Spike in violence worries Canada, Australia

KABUL. In a joint statement, they said: “We condemn the deliberate and callous targeting of advocates for peace, and of the security forces trying to protect the population.”

They expressed deep concerns that unacceptable levels of Taliban violence against Afghan forces threatened the long-delayed hopes of the Afghan people for peace.

The two sides slammed recent attacks on religious leaders, healthcare workers, human rights advocates and judicial figures as abhorrent.

“Those who carried out these crimes clearly intended to stop free debate. But the calls by civil society for an end to violence and a bright future for Afghanistan cannot be silenced.”

They hoped the Afghans would not be deterred from raising their voices to help achieve their common goal of an Afghanistan at peace, and in which the people’s wellbeing and diverse contributions were valued.

While stressing a thorough investigation into the crimes to bring the perpetrators to justice, they promised continued support for inclusive Afghan-owned and Afghan-led negotiations as the only effective pathway to peace.

It was disheartening that the restraint being shown by the Afghan forces was not reciprocated by the Taliban, they said.

“This is not the behaviour expected of those who claim to represent the very same people who are the victims of their violence,” he statement added.

They called on all parties to the conflict to immediately comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2532.

“Now is the time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, which will allow the access so greatly needed to vulnerable Afghan communities battling the heavy impact of the COVID-19 crisis.”

An immediate reduction in violence and humanitarian ceasefire would also build confidence and enable progress to be achieved in intra-Afghan negotiations, they argued.

“We encourage all parties to create the right conditions for the intra-Afghan talks by making clear their commitment to peace,” the two countries said.

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