GENEVA (5 January 2024) – Those responsible for the deadly attacks in Iran on Wednesday that killed over 100 people must be held accountable, a UN expert said today. “I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” said Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. “Killing constitutes one of the most serious attacks against international human rights values. It is therefore essential that respect for human rights and the rule of law be the bedrock of the global fight against such attacks,” he said. The attack reportedly killed more than 100 people taking part in a commemoration for a former top military general in the eastern city of Kerman. More than 183 people have also been wounded according to Iranian officials at the scene. However, given the scale and size of the blasts, it is likely that the death toll will rise, the expert warned. Rehman extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and the people of Iran. According to news reports, there were two explosions as thousands were walking along the route to a cemetery in Kerman, which is the final resting place of Qassim Suleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad four years ago. *The expert: Javaid Rehman, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; The Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council"s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures" experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, Country Page — Iran For more information and media requests, please contact: Amal Loubani (amal.loubani@un.org) For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts. Concerned about the world we live in? Then stand up for someone"s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the website at http://www.standup4humanrights.org