Statement by the Delegation of the European Union to Afghanistan on the UNAMA report on civilian casualties in the Afghan conflict

28.10.2020
Kabul

The European Union considers the high level of civilian casualties in the conflict in Afghanistan as unacceptable. Compared to the same period in 2019, the overall civilian casualties have only decreased by 30 percent, as reported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) yesterday.

Afghanistan remains one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for children. They accounted for one third of all civilian casualties in the first nine months of 2020.

Ground engagements, mainly between the Taliban and the Afghan national security forces, are the primary cause of civilian casualties. It is worrying that the number of civilian casualties caused by airstrikes increased significantly.

The European Union repeats its stance on the central role of International Humanitarian Law in an armed conflict to protect civilians.

This violence takes place against the backdrop of ongoing peace negotiations. But killings and peace talks cannot go hand in hand. Therefore, the European Union joins the Afghan people longing for peace by reiterating its call for an immediate, comprehensive, nationwide and unconditional ceasefire respected by both parties.