UNAMA condemns the deliberate killing of 26 civilians in Ghor

26 Oct 2016

UNAMA condemns the deliberate killing of 26 civilians in Ghor

KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns yesterday’s killing of 26 civilians by a group of armed men in Ghor province.

The assailants deliberately shot and killed the male civilians in the Ghalmin area of Chaghcharan district in Ghor province after having taken them hostage earlier the same day while they collected fire-wood in the Kasi area of Firozokh. Reports received by UNAMA indicate that the armed men killed the hostages in retaliation for the death of their commander during fighting with Afghan National Security Forces. The fate of a number of other hostages remains unknown.

“I am outraged by these senseless and brutal killings,” said Pernille Kardel, the Secretary General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and acting head of UNAMA. “This is an atrocity and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”

UNAMA recalls that the murder of civilians, as well as the taking of civilian hostages, are serious violations of international humanitarian law that all parties to the armed conflict – including all anti-Government elements – are required to uphold. UNAMA urges the unconditional release of any remaining hostages.

UNAMA expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.