report on Khaama Press, Dec 7, 2020 at 01:46 PM
KABUL, Afghanistan – In a joint statement Monday, the European Union Delegations based in Kabul “strongly” condemned the “unlawful attacks” on media practitioners and religious leaders, holding the Taliban accountable for civilian causalities across Afghanistan.
While the Afghan government – including international allies – put efforts together for peace and prosperity in the country, the Taliban seem to have doubled up violence throughout Afghanistan that target journalists, religious scholars, human rights activist and students to name a few.
“We consider these not only as savage attacks against Afghan blood, but as an attack on the very peace process in Afghanistan,” the statement read. “Recognizing the bravery of Afghanistan’s people, we are confident that these attacks will fail in their intent to silence the diversity of opinions.”
Addressing efforts on peace process since early September, the EU delegation call for all-inclusive negotiations that will open the doors for Afghans in all walks of life to freely express and actively engage in building a peaceful country.
“It has never mattered more for the people of Afghanistan to feel able to express themselves freely and provide their opinions on the peace talks, as well as engage in the process, to achieve an inclusive and sustainable peace,” the statement read.
“Upholding the free flow of information and holding the perpetrators accountable will benefit everyone who wishes to live in a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, the delegations praised media practitioners in Afghanistan for advancing “freedom of expressing and freedom of press” despite ongoing threats to their lives.
“We honor all those in Afghanistan who work tirelessly to advance freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” the statement said.
“Our respective missions expect that all parties to the conflict will protect the freedom and the independence of the media and civil society in Afghanistan, which is indispensable to a vibrant, functioning, and economically viable democracy.”
EU delegation reaffirm commitment to champion the freedom of all the Afghan people, calling for immediate compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
