KABUL (SW): The European Union has expressed serious concerns over mounting number of civilian casualties, particularly children in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
In a communiqué, it said that the UNAMA Report for the half of 2016 draws a grim picture in terms of Afghan civilian casualties noting that the highest number of civilian casualties have occurred so far this year since reporting began in 2009. Even more concerning is that children compose one-third of civilian casualties, which is also the highest figure for children killed or wounded in the same period since reporting began.
The EU has called upon on all parties to exert the utmost effort to prevent civilian casualties and combatants to cease from engaging in operations were civilian casualties are likely, if not intended.
"The increasing number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan is a big concern. The horrific attack on the civilian protesters in Kabul on Saturday showed that use of indiscriminate and random attacks kills and injures more and more innocent Afghans. This is a clear breach of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately. The increasing trend of civilian casualties must be reversed”, said the European Union Special Representative and Head of Delegation to Afghanistan, Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin.
ENDS
