Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson
of the High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
On the terrorist attack on a mosque in Afghanistan
New York – 18 October 2019
The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a mosque in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province that killed at least 62 worshippers and wounded dozens of people during Friday prayers, according to news reports.
The High Representative stresses that all forms of violence and acts of terror targeting religious sites and worshipers, regardless of their faiths and beliefs, are unjustifiable.
He recalls the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, which was developed by UNAOC and launched by the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres on 12 September 2019 . He emphasized the urgency of rallying around this plan and take create steps towards its implementation to guarantee the sanctity of religious sites and the safety of worshipers.
The High Representative for UNAOC expresses his condolences to the victims’ families and the Government and people of Afghanistan and wishes a speedy recovery to those who were injured in the attack.