DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Nations cultural agency on Wednesday expressed concern over the apparent poisoning of thousands of schoolgirls in Iran and called for an investigation.
Thousands of girls in hundreds of schools across Iran have reported noxious gas poisoning in incidents dating back to November. There were no fatalities.
So far, it is unclear which toxic substance, if any, could have been used. No one has claimed responsibility for any attack and authorities have not identified any suspects. Unlike neighboring Afghanistan, Iran has no history of religious extremists targeting women’s education.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) “calls for thorough investigations and immediate action to protect schools and facilitate the return of affected students,” the agency tweeted.
“I am deeply concerned about the reported poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran over the past three months. It is a violation of their right to receive an education,” said UNESCO Director Audrey Azoulay.
Iranian authorities said they were investigating what happened and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for harsh punishments for those responsible.
But authorities have also tightened restrictions on the independent press, arresting journalists, activists and others for discussing the alleged poisonings. This made it difficult to get an idea of the scale of the crisis.
Iran was already severely restricting the press amid a wave of protests over the September death of a young woman in the custody of vice police. Iran’s theocracy requires women to dress conservatively and cover their hair in public, but has never opposed girls’ education.
Some Iranian officials have suggested, without evidence, that the protests and poisoning reports are part of an international plot to destabilize the country. Videos posted online appear to show teachers protesting suspected poisonings in various cities across the country on Tuesday.
The Interior Ministry announced arrests in six provinces linked to the alleged poisonings. But the statement focuses on an individual accused of producing a video that was sent to “the hostile press” and said three other people were active in the recent protests.
Iran has described some of the poisoning reports as “hysterical” episodes.