Afghanistan Peace CampaignStéphane Dujarric has once again called for de-escalation, dialogue, and respect for international law to prevent further harm to civilians.
The spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General says that continued tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to put civilians at risk.
Stéphane Dujarric has once again called for de-escalation, dialogue, and respect for international law to prevent further harm to civilians.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said: “The United Nations has called for de-escalation, dialogue, and respect for international law to prevent further harm to civilians. It is clear that civilians there must be protected, just as they must be protected everywhere.”
The European Union has also expressed regret over the airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand and called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to resolve tensions.
The European Union said in a statement: “We regret the loss of civilian lives following airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has confirmed that at least 10 civilians were killed, most of them children, and nine others were injured. We call on both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. Afghanistan’s de facto authorities must take effective measures against terrorist groups operating within or from Afghan territory.”
Meanwhile, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, described Pakistan’s attacks as a clear violation of human rights and international law and stressed the need for accountability.
Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, has also called for an end to the killing of innocent Afghans.
Khalilzad said: “Very sad news from Afghanistan. Pakistani airstrikes have once again killed civilians, including several children. As before, I strongly condemn these attacks. The killing of innocent Afghans must stop.”
Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, says tensions between Kabul and Islamabad will be discussed at the eighth meeting of the Moscow Format on Afghanistan.
He told the newspaper Izvestia that Russia is ready to use the Moscow platform to bring the two sides closer and help them reach “reasonable compromises.”
Izvestia quoted Kabulov as saying: “Of course, this issue will be raised, and we will be glad to use the Moscow platform to bring the two sides involved closer to some reasonable compromises.”
This is the third time in less than two weeks that Pakistan’s military has carried out airstrikes in the middle of the night.
While Pakistan claimed yesterday that it had targeted two hideouts in Afghanistan, UNAMA confirmed in a statement that 10 civilians were killed and nine others were injured as a result of the airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand.