Abdullah at Geneva: No Place is Safe in Afghanistan

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said the international terrorist networks recruit and train children to carry out even suicide attacks, insisting that no place is safe in Afghanistan.   

Addressing the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Abdullah said the Afghan people’s human rights are being challenged by terror and armed groups, “who are in most operating from foreign-based sanctuaries.”

He said civilians and the security forces are the main victims of indiscriminate bombings and suicide attacks.

“No place is safe. Mosques, hospitals, schools, universities, media centres, markets and other soft targets are all vulnerable,” Abdullah stated.  

He also said that Afghan children have been subject of various violations, displacement, lawlessness and poverty.

He said despite of weak infrastructures and closure of schools in restive provinces, currently more than nine million children  are going to school. “Almost all children receive vaccination across the country and recruitment of children in military formations is forbidden.”

However, he stated that Afghanistan is still facing numerous challenges caused by international terror networks “who recruit, train and deploy children – even as suicide attackers.”

“Over the past 16 years, we have tried to change our children’s condition for the better through investment in education, health care, public awareness and laws that protect and prevent abuse,” he said.