Askar Jalalian, deputy justice minister for human rights and international affairs, said the attack on the schoolchildren constituted a deliberate and unjustifiable violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 38, which concerns the protection of children in armed conflict.

He added that the assault also violated fundamental international rules governing warfare, including the Geneva Conventions.

Jalalian said Iran has submitted documentation on violations of children’s rights to UN officials and pursued the case through international forums, including the UN Human Rights Council.

He stressed the need to continue legal and diplomatic efforts to establish accountability for the attack, which resulted in the martyrdom of 168 children and teachers.