UN concerned about vulnerability of Shiites in Afghanistan

The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), addressed the Security Council on Wednesday, emphasizing the critical human rights situation in Afghanistan, including systemic discrimination against women and girls, and the urgent need for continued international attention.

Roza Otunbayeva also expressed concern about the ongoing rise of systematic attacks against Shiites and Hazaras in the Southeastern Asian country, and the vulnerability of Shiites in Afghanistan.

Highlighting the disproportionate risks faced by the Shia community, she mentioned recent attacks claimed by ISIL-KP.

According to the UN official, three recent attacks against Shia communities killing 39 people were documented in the period covered by the Secretary-General’s latest report, and three further targeted attacks on Shia clerics in Herat killed nine members of the Shia community.

Earlier, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights voiced serious concern about the increase in targeted attacks against Hazara Shiites in Afghanistan, and called for an independent investigation in this regard.