UN slams ‘callous’ suicide attack on education centre in Kabul

UN slams ‘callous’ suicide attack on education centre in Kabul

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 30 (APP): The United Nations has condemned a suicide bombing in Kabul which has left more than 20 dead, many of them young women, who were taking a practice university entrance exam at an education centre.

Dozens more were wounded at the Kaaj tuition centre, in the Dasht-e-Barchi area in the western part of the capital, which the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) noted in a tweet, is a Hazara majority area.

No group has yet claimed the attack, but affiliates of the terrorist group ISIL, or Daesh, have often targeted the Hazara minority in Afghanistan.

“The UN family condemns the outrage, extending its deep condolences to all those in mourning,” the mission said.

News reports said that the attacker shot at guards outside the facility, and then entered a classroom before detonating a bomb. Hundreds of students were reported to have been in the room at the time.

UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, issued a statement saying it was “appalled the by horrific attack” early on Friday morning.

“This heinous act claimed the lives of dozens of adolescent girls and boys and severely injured many more. The victims were practising for the entrance exam to university.

“UNICEF offers its heartfelt condolences to all families affected by this terrible event and wishes a swift recovery to the injured.”

The agency said that any violence in any educational environment was “never acceptable”.

“Such places must be havens of peace where children can learn, be with friends, and feel safe as they build skills for their futures,” the statement added.

“Children and adolescents are not, and must never be, the target of violence. Once again, UNICEF reminds all parties in Afghanistan to adhere to and respect human rights and ensure the safety and protection of all children and young people.”

The district where the attack happened is a home to the minority Hazara community, who are historically one of the most severely persecuted groups in Afghanistan, the UN pointed out.

This abuse has not stopped since the Taliban seized power in coup in August last year, according to a report by UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett.

In his report to the Human Rights Council on September 6, Bennett detailed how Hazara communities have been subjected to multiple forms of discrimination, negatively affecting their economic, social, cultural and human rights.

“There are reports of arbitrary arrests, torture and other ill-treatment, summary executions and enforced disappearances,” the Special Rapporteur insisted. “In addition, an increase in inflammatory speech is being reported, both online and in some mosques during Friday prayers, including calling for Hazaras to be killed.”

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