Iran accounts for the majority of reported arrests, affecting nearly 2,350 people since the conflict began, according to Mr. Türk’s Office, OHCHR. “Those arrested face national security charges,”including terrorism, dissent, alleged espionage and “cooperation with the enemy.”‘”.
New attack on an oil tanker
In other developments, maritime monitors reported that A missile hit an oil tanker early Wednesday in Qatar’s territorial waters.. None of the crew on board was injured and there was no environmental impact from the incident, according to Qatari authorities.
Fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport were also attackedamid ongoing attacks on the Gulf States attributed to Iran, and civilian infrastructure in Bahrain was also set alight, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the Iranian capital, Tehran, faced more strikes reported On Wednesday.
Expedited trials
Many of those arrested during the January protests across Iran and during the ongoing war face “shocking conditions”, expedited procedures and the risk of execution, the High Commissioner said.
Eight people have reportedly been executed, including three linked to the mass protests, amid an internet blackout entering its fifth week and “widespread interrogations and procedures.” Intimidation of civilians by heavily armed security forces. in public spaces.”
“Dozens of other people who have been sentenced, including children, face a similar fate,” Türk warned, before calling for an immediate halt to all executions.
Death in custody
In BahrainOHCHR highlighted the death in custody of activist Mohammed Al-Mousawi around March 27, along with “serious allegations of torture.”
The UN human rights chief noted other arrests in the Gulf state, “including those of foreign nationals, for filming or sharing content on social media platforms, or alleged expression of sympathy for the enemy. In cases of people accused of espionage, Bahraini prosecutors have requested the death penalty..”
In Qatar and the United Arab EmiratesOHCHR said 313 and 109 people have been detained respectively, “in relation to filming or exchange of information, among other charges.”
Delicate topic
In the United Arab Emirates, 35 people have been sent for “expedited trial,” including people who circulated video footage showing the impact of Iranian attacks and interceptions.
Foreigners are also among those detainedOHCHR said, citing reports.
In KuwaitMeanwhile, the U.N. human rights office highlighted a new decree imposing prison sentences and heavy fines for the circulation of reports that seek to “undermine the prestige of the military” or erode public confidence in them.
In JordanAt least four critics have reportedly been arrested since the war in the Middle East began on February 28, including three members of the Jordanian Communist Party, two of whom remain detained without their origins being known, the OHCHR said.
“We remind all States of their obligation, under international human rights law, to respect and protect the right of individuals to freedom of expression.. “Everyone has the right to express critical opinions, especially on matters of great public interest, without fear of arbitrary detention or punishment,” said the UN human rights chief.
Restrictions in the occupied West Bank
In the occupied Palestinian territory, Mr. Türk noted that the Israeli authorities had announced the detention of 200 Palestinians from February 28 to March 6including for posting on social media and for suspicion of “incitement” and “glorification of the enemy.”
Israeli security forces have also increased raids on Palestinian communities across the occupied West Bank and “further tightened” movement restrictions, he said.
The High Commissioner also described how a 44-year-old Palestinian school principal in Dura, Hebron, was physically attacked on March 11 in front of his family and his house was vandalized by Israeli authoritiesfor a post he had allegedly posted on social media in support of Iran.
Food is distributed to refugee families at a school in Beirut, Lebanon.
Fear and flight
The escalation of violence in the Middle East has forced more than 202,400 people to flee Lebanon for Syria. Among them are 3,100 pregnant women and 350 are expected to give birth over the next month.
They are entering a country still torn apart by 15 years of war. Having fled without belongings, families now eke out a living in overcrowded and overburdened temporary shelters, according to the United Nations reproductive health agency, UNFPA.
These hostile environments lack adequate food, medicine and health services, leaving women and girls exposed to serious risks of sexual abuse and exploitation.
UNFPA is distributing hygiene kits and deploying mobile teams, but severe funding cuts have closed a third of its Syrian facilities.
“We cannot look the other way,” warned Enshrah Ahmed, UNFPA representative in Syria.