CONCERNED OVER INSECURITY IN AFGHANISTAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR REDOUBLING

OF EFFORTS TO COMBAT IMPUNITY, ENSURE RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned over the level of insecurity in Afghanistan, as witnessed by events over the weekend in the south and south-west of the country.  These included the senseless murder on Sunday, 8 April, of the Afghan journalist Ajmal Naqshbandi, who was abducted by the Taliban in Helmand province on 5 March; an improvised explosive device attack, which killed, on Sunday, six Canadian troops serving with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kandahar province; the ambush and murder on Saturday of six Afghan deminers in Farah province; and the murder of nine civilians, including five children, by a suicide bomber in Laghman province on 1 April.  The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the bereaved families and the respective Governments.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns such acts of violence and calls upon the Government of Afghanistan and the international community, including ISAF, to redouble their efforts to ensure stability, combat impunity and ensure an environment of respect for human rights. 

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For information media • not an official record