Scores of Civilians, Including Children, Reportedly Killed; Full Investigation Needed
March 7, 2026

A February 28, 2026 attack on a primary school in southern Iran was an unlawful attack that reportedly killed scores of civilians, including schoolchildren.

The laws of war prohibit attacks if the anticipated harm to civilians and civilian objects is disproportionate compared to the expected military gain from the attack.

The United States and Israel should immediately assess their responsibility for this attack and make the findings public. The responsible party should fully account for the civilian harm and hold those responsible accountable, including prosecuting anyone responsible for war crimes ...

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/07/us/israel-investigate-iran-school-attack-as-a-war-crime

Risk Harming Economic Rights Across the Globe
March 23, 2026 11:00PM EDT

Iranian forces appear to have deliberately targeted at least two civilian commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026, which would amount to war crimes. Between March 1 and 17, the UN confirmed 17 incidents of damage to commercial vessels in the region.

The attacks, as well as the threat of attacks, also appear to have contributed to significant global cost increases in energy, which may also result in cost increases in food and other critical sectors, to the detriment of people’s rights.

Iran, the United States, and Israel should all immediately end unlawful attacks on civilians and civilian objects ...

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/iran-deliberate-attacks-on-civilian-ships-apparent-war-crimes

Detainees Face Dual Threat of Government Atrocities, US/Israeli Attacks
April 1, 2026

Thousands of detainees in Iran, including political prisoners and children, are at risk of injury and death from US and Israeli strikes, as well as atrocities by Iran’s authorities, including mass, secret, and arbitrary executions.

Instead of releasing prisoners unconditionally or on humanitarian grounds, Iran’s authorities continue to carry out the arrests of real and perceived dissidents as well as arbitrary executions of political prisoners.
UN member states should press Iran’s authorities to immediately release anyone arbitrarily detained, halt executions, and implement regulations that allow for the release or temporary leave of prisoners on humanitarian grounds. They should urge all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and prioritize the protection of civilians ...

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/01/iran-thousands-of-prisoners-at-risk

Published in LA Times
Sarah Yager
Washington Director

.... A new investigation alleges that a Feb. 28 strike by the U.S. hit an elementary school and sports hall in the southern city of Lamerd, with children once again among the dead. U.S. Central Command has since denied carrying out any strike in or near Lamerd that day, calling the reports false.

Independent verification is difficult because Iran shut down its internet, but Americans should nevertheless be concerned, especially after at least 175 people including many children were reported killed in a U.S. strike on a different school in Minab that same day. The cycle is familiar, with allegations of civilian harm followed by official denials, and no independent access to quickly verify the facts ...

There are warning signs that in this policy environment, the U.S. military will not be led to correct its course. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly dismissed what he calls “stupid rules of engagement” and emphasized making the military “more lethal.” At the same time, Hegseth has weakened or sidelined efforts designed to reduce civilian harm in war. Those signals matter because they shape what military lawyers, analysts and commanders understand to be expected of them. In short, they shape the military’s culture ...

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/06/americans-deserve-answers-about-civilian-casualties-in-iran