4 April 2013 – The members
of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack
on 3 April in Farah province of Afghanistan, causing numerous deaths and
injuries of mostly civilians.
The members of the Security Council expressed
their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the
people and Government of Afghanistan. They wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The members of the Security Council underlined the
need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these
reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance
with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council
resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated
their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and illegal
armed groups to the local population, national security forces, international
military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed
that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and
unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by
whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion,
nationality, civilization or ethnic group.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the
need and reiterated their determination to combat by all means, in accordance
with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international
law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law,
threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The members of the Security Council reiterated
that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy
and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the
Government of Afghanistan and the international community.
KABUL, 4 April 2013 – The United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan (UNAMA) strongly condemns an attack against a Government compound
in the south-western province of Farah on 3 April that resulted in the deaths
of at least 41 civilians, most of whom were civilian Government workers, and
injuries to more than 100 others.
Among the civilians killed were two judges and six prosecutors, as well
as administration officers and cleaners working at the site. The attack was the
deadliest for Afghan civilians since December 2011.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they intended
to target civilian Government employees, in particular workers in the courts
and prosecutors’ offices.
“The United Nations again calls on the Taliban to follow through on their
previous public commitments to protect civilians,” said the Secretary-General’s
Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš. “Who is a
‘civilian’ requiring protection is not a matter of controversy; the term is
defined in international law and parties to the conflict, including the
Taliban, are obliged to abide by this definition.”
UNAMA notes that international humanitarian law defines civilians as all those
who do not take a direct part in hostilities and who are not combatants – such
as civilian Government employees. Attacks against civilians are prohibited at
all times and may amount to war crimes.
The civilian toll of Afghanistan’s armed conflict has already increased in
2013. UNAMA has repeatedly called on all parties to the armed conflict to
increase their efforts to protect civilians. With the onset of the spring
fighting season, UNAMA again highlights the obligations of parties to take all
necessary measures to protect civilians.
UNAMA expresses its deepest condolences to the victims of the attack and their
families, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.
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