The United Nations Security Council has condemned the “atrocious” Kabul School attack that killed nearly 70 people, mostly children aged between 12-15 years, in the West Kabul area dominated by the country’s Hazara minority.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Afghanistan and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured,” the Security Council said in a statement on Monday.

The council also expressed “deep concern” about the continuing high level of violence and the security situation in Afghanistan, especially the number of civilian casualties. They also urged the parties to the conflict to take sustained efforts to minimize the civilian casualty. 

Recalling the role of education in peace and security, the members expressed grave concern about the significant number of attacks on schools and education facilities in Afghanistan in recent months. These attacks, the council said, would threaten the right to education of Afghans.  

Condemning terrorism, the Security Council underlined the need to hold “perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”