UNICEF voices concern over Kabul school blast — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern over Monday evening’s blast at a school in Kabul’s Dasht-e-Barchi area, calling for the safety, dignity and rights of all children to be protected. In a statement, UNICEF said 42 children were injured in the blast. It described the incident as concerning, saying it once again highlighted the need to protect children and ensure access to essential services they need. UNICEF stressed that schools are protected under international law and should be safe places where children can learn and grow without fear of violence or harm. The agency also supported calls for a comprehensive investigation into the incident and urged respect for and protection of the safety, dignity and rights of all children at all times. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Amnesty International also called on Tuesday for a comprehensive, independent and impartial investigation into the blast and for the protection of educational facilities and civilians. The blast occurred at the private Shama-e-Hidayat School in Mahdia Town, in the 18th police district of Dasht-e-Barchi, Kabul city. A security source had told Pajhwok that 52 people were injured in the incident.