Geneva, March 18: Amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has urged effective measures to end violence and ensure the protection of civilians under international human rights law.
The call for an investigation follows a tragic attack on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, reportedly resulting in the deaths of hundreds of patients. Turk emphasized the necessity of delivering humanitarian aid to those in need.
He stated, “A tragic explosion occurred on Monday night at a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, allegedly killing many patients. There must be an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation, and those responsible should be held accountable according to international standards. The results of the investigation should be made public. Victims and their families have the right to compensation.”
This statement comes as Afghan officials claim that over 400 people were killed and 250 others injured in a Pakistani airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, which has a capacity of two thousand beds, located in the Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul.
Witnesses described scenes of devastation at the hospital site, where hundreds were searching for their relatives.
The UN Human Rights Office stated, “International humanitarian law strictly protects civilians and civilian property. The laws of war clearly indicate that any attack must adhere to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions. Medical institutions are afforded special and additional protection.”
Before this latest attack, hundreds of Afghan civilians, including women and children, had already been killed or injured amid rising tensions between the two countries over the past month. Continuous fighting has also displaced thousands.
Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Kani warned on Tuesday that the country would respond decisively to the deadly airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul.
Kani noted that rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams searching for bodies under the rubble, as reported by Ariana News based in Afghanistan.
He stated that Afghanistan views this recent attack as a significant provocation and has warned of an appropriate response.
Kani reiterated that such attacks cannot go unanswered and emphasized that the Kabul government considers this incident a violation of its sovereignty.
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