There is consensus among international legal experts that the US-Israeli attack on Iran violates the UN Charter

“Civilians should not pay the price for the unlawful and reckless acts by parties to the conflict, ravaging the principles of humanity and distinction at the heart of international humanitarian law and threatening the very foundations of international peace and security. Their protection should now be the top priority. Instead, they are facing more senseless killings and repression.” Dr. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International Hi Mark M, We are watching in horror as hostilities across the Middle East dramatically escalate, engulfing the entire region in conflict. There is consensus among international legal experts that the US-Israeli attack on Iran violates the UN Charter. Millions of civilians are at grave risk as the U.S. and Israel continue their joint attacks on Iran, and Iran carries out retaliatory attacks across the region. Military operations have spread across the region and now involve more than 10 countries, including Lebanon, Kuwait, Cyprus, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. While the final toll to date is still emerging, early reports indicate that hundreds have been killed — including approximately 150 school children in Iran — alongside the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals. Amnesty is issuing an urgent call on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and protect civilians, including by ending unlawful attacks such as deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and attacks with an indiscriminate or disproportionate impact on civilians or civilian infrastructure. Under international law, civilians must never be targeted. Reports emerging from across the region are deeply alarming, and the human toll is already becoming clear. As the conflict intensifies, our teams are gathering evidence, documenting reports of civilian harm, and assessing the human rights consequences in real time. Amnesty researchers have analyzed and verified videos from the aftermath of a strike on a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, where approximately 165 people were reportedly killed. Missile and drone attacks have also killed and injured multiple people in Israel and across the Gulf region, while Israel significantly escalated its attacks on Lebanon following Hezbollah rocket attacks. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced across Lebanon. This escalation also comes as Iranian authorities ruthlessly continue with one of the deadliest crackdowns in decades against people demanding respect for their human rights and freedoms. Amnesty has documented how security forces killed thousands of protesters during the January uprising and arbitrarily detained tens of thousands more, including children. Authorities have repeatedly shut down internet access to conceal the scale of these violations. Now, with regional conflict expanding, millions face even greater danger. When violence escalates, it is civilians who pay the highest price. Here’s what we’re doing right now — and we will continue to ramp up our work as the situation evolves in real time: Investigate and document civilian harm and gather first-hand testimony from eyewitnesses and survivors. Verify, analyze, and preserve critical evidence through our Crisis Evidence Lab so violations cannot be erased or denied and can be used to pursue justice and accountability. Mobilize international pressure to protect civilians and ensure that all parties to the conflict comply with international law. Read more about our response here, and please: stay tuned for more updates from us as this crisis evolves, including ways to take meaningful action to protect civilians. And remember: in moments like this, independent, impartial human rights investigations are critical. We are doing all we can to ensure the truth is documented and that those responsible cannot act with impunity. We’ll be in touch again soon, and thank you for all of your support and care. Sincerely,

Nadia Daar Chief Strategy and Impact Officer and Incoming Executive Director Amnesty International USA P.S. Amnesty’s critical investigations, research, and campaigning are only possible because people like you choose to stand with those whose rights are under threat.

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