Powerful Women’s Movement Condemns Deadly Attack on Shia Community in Herat

Sent to ZAN TV

The Afghanistan Powerful Women’s Movement has condemned the recent attack on Shia citizens in Herat province.

In a statement, the movement said the incident reflects the continued systematic targeting of religious groups in Afghanistan.

The statement said that the Shia community in Afghanistan has consistently been exposed to threats, discrimination and violence, and that repeated attacks on mosques, educational centres and religious gatherings demonstrate the vulnerability of this group to extremism and terrorism.

The movement called on the international community, the United Nations and human rights organisations to take immediate and effective action in response to these incidents, conduct independent investigations and ensure accountability of those responsible.

This comes as at least 11 people were killed and around 11 to 15 others injured in an armed attack on Friday (10 April) in the “Deh Miri” village of Injil district in Herat. Unidentified armed men on motorcycles attacked a recreational site near a Shia shrine and opened fire on people.

Attacks on gatherings and ceremonies associated with Shia communities in Afghanistan have a history, and in previous cases, the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for such attacks.