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Iranwire – A London-based Iranian lawyer has called on the UN’s chemical-weapons watchdog to probe an ongoing wave of poisoning attacks that has sickened thousands of schoolgirls across Iran over more than four months.
In a letter addressed to the director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Hamid Sabi requested the appointment of an inspector to “investigate the use of chemical substances by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its agents in the schools.”
Sabi told IranWire on April 18 that OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias is required, under the organization’s convention, to appoint an inspector when a substantial complaint is made to him. The inspector should then launch an investigation to collect information.
“The first thing is to carry out tests on those who have been affected and poisoned to see what sort of chemical is being used,” he said.
Since November 2022, more than 13,000 students have reportedly suffered symptoms including nausea, fainting, headaches, coughing, breathing difficulties and heart palpitations, with many requiring treatment in hospital for respiratory symptoms .
On April 18 alone, poisonings were reported in girls’ schools in at least seven cities.
The poisonings have sparked fear and anger among schoolgirls, their parents and wider Iranian society. The attacks prompted calls for increased security measures at schools across the country, with several principals reportedly asking parents to keep their children at home.
Sabi said the continued and widespread attacks suggests that “some central authority is behind” them.
The lawyer pointed out that the similarity of the symptoms suffered by the affected pupils suggests that they have been “poisoned with similar substances.”
After Iranian authorities announced arrests over the poisonings last month, UN experts criticized the Islamic Republic for failing to protect the schoolgirls, prevent further attacks and conduct swift investigations.
The experts said the attacks might be “orchestrated to punish girls” for their involvement in nationwide protests sparked by the September 2022 death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody.
“It is a serious problem if the government is using it to create fear or whatever reason they have,” Sabi said.
When asked if he believed the OPCW will appoint an inspector, he answered: “I think it is quite probable.”
