More than 100 experts on international law have signed an open letter expressing profound concern about what they see as serious violations of international law by the US, Israel and Iran in the Middle East war. They say the US-Israeli decision to attack on Iran was a clear breach of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force outside of self-defence or when authorised by the UN Security Council.
The experts point to alarming rhetoric being used by officials, including US President Donald Trump's threats to obliterate Iran's power plants. In response, the White House said Trump was making the entire region safer, and dismissed what it described as so-called experts.
In the letter, the experts also took issue with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement that no quarter be given for enemies. Denial of quarter in conflict means refusing to spare the life of anybody, even those who surrender or are wounded. They state that it is especially forbidden to declare that no quarter will be given, a prohibition also in the Department of Defense's own law of war manual.
Signatories include prominent figures like Jonathan Tracy, a former US army judge advocate, and Harold Hongju Koh, a former legal adviser at the US State Department. The letter states: We are gravely concerned that the conduct and threats outlined here are causing serious harm to civilians… and that they risk degrading the rule of law and fundamental norms that protect every nation's civilians.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that 1,606 civilians, including at least 244 children, have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict. In contrast, missile attacks on Israel from Iran and Lebanon have resulted in 19 civilian deaths according to Israeli emergency services.
Forebodingly, a recent attack on a primary school in the Iranian town of Minab at the war's outset reportedly killed at least 168 people, including 110 children. The US Department of Defense is investigating the attack, amid claims that an airstrike may have been responsible.
Tom Fletcher, UN humanitarian chief, has condemned the actions taken throughout the conflict as recklessly disregarding international law, highlighting the urgent need for enforcement and protection of human rights amidst warfare.
The experts point to alarming rhetoric being used by officials, including US President Donald Trump's threats to obliterate Iran's power plants. In response, the White House said Trump was making the entire region safer, and dismissed what it described as so-called experts.
In the letter, the experts also took issue with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement that no quarter be given for enemies. Denial of quarter in conflict means refusing to spare the life of anybody, even those who surrender or are wounded. They state that it is especially forbidden to declare that no quarter will be given, a prohibition also in the Department of Defense's own law of war manual.
Signatories include prominent figures like Jonathan Tracy, a former US army judge advocate, and Harold Hongju Koh, a former legal adviser at the US State Department. The letter states: We are gravely concerned that the conduct and threats outlined here are causing serious harm to civilians… and that they risk degrading the rule of law and fundamental norms that protect every nation's civilians.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that 1,606 civilians, including at least 244 children, have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict. In contrast, missile attacks on Israel from Iran and Lebanon have resulted in 19 civilian deaths according to Israeli emergency services.
Forebodingly, a recent attack on a primary school in the Iranian town of Minab at the war's outset reportedly killed at least 168 people, including 110 children. The US Department of Defense is investigating the attack, amid claims that an airstrike may have been responsible.
Tom Fletcher, UN humanitarian chief, has condemned the actions taken throughout the conflict as recklessly disregarding international law, highlighting the urgent need for enforcement and protection of human rights amidst warfare.
