Sunday, July 24, 2016
Kabul (BNA) The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemned in its strongest possible terms yesterday’s deadly attack that killed and maimed hundreds of civilians gathered to peacefully demonstrate in Kabul city, a statement from UNAMA said, adding that the attack is particularly heinous because it targeted civilians, as they exercised their rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.
“An attack deliberately targeting a large, concentrated group of civilian amounts to a war crime. This incident is an outrage that cannot be justified. It is an attempt to spread terror amongst civilians and stifle the freedoms that Afghans have sacrificed so much to obtain,” the statement said, adding thatthe United Nations stands firmly with the people of Afghanistan as they seek to exercise their fundamental human rights.
The US Embassy in Kabul also condemned the cowardly bombing attack that has claimed scores of innocents lives in Kabul during a peaceful demonstration in which citizen were exercising their constitutionalrights.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, and we will all of those who were wounded a full recovery,” the Embassy said in a statement released to media.
The Iranian Embassy releasing a statement also condemned the attack on protesters in Kabul, adding that Islamic Republic demands unity among Afghans so that to foil the enemies’ vicious plans.
The commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan strongly condemned the deadly attack, saying “Our condolences go out to those who are affected by today’s attack.””We strongly condemn the actions of Afghanistan’s enemies of peace and remain firmly committed to supporting our Afghan partners and the National Unity Government,” the Resolute Support Commander Gen. John W. Nicholson said, praising the Afghan law enforcement officials and medical personnel whose efforts prevented additional casualties.
The Amnesty International said the “horrific attack … demonstrates the utter disregard that armed groups have for human life.”
“Such attacks are a reminder that the conflict in Afghanistan is not winding down, as some believe, but escalating, with consequences for the human rights situation in the country that should alarm us all,” it quoted Champa Patel, Amnesty’s South Asia director, as saying.
The so-called TUTAP power line is backed by the Asian Development Bank with involvement of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The original plan routed the line through Bamyan province, in the central highlands.
That route was changed in 2013 by the previous government. Leaders of the marches have said that the rerouting was evidence of bias against the Hazara community, which accounts for up to 15% of Afghanistan’s estimated population of 30 million.
