access to health and medical services raises serious questions about the credibility of international mechanisms for the protection of human rights and humanitarian law. The international community and responsible bodies cannot suffice with general expressions of concern in the face of such events, and must activate existing mechanisms for investigation, documentation and accountability.
The Human Rights Headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other relevant international bodies to take explicit action against the attack on medical centers in Lebanon and to conduct an independent and impartial investigation, document the violations and pursue the responsibility of the perpetrators in accordance with international law.
The right to access health and medical care and the protection of medical centers are essential requirements for protecting human dignity in conflict situations. Hospitals and medical staff must not be turned into a battlefield, and patients' lives must not be the cost of military actions.
The Human Rights Headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran once again emphasizes the need for an immediate halt to attacks on medical centers and vital infrastructure, ensuring safe and non-discriminatory access for people to health and medical services, effective protection of medical and relief staff, and guaranteeing accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, and calls on the international community to fulfill its legal and human responsibility regarding this situation."
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