Chinese envoy condemns U.S.-Israeli atrocities in attacks on Iranian school

GENEVA - A Chinese envoy on Friday condemned the U.S.-Israeli atrocities in their attacks on a school in Iran at a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

At the request of Iran, China and Cuba, the 61st session of the UNHRC held an urgent debate on the attacks on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School in Minab, Iran. Jia Guide, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organisations in Switzerland, attended and elaborated on China's position.

Jia denounced the attacks on the school in Minab, which claimed the lives of 168 innocent girls, as an act that crosses the line of human morality, the worst violation of human rights, and a blatant contempt of international humanitarian law.

He said China is deeply shocked by the attack, strongly condemns it, and expresses sympathy for the families of the victims.

Jia pointed out that the United States and Israel launched the attack on Iran brazenly without the authorisation of the UN Security Council, which was the root cause of the tragedy.

He said the United States and Israel had not only killed Iranian leaders, seriously violated the human rights of the Iranian people, but also escalated tensions in the Middle East, dragging countries in the region into the fray.

The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of all countries should be fully respected, Jia said, adding that China strongly condemns all acts that violate international law and target civilians and non-military facilities indiscriminately.

Jia stressed that all hotspot issues should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, and not by the use of force.

He also noted that all parties must seize every opportunity for peace, launch the peace process with a sincere attitude, take practical actions to protect the basic human rights of people in the region, and safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East.