World outraged by deadly bombings at Kabul schools

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations has condemned Wednesday’s deadly bombings at two educational institutions in western Kabul.

At least six people were killed and 22 others wounded in the multiple blasts, which also drew strong denunciation from Afghan political leaders.

The blasts struck the Abdul Rahim Shahid High School and the nearby Mumtaz Education Centre in the Shia-dominated Dasht-i-Barchi area.

UN Secretary-General Guterres excoriated the attacks as “ghastly” and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

“Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools, are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law,” he said.

Ramiz Alakbarov, the secretary-general’s deputy special representative, strongly condemned what he called the “horrific” attacks.

In a statement, the UN diplomat said: “Violence in or around schools is never acceptable … Schools should be safe havens and places where children can learn and flourish.”

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) took to Twitter to unequivocally denounce the “heinous” attacks.

“Those responsible for the crime targeting schools and children must be brought to justice,” the UNAMA tweeted, saying its head Deborah Lyons had extended her deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for the wounded.

Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, also extended condolences to the bereaved families.

“Afghanistan’s ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity is at great risk. It must be respected and kept safe,” Grandi wrote on his official Twitter account.

The State Department voiced its “outrage in response to the heinous attacks” on the educational institutions.

“We offer sincere condolences to the families and other loved ones of those killed. The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

“All Afghan children deserve to pursue their studies safely and without fear of violence,” he added.

Qatar expressed its strong denunciation of the bombings, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed Doha’s total rejection of violence against civilians in all its forms.

The ministry warned such horrific acts would have a severe negative impact on human rights, development and the economy of Afghanistan.

In a statement, it reiterated Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence, terrorism and criminal acts, regardless of motives and reasons.

The OIC General Secretariat also denounced the twin blasts, expressing its dismay over the death and injury of innocent Afghans.

Samira Hamidi, Amnesty International’s South Asia campaigner, said: “These reprehensible attacks on schools highlight the violence that Afghan people continue to face in their daily lives.

“It also shows that the Taliban, as the de-facto authorities, are failing to protect civilians, especially those from ethnic and religious minority groups, from harm,” she said.

In a statement, Hamidi stressed: “It is essential that the de-facto authorities carry out a thorough investigation into the attacks, which should be conducted in line with international law and standards.”

Those suspected of criminal responsibility for these callous bombings must face justice in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts and without recourse to death penalty, she added.

Outraged by the blasts, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh urged the Taliban government to identify and punish the perpetrators.

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