By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN independent fact finding mission warned on Wednesday that Iranian prisoners including detained protesters face expedited death penalty proceedings as US, Israeli and Iranian strikes continued its war in the gulf and the Middle East for a 5th day.
The Independent International Fact Finding Mission on Iran was created by the Council in 2022, said it was deeply concerned about the protection of detainees, in addition to the escalating violence that continues to impact Lebanon and multiple Gulf States.
The panel of independent rights experts cited credible reports “that many prisoners in Iran are at serious risk of torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearances”.
“Several others face execution, in violation of international due process and fair trial rights and the right to life”, the fact-finding mission stated.
It warned against a repeat of military attacks on Iranian detention facilities, such as the Israeli strike on Evin Prison last June.
UNICEF reported that 7 children have been killed and 38 injured in 24 hours after escalating hostilities across Lebanon.
The toll came as renewed Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah hit multiple areas across the country, triggered massive displacement and deepening an fragile humanitarian situation.
The latest reports indicated that the Israeli evacuation orders have been issued to communities in southern Lebanon affected 5% of the population some 250,000 people living south of Litani river.
Over 60,000 people including 18,000 children have been newly displaced, added to the thousands uprooted from their homes.
Over 12,000 families have found refuge in at least 300 shelters opened nationwide, with dozens already at full capacity.
UNICEF Representative in Lebanon Marcoluigi Corsi said “No child should ever be killed or be left to bear the lifelong physical and emotional scars of violence,”.
UNICEF’s response plan requirse $48 million to reach one million people in need, yet only 16% of funding has been received to date.
