Amnesty International strongly condemns the attack on the United Nations compound in Mazar Sharif that killed at up to 10 civilian UN staff and extends its sympathy to their families. The attack is the worst on the UN in Afghanistan since the United States and its allies helped oust the Taleban in 2001. Amnesty International calls on the Afghan government to ensure a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

"The Afghan government must act immediately to bring the perpetrators to justice. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Afghan government to protect Afghans and foreign nationals from violence committed by extremist groups.  A culture of impunity and continued lack of accountability for human rights abuses has severely eroded the rule of law in Afghanistan," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Director.

"Millions of Afghans remain dependent on international assistance for basic needs such as food, water, healthcare and education. This latest attack on the UN significantly harms the already constrained ability of UN and other aid workers to assist Afghans. The government must also do more to ensure the full protection of Afghan and international aid workers and other humanitarian personnel  working in Afghanistan."

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