UN Agencies Call for Investigation Into Kabul School Explosion
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern over the injury of 42 children aged 9 to 14 following an explosion at a school in Shahrak-e-Mahdia in Kabul.
UNICEF said the alarming incident was yet another reminder of the need to protect children and the essential services they rely on at all times.
According to the UN agency, “Schools are protected under international law and must remain safe places where children can learn and thrive, free from fear, violence and harm.”
UNICEF echoed calls for a thorough investigation into the incident and urged that the safety, dignity and rights of all children be respected and protected at all times.
Meanwhile, the Office of the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict also expressed deep concern over reports that dozens of children were injured in the explosion and, like UNICEF, called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The office stressed: “Schools must remain zones of peace. Children deserve special protection. Everywhere and always.”
The explosion, which occurred near a school in Kabul’s Dasht-e-Barchi area at around 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 17 July, and injured dozens of children, prompted international reactions. In addition to UNICEF and the Office of the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, the European Union, UNAMA and Amnesty International were among those that responded to the incident.
