Secretary-General Condemns Lethal Attacks at Afghan Campaign Rally, Candidate’s Office, Urges All Parties to Ensure Peaceful Parliamentary Electoral Process

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General condemns today’s lethal attacks against an election campaign rally in Takhar Province and a candidate’s office in Herat Province in Afghanistan.  He extends his deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

The deliberate targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law.  In the run up to the parliamentary elections on 20 October, the Secretary-General urges all parties to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process by creating a safe environment for political candidates to campaign and for citizens to exercise their right to assemble and vote.