Norway condemns attack on Red Cross in Afghanistan

The local office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Jalalabad was attacked on 29 May by unidentified armed men. An Afghan guard was killed and one expatriate staff member was slightly injured in the attack.  

“We condemn the attack in the strongest possible terms. The ICRC has had a presence in Afghanistan since 1987 and has worked to assist and protect the civilian population. Attacks on humanitarian aid workers have widespread repercussions for the conflict-affected population and they are completely unacceptable,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. 

“It is essential to grasp every opportunity to promote respect for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law vis-à-vis all parties to the conflict,” Mr Eide said. 

Norway has just hosted an international conference aimed at strengthening the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. This attack shows how crucial it is to continue these efforts.