More than 9 children killed in Afghanistan daily

KABUL (Pajhwok): The High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) and the State Ministry for Peace on Sunday expressed concern over the killing of children in the war in Afghanistan, saying the situation must be stopped.

HCNR deputy human rights and civil society director Dr. Alema told a conference in Kabul “National Debate on Vulnerability of Children to War and Violence”,  that for four decades now, the Afghan children were falling victim to proxy and house-to-house wars.

“Our children are among the most vulnerable, they fall victim to roadside bombs, car bombs and suicide attacks,” she said, adding more than nine children were being killed in Afghanistan daily.

Alema urged the governmental and nongovernmental organizations to prevent this situation.

State Minister for Peace, SayedSaadatMansoorNaderi said the four decades of war had affected all Afghans.

“The effects and consequences of this war have greatly affected not only today’s generation but also our future generations; violent behavior, aggression and mistrust are among the consequences of war that would weigh on our society for years to come---The effects of war and violence on children have severely damaged the present and future of our country,” he said.

He added the government has declared unconditional readiness for a ceasefire and lasting peace for the safety of children.

Naderi said those who perpetrated violence in the country should know that they will not achieve anything, and the result of their violence was nothing more than increasing the suffering of the people, orphaning children, capturing their childhood dreams by killing their fathers and widowing their mothers.

Head of Islamic Education in the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, Mufti RahimullahHanafi at the event called the killing of children and women forbidden and stressed that such acts must be stopped.

Hr/ma