Yesterday’s heinous multiple attacks in Afghanistan, including on mosques, have taken the lives of and injured countless of civilians deliberately targeting country’s Shia community and the Hazara ethnic group in particular. We mourn this unacceptable and senseless loss of lives and stand with the injured and the families of those killed.
Targeting places of worship is a violation of international law. It is yet another abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms and a crime in the holy religion of Islam. It also risks fuelling further violence and instability in Afghanistan, where the Afghan people have suffered enough, and could also create instability in the region.
The EU again calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to ensure safety and security of all Afghan citizens, to disclose full information about the circumstances of these attacks and about their investigations, and to hold those responsible to account following due process. All Afghan citizens, including ethnic and religious minorities deserve to live in safety, with full respect of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.