New Delhi (NVI): In a joint statement released today, the European Union (EU) Delegation and the diplomatic missions in Afghanistan have condemned the targeted killings and kidnappings in the country, even as Afghan-Taliban peace talks are underway.
The EU Delegation and the diplomatic missions of Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States said that the continuation of assassinations, kidnappings, and destruction of vital infrastructure directly harm the Afghan people, reports TOLO News.
“The violence is targeted at civil society, judicial, media, religious, medical and civilian government representatives who are essential to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan,” said the joint statement.
“The Taliban bears responsibility for the majority of this targeted violence, and its attacks undermine state institutions and contribute to an insecure environment in which terrorist and criminal groups are able to freely operate,” it said.
The joint statement by EU and International Missions in the country has called on the government of Afghanistan to more actively and transparently investigate these attacks to ensure that those who instigate and carry out violence against the population are identified and brought to justice.
In December, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad had also condemned the recent targeted killings in Afghanistan and said that these attacks must stop as they threaten the peace process.
-ARK
