UN condemns murder of 7 civilians in Zabul

The United Nations condemns the murder of seven civilians in southern Zabul province of Afghanistan, a statement released by UN on Wednesday said.

“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the murder by anti-Government elements of seven civilians, including two women, one girl and two boys, in the southern province of Zabul.”

According to the statement the seven civilians were abducted last month and executed between 6 and 8 November in Arghandab district while armed clashes were reported there between two rival groups of anti-Government elements. 

The statement quoting Nicholas Haysom the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA says,” The deliberate murder of civilian hostages, including women and children, is particularly abhorren and these senseless murders may amount to war crimes and the perpetrators must be held accountable”.

UNAMA recalls that the murder of civilians, as well as the taking of civilian hostages, are serious violations of international humanitarian law that all parties to the armed conflict – including all anti-Government elements – are required to uphold.

The UN mission also expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims.