The United Kingdom, European Union (EU), Norway and the United Nations have voiced concern over a Pakistani military regime strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, stressing the need to protect civilians and resolve the conflict through dialogue.
Pakistan’s military regime carried out the strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in the 9th police district of Kabul on Monday night.
At least 400 people were martyred and 250 others wounded.
Calling for restraint, EU urged all sides to take immediate steps to reduce harm to civilians and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
In a statement, it said attacks on civilians and medical facilities violated international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) also called for a prompt, independent and transparent investigation into the incident, with those responsible held accountable in line with international standards.
It said the findings must be made public and victims and their families should receive reparations.
It added that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian objects were fully protected.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway expressed deep concern over the attack, saying medical facilities and patients must never be targeted.
The ministry urged all parties to exercise restraint, resolve disputes through dialogue and address security concerns peacefully.
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Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, also expressed concern, saying: “We have witnessed the devastating impact of this incident on civilians and a hospital, which reportedly caused heavy casualties.”
He said all parties must fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians.
Richard Lindsay, the UK’s special representative for Afghanistan, also expressed concern and said both sides should resolve their issues through dialogue.
