The death of Sarina Alaei, a 19-year-old girl from the city of Baneh, has once again turned the issue of civilian safety during military activities into a grave human rights concern. According to local media reports, the young girl suffered severe nervous shock and fell into a coma after hearing the intense roar of fighter jets and explosions resulting from U.S. and Israeli bombings in the region. She passed away on April 3, 2026 (14 Farvardin 1405), after spending approximately ten days in the intensive care unit.
According to published information, the extreme intensity of the noise caused by low-flying jets and explosions in the area was the primary factor leading to the shock and subsequent deterioration of her physical condition.
Legal Analysis: The Right to Life and the Principle of Precaution
The right to life is among the most fundamental of human rights, emphasized in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Under these instruments, states and international actors are obligated to protect the lives and security of citizens and prevent actions that place civilian lives at risk.
Furthermore, within the framework of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly the principles enshrined in the Fourth Geneva Convention, civilians must be protected against the effects of military operations. Any military activity must adhere to the “Principle of Precaution,” which requires parties to the conflict to take all feasible measures to minimize harm to the civilian population—including both direct physical injury and collateral damage caused by psychological and acoustic trauma.
Violation of Health Standards and Aggressor Liability
From this perspective, conducting military activities near residential areas without safety considerations or risk assessments for the inhabitants constitutes a clear violation of obligations regarding the protection of civilians and a breach of the right to life.
Moreover, exposing individuals to conditions that cause severe psychological or physical harm (leading to death) directly contradicts the obligations set forth in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) regarding the “right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.” Those responsible for these airstrikes, which induced terror and caused the death of a defenseless citizen without regard for the human ecosystem of the region, bear significant legal and criminal liability.
The Necessity of Accountability
The death of Sarina Alaei serves as a reminder that independent international investigations to uncover the truth and ensure accountability are essential requirements for guaranteeing respect for fundamental human rights and preventing the recurrence of such tragedies. Civilian lives must not fall victim to military rivalries and illegal violations of airspace and territorial integrity.
