United Nations published this video item, entitled “UN Secretary-General on Afghanistan – Media Stakeout (13 Aug 2021)” – below is their description.
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan at Media Stakeout
Secretary-General António Guterres today (13 Aug) said, “Afghanistan is spinning out of control,” and called on the Taliban “to immediately halt the offensive and to negotiate in good faith in the interest of Afghanistan and its people.”
The Secretary-General said, “Even a country that has tragically known generations of conflict, Afghanistan is in the throes of yet another chaotic and desperate chapter – an incredible tragedy for its long-suffering people.”
Continued urban conflict, he said, “will mean continued carnage — with civilians paying the highest price.”
Guterres called on “all parties to take heed of the conflict’s heavy toll and its devastating impact on civilians,” remind them “of their legal and moral obligation to take all measures to protect civilians.”
Directing attacks against civilians, he stressed, “is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime.”
The Secretary-General expressed hope that discussions in Doha, Qatar “will restore the pathway to a negotiated settlement to the conflict.”
More than 1,000 people have been killed or injured from indiscriminate attacks against civilians in the past month, notably in Helmand, Kandahar, and Herat provinces. At least 241,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes, and humanitarian needs are growing rapidly, and there are increasing reports of human rights violations.
United Nations YouTube Channel
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