Professor Qun Chen,
Assistant Director-General for Education (UNESCO)
Subject: Report of Attacks on Scientific, Educational, Research, and Cultural Centers in Iran
Dear Sir,
The Union of the Iranian Scientific and Educational Associations in the Fields of Biology, Geography, Mathematics and Persian Language and Literature, consist of all the teachers’ societies in these fields throughout of the country, hereby respectfully address you concerning the attacks on our country, Iran, a nation with a civilization spanning several thousands years, by the Israel and the United States.
Since the onset of these attacks, countless defenseless children, teachers and other civilians have been killed. During these attacks, the country's fundamental infrastructures, especially scientific, educational, research, and cultural centers including schools, universities, research institutes, houses of science, and cultural and historical sites have been targeted. Notable examples of these attacks include the bombardment of Shajara-ye Tayyibeh Girls' primary School in Minab, Hormozgan Province, resulting in the martyred deaths of 168 students and several teachers, as well as significant damages to many universities and historical monuments and cultural heritage sites in various provinces of the country. These centers are non-military facilities that serve as symbols and sources for promoting and advancing science and knowledge, and represent the country's civilization and culture. Violating these centers during armed conflicts is contrary to the clear provisions of international conventions.
In view of the role and mandate of UNESCO in deterring countries from inhumane and destructive actions against educational, scientific, research, cultural, and archaeological centers, It is requested that the organization, by invoking its legislative capacities and the provisions of relevant international conventions, including the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child, the Hague Conventions, and the Geneva Conventions, take the necessary measures and actions toward the prevention, mitigation, and fulfillment of civil and human rights regarding the aforementioned tragedy.
Respectfully,
Union of Scientific and Educational Associations of Teachers of Iran
