UN officials condemn killing of aid workers in Afghanistan
United Nations officials in Kabul today deplored the murder of two Afghan aid workers who died of gunshot wounds near
Kandahar earlier this week.
David Singh, a spokesman for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned “in the strongest possible terms
the vicious and deliberate killing” of the victims, who were working for the Voluntary Association for Rehabilitation of
Afghanistan (VARA), a local non-governmental organization (NGO) which partners with the UN High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR).
The incident took place on Wednesday, when assailants, who were in a taxi, attempted to divert a VARA vehicle. When the
driver refused, they opened fire and shot one worker, killing him instantly. The driver sustained serious injuries and
died the following day in the Coalition hospital in Kandahar.
“These acts are being committed against dedicated Afghans who, on a daily basis and in spite of the risk, deliver
critical services to their own people,” Mr. Singh said. “These crimes can have no justification.”
Under international law, attacks knowingly and intentionally directed against personnel involved in humanitarian
assistance constitute war crimes, Mr. Singh pointed out. “These recent killings once more confirm the critical necessity
for all parties concerned to establish security throughout the country,” he said.
UNHCR spokesperson Maki Shinohara echoed the condemnation. “VARA is one of our implementing partners in southern
Afghanistan, providing shelter and operating several transit centres” for refugees. “The Afghan NGO is working in remote
communities, helping Afghans return to their homes.”
Two suspects in Wednesday's attack have been arrested by the authorities. The UNHCR spokesperson voiced hope that the
perpetrators would be brought to justice and that security would be improved as soon as possible so that the agency can
fully resume its assistance operation in the area.
The spokesperson also addressed the broader problem of attacks on humanitarian personnel. “We are shocked and angered by
the brutal targeting of aid workers, which is happening all too frequently these days.”
A number of relief staff in Afghanistan have been killed this year. Two weeks ago, four Afghans working with the Danish
aid agency DACAAR were murdered in Ghazni.