| Since November 2022, more than 13,000 Iranian schoolgirls have been poisoned in chemical gas attacks in what many human rights groups believe is retribution for the women-led uprisings challenging the Islamic Republic of Iran’s authority – and intimidation to discourage girls from attending classes.
These children have been hospitalized with respiratory distress, numbness, heart palpitations, nausea, and vomiting. At least two students died from the attacks, according to Iran International. Students, teachers, and responding medical authorities have reported strong odors associated with the poisonings, such as rotten fruit, bleach, and chlorine.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp soldiers have seized evidence and silenced witnesses, while regime officials have dismissed the attacks as “mass hysteria,” schoolyard “pranks,” and “rumors” perpetuated by foreign adversaries.
Amnesty International calls the poisonings “a coordinated campaign to punish schoolgirls for their peaceful participation in nationwide protests.” Yet, despite widespread demands for an independent inquiry into the mass poisonings, including from the White House and European Union, Iran’s regime has so far succeeded at warding off international inspections.
Your letter will ask Congress to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the OPCW to initiate “challenge inspections” into the source and nature of the toxic poisonings. As a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, an arms control treaty administered by OPCW, Iran is obligated to clarify concerns about its compliance with the convention.
Take action now to hold Iran’s regime accountable and protect Iranian women and children from further chemical gas attacks.
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Benjamin Baird, Project Director
[email protected]
215-546-5406 | 