UN Special Rapporteur Demands Accountability for Cross-Border Attacks in Kunar
Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan for the Human Rights Council, has called for those responsible for the recent artillery attacks by Pakistan on civilian areas in Kunar province to be held accountable. On Tuesday, April 26, he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account that protecting civilians is a fundamental principle of international law and must not be violated.
Bennett also emphasized the need for prompt, independent, and comprehensive investigations into both the recent and past incidents. He stated that clarifying the details of these attacks is essential to ensuring justice and preventing the recurrence of such events.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) referred to the shelling of Syed Jamaluddin Afghan University and other civilian areas in Kunar, asserting that educational institutions must be protected from all forms of attacks. UNAMA has not provided precise casualty figures related to these incidents.
The Taliban administration announced yesterday that these attacks resulted in three deaths and 45 injuries. According to their report, the shelling targeted the Dangam and Shiltan districts, as well as the Syed Jamaluddin Afghan University in Asadabad city.
Kunar province is located in eastern Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan, and has witnessed cross-border clashes and attacks in recent years. These events have consistently raised concerns regarding the safety of civilians in the region.
