-1.6 C
New York
Saturday, February 15, 2025

Buy now

Poisoning of School Girls in Iran

Since the end of November, several hundred cases of gas poisoning have been reported in over 52 schools across Iran.

The White House has stated that an investigation into the recent poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran may fall under the purview of the United Nations.

The cases were filed more than five months after the beginning of protests, which Tehran called riots, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code for women.

“If these poisonings are related to protest participation, then it is well within the mandate of the UN independent international fact-finding mission on Iran to investigate,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said, referring to the body established in November to investigate human rights violations in Iran.

During her daily press conference, she condemned the poisonings as “unconscionable” and demanded a credible, independent investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.

Hundreds of female students have reported experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, and vertigo after smelling “unpleasant” or “unknown” odours for more than three months, with some hospitalised.

The wave of incidents has instilled fear in parents and prompted calls for authorities to take action, with deputy health minister Younes Panahi stating recently that the suspected attacks were intended to shut down girls’ education.

According to his website, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Monday that perpetrators should face “severe punishment.”

Officials in Iran have not yet announced any arrests.

Related Articles

Featured