The United Nations Human Rights Office issued a forceful statement Tuesday condemning the deadly airstrike on Kabul’s Omidi Addiction Treatment Center, where Pakistani jets allegedly killed more than 400 patients and staff. High Commissioner Volker Turk reiterated the imperative for all parties to safeguard civilians and deliver humanitarian aid unimpeded.
‘Such incidents underscore the urgent need for immediate, impartial probes,’ Turk said, referencing the Monday night assault on the Pul-e-Charkhi facility. He stressed accountability, public disclosure of investigation results, and justice for victims, including reparations for bereaved families.
Afghan authorities claim the strike targeted a civilian drug rehab hospital packed with vulnerable individuals seeking recovery. Survivors recount harrowing tales of chaos: explosions ripping through wards, fires engulfing buildings, and rescuers pulling survivors from wreckage.
International humanitarian law explicitly shields healthcare sites from attack, prohibiting indiscriminate or disproportionate force. Yet, this follows a pattern of intensified clashes displacing thousands and killing civilians across Afghanistan.
Interior Ministry’s Abdul Mateen Qane labeled the bombing a ‘major act of aggression,’ promising retaliation while teams persist in recovery efforts. The UN’s plea arrives at a critical juncture, as regional instability threatens broader peace efforts and aid delivery to those in desperate need.