KABUL - It is with great sadness that I confirm the loss of a colleague, Ms. Toorpaki Ulfat, who was assassinated in Kandahar city this morning.

Ms. Ulfat, who had worked the past five years for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), was a respected human rights defender. Her commitment was not dimmed by the challenging security environment. She represented the best of what Afghan youth have to offer. Her ideals and enthusiasm were an inspiration to her colleagues and to those she helped.

Initial reports indicate that Ms. Ulfat was killed by gunfire from unknown persons on a motorcycle. The motive behind this murder is to be determined but the Mission will do all it can together with local authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The UN notes that violence carried out against its personnel constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.

UNAMA is angered by this senseless killing and our thoughts are with the family of Ms. Ulfat.