Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Kabul

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Kabul on 20 January, against a minibus transporting workers of a local media organization, for which the Taliban has claimed responsibility.  The attack resulted in at least seven deaths, as well as more than 20 wounded persons.

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, and they wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the fact that this heinous crime, beyond attacking the lives of civilians, also aims at the right of all Afghans to freedom of expression.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) affiliates, illegal and armed groups to the local population, national defence and security forces, and international presence in Afghanistan.

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 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 for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that no violent or terrorist acts 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 by the international community.