UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his deep frustration over intensification of violence that inflicted casualties on civilians since March of 2020 in Afghanistan. He called on the warring parties to halt violence and agree on a ceasefire.  

In a report formed by the UN over Afghanistan’s situation during last three months, Guterres said that Afghans are facing severe challenges because of war, poverty, insecurity and the outbreak of the pandemic covid-19.

Highlighting the two deadly attacks on the maternity ward in the neighborhood of capital Kabul and another one on a Sikh temple, Guterres said that such violence should be stopped in immediate move.

He also emphasized on trust building measures between the militants and Afghan government to end the longest violence to facility the start of the intra-Afghan-negotiations. Guterres hoped over the recent progress in the Afghan peace process.

A lasting peace is possible; he said when all aspects of the society are included in the process.

The UN Secretary General has hailed the power sharing agreement signed between the two Afghan leaders; President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, saying that the agreement was necessary for ending the political deadlock in Afghanistan.

He called on the Afghan government to pay attention to the legislative and economic situation of the Afghan women regarding combating the coronavirus. The countrywide spread of the pandemic virus could affect the women’s rights gained during past two decades, the report said. “The human rights is still a serious concern in Afghanistan.”

http://www.afghanistantimes.af/stop-killing-civilians-afghan-warring-sides-told/