UN human rights chief implores parties to end violence, protect civilians and return to negotiations as conflict widens across the region.

GENEVA: The United Nations has urgently called for all parties in the escalating Middle East conflict to “come to their senses” and end the violence.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk (pic) is “deeply shocked” by the widespread impact on civilians since hostilities erupted over the weekend.

“The fear, the panic, the anxiety experienced by millions of people in the Middle East and beyond is palpable — and was entirely avoidable,” his spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a press conference.

She stated the situation is worsening and widening by the hour, playing out worst fears.

Turk is shocked by the impacts on civilians and infrastructure since Israel and the United States attacked Iran, prompting Iran’s response and Hezbollah’s subsequent entry.

He called for maximum restraint to prevent further escalation and to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.

“Returning to the negotiating table is the one and only way to bring an end to the killing, destruction and despair,” Shamdasani said.

She added that Turk implores all parties to end the violence, emphasising that international law clearly protects civilians and civilian objects.

The UN rights office also addressed a specific attack on a girls’ school in the southern Iranian town of Minab.

Iran claims 168 people were killed in that strike, prompting calls for a prompt and impartial investigation.

“The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it,” Shamdasani said.

The office voiced grave concern for Iranian citizens’ welfare, citing the government’s record of cracking down on opposition.

It called for the immediate restoration of telecoms services, as many Iranians are cut off from essential information.

Concern was also raised for hundreds of arbitrarily held political prisoners in Iran, urging efforts for their protection and prompt release.

 The Sun Malaysia