Statement by Mother of a student martyred in MINAB School – Survivor of War before 62nd session of the HRC

Agenda item 3- ID with SR on violence against women and girls

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Statement

by

Mrs. Leyla Ghavidel

Mother of a student martyred in MINAB School – survivor of war

before

62nd session of the HRC

  Agenda item 3- ID with SR on violence against women and girls

Geneva, 22 June 2026

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

  

I am the mother of the martyr, Benjamin Jangjou, and a representative of the other mothers whose children lost their lives at Shajareh-ye Tayebeh School in MINAB.

On that unforgettable day, my child left home with a smile, carrying dreams for the future. He went to school to learn, to laugh and play with his friends, and to enjoy the simple joys that every child deserves. I never imagined that it would be the last time I would see him alive.

The morning of 28 February 2026 became the hardest day of my life. As every day, I went to the school to pick up my child.

I want to share my pain as a mother with you:

When I arrived near the school, I saw that a missile had struck the school building. As I approached the schoolyard, I witnessed a second missile hit the school—directly striking my child's classroom.

I could no longer walk. My legs were trembling. My heart was burning with pain, and my legs could no longer carry me. I collapsed there. The roof of the school had fallen before my eyes.

Today, I want to tell everyone who hears my voice and watches this video, to the representatives of Member States and the United Nations, to condemn the United States and Israel as the aggressors and to stand on the side of justice and accountability for MINAB children and their mothers.

Thank you.

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