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Khalilzad, international community condemns AIHRC attack
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad condemned yesterday’s attack on Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission employees, calling it “an anti-human act”.
“The targeted killing of Fatima Khalil and Jawid Folad today, two Afghans dedicated to the cause of fundamental human rights, is an anti-human act. We condemn this terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms,” Khalilzad tweeted.
“Those opposed to peace start fires they hope spread quickly and smolder indefinitely. We support the overwhelming demand of Afghans to overcome these odds and continue the march to a permanent and dignified peace and an Afghanistan in which everyone’s rights are respected,” Khalilzad said in a separate tweet.
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) June 28, 2020
Fatima Khalil, a Donor Liaison Officer and Jawid Folad, a driver of the AIHRC were killed after their vehicle was targeted by an IED at Butkhak Square PD^12 of Kabul city on Saturday morning.
“I did not know them personally. I understand that Fatima was a courageous young person deeply dedicated to human rights for all Afghans, rights which are universal & Jawid was a long-time AIHRC employee doing his valued part,” US Envoy sai.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban militant group denied its involvement in the incident.
The attack was widely condemned by local and international communities.
The Presidential Ashraf Ghani condemned the “terrorist attack” and directed the authorities to investigate the attack thoroughly.
Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation expressed his condolences, “I ask that the authorities take these repetitive attacks seriously and put more effort protecting civilians and combating terrorism.”
The Afghanistan IHRC urged the government to bring the culprits to justice.
“We condemn such a heinous attack on our employees in the strongest possible terms. As of now, no group has claimed the responsibility of the attack and the perpetrators have not been identified yet. Those responsible should be identified after an investigation and brought to justice for committing this terrible crime,” AIHRC said in a statement.
US Chargé d’Affaires Ross Wilson said that the attack is “unacceptable”.
— Chargé d’Affaires Ross Wilson (@USAmbKabul) June 27, 2020
“We call on all those who love Afghanistan to break this cycle of violence and death, to end the impunity and indignity of such attacks on the Afghan people, and to work for peace.ow those who defend human rights and liberty. These attacks must end,” Wilson said.
UNAMA said that the killing of human rights defenders has no justification, saying an immediate investigation needed with perpetrators held to account.
— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) June 27, 2020
Meanwhile, the UK, Italy, Pakistan Germany Sweden, and a number of other countries condemned the “horrible attack”, urging “senseless violence against human rights defenders has to STOP.”
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UNAMA marks World Literacy Day, emphasizes need to promote education
“Let’s use its power for a more inclusive world & join our mission to making literacy accessible for everyone everywhere!” the post read.
Marking World Literacy Day on Sunday, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a post on X that literacy has the potential to promote mutual understanding, social cohesion and peace.
“Let’s use its power for a more inclusive world & join our mission to making literacy accessible for everyone everywhere!” the post read.
In a separate statement, UNAMA said: “Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship.
“Literacy is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors to foster a culture of lasting peace based on respect for equality and non-discrimination, the rule of law, solidarity, justice, diversity, and tolerance and to build harmonious relations with oneself, other people and the planet.”
For high school girls in Afghanistan, this day was yet another sad one for them as they are barred from going to school or university.
Some experts have said denying education to 50% of the population will result in a greater degree of illiteracy in the country
On the other hand, some experts believe that taking away the right to education for girls will lead to a “backward” society and a higher degree of illiteracy.
Other experts have also suggested that the young generation should not be denied an education.
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Clashes along Afghanistan-Pakistan boundary brought under control
Reports indicate two Pakistani security posts were destroyed in the clash,
A clash between Pakistani and Afghan border forces in Zazi Maidan district in Khost provinces was brought to an end after the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs stepped in.
Reports indicate two Pakistani security posts were destroyed in the clash,
Multiple reports also indicated that at least five Pakistan soldiers, including an officer, and four Afghan border guards had been injured in the skirmish.
Meanwhile, officials from the ministry said Sunday that in the past year they marked a long section of the border with Pakistan.
They said the ministry resolved 304 major conflicts and 525 lesser cases of enmity in this time. Hundreds of people reportedly lost their lives in this time and huge financial losses were incurred.
Officials also said border protection is one of the priorities of this ministry and serious efforts have been made in this sector in the past year.
In order to maintain the official borders, officials said the ministry assessed the boundaries with Iran and Turkmenistan and the disputed Durand Line with Pakistan.
Also, in the past year, the ministry has shared 700 environmental problems with officials of the relevant departments and implemented 400 projects in this sector.
This ministry also conducted research in the fields of agriculture, population, area, livestock and development in eight provinces of the country.
In addition, more than 7,000 people are currently enrolled in the ministry’s colleges.
The ministry also provided cash assistance to a number of nomadic families and has built 100 mobile health teams, 11 clinics and 60 animal treatment centers across the country.
A clash between Afghan and Pakistani security forces has occurred in the Zazi Maidan district of southeastern Khost province, resulting in casualties on both sides.
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Norway donates $1.8 million to Afghanistan
Expressing gratitude for the Norwegian aid, OCHA said that Oslo has contributed 189 million Krone ($70 million) to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund in the last 10 years.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid in Afghanistan (OCHA) announced Sunday that Norway has donated 1.8 million to the country for aid purposes.
OCHA posted a message on X on Sunday that the money was donated to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF).
Expressing gratitude for the Norwegian aid, OCHA said that Oslo has contributed 189 million Krone ($70 million) to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund in the last 10 years.
This institution announced last month that only 25% of the $3.06 billion dollars needed for Afghanistan in 2024 has been provided.
At that time, OCHA requested countries and donor organizations to provide more help from the international community in order to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
About two months ago, OCHA reported that 23.7 million people in Afghanistan need humanitarian aid.
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