Letter to All Special Procedures mandate holders of the United Nations Human Rights Council

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 In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful 

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I am writing to bring to your attention in your capacity as the Special Procedures mandate holders of the United Nations Human Rights Council the unlawful, brazen and reckless armed attack of the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In the early morning hours of 13 June 2025, Israel launched an unprovoked, large-scale armed attack against Iran. This was an egregious act of aggression by every definition. Through coordinated air, missile, and drone strikes, it targeted residential neighborhoods, civilian infrastructure, and public authorities. These actions constitute a serious and unambiguous violation of international law, in particular International Human Rights Law, and the Charter of the United Nations.

This blatant act of aggression, in violation of international law and the UN Charter, has resulted in wide-ranging and ongoing violations of fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles.

1. Violation of International Law and the UN Charter

The attack constitutes a breach of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and meets the definition of aggression as defined in General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974). It represents a serious threat to international peace and security and a flagrant breach of Iran’s sovereignty.

2. Grave Human Rights Violations

The Israeli attack has led to the violation of multiple rights enshrined in core human rights instruments including the ICCPR, ICESCR, CRPD, and customary international law. These violations include but are not limited to:

•            Right to Life (Article 6, ICCPR): The loss of civilian lives, including women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
•            Right to Adequate Housing (Article 11, ICESCR): Destruction of residential neighborhoods leading to forced displacement and homelessness.
•            Right to Health (Article 12, ICESCR): Attacks on hospitals, emergency responders, and medical supply routes have endangered lives and cut off access to essential healthcare.
•            Right to Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (Article 19, ICCPR): The targeting of national broadcasting infrastructure (IRIB) directly undermined the public’s right to access and disseminate information.  
• Right to Food (Article 11, ICESCR): The disruption of major transportation networks, including roads and airports, has severely impacted the distribution of food and essential goods, threatening food security.
•            Environmental Rights and Right to a Healthy Environment: Damage to military-industrial facilities has caused toxic contamination, with harmful environmental consequences for surrounding communities.
•            Protection of Cultural Rights and Heritage (Article 15, ICESCR): Attacks near cultural sites and historic areas have threatened Iran’s cultural legacy, including tangible and intangible heritage.
•            Violations of the Rights of Vulnerable Groups:
•            Older persons and persons with disabilities have suffered disproportionate harm due to limited mobility, lack of accessible shelters, and disruption in essential care.
•            Women and children face heightened exposure to physical insecurity, trauma, and deprivation of basic needs.
•            Forced Displacement and Climate of Fear: Civilians were compelled to flee under threat of further attacks, in some cases under direct orders, resulting in mass displacement and the creation of a climate of widespread terror.
•            Threat to Biodiversity and Endangered Species: Targeted regions include environmentally sensitive areas home to endangered species such as the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), whose already fragile habitat in the Iranian desert has now been further degraded by airstrikes and pollution.
•            Enforced Disappearances: Several individuals remain missing since the attacks, raising serious concerns under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

 3. Request for Urgent Action

I urges all Special Rapporteurs and mandate holders to:

•            Issue a public condemnation of the aggression and resulting human rights violations.
•            Engage urgently with the Israeli regime regarding its legal obligations and the consequences of its actions.
•            Undertake a coordinated review and response, addressing each thematic concern through urgent communications, joint statements, or special reports.
•            Ensure that victims’ rights are restored, and that those responsible are held accountable in line with international legal standards. 

The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to full cooperation with all human rights mechanisms based on impartiality, universality, and respect for state sovereignty.

I respectfully request that the Special Procedures take urgent and coordinated action to address these grave violations. 

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration. 

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