Following the strike on Kabul’s Omid rehabilitation centre point, High Representative/Vice President Kallas and Commissioner Lahbib issued a joint statement yesterday, reaffirming EU’s commitment to the protection of civilians and calling for an immediate ceasefire:
The strike on a medical facility in Kabul is another deadly escalation in a conflict that needs to end as soon as possible.
Civilian and medical facilities must never be targeted as they are protected under International Humanitarian Law, including the Geneva Conventions. All parties engaged in military operations have the obligation to respect these provisions under all circumstances.
We call on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take all feasible measures to minimise the risk of harming civilians.
The EU joins calls by the international community for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.
The joint statement is available online.
