A day after the Islamic State-claimed attack on Kabul University, that has claimed the lives of 22 so far, family members of the victims, students and civil society activist staged a protest in front of the campus.
The demonstrators gathered near the north gate of the university, demanding justice for the victims and the execution of those who helped the terrorists in carrying out the attack.
They called for the cancellation of the peace talks in Qatar until a ceasefire is declared as the university attack was the latest in the past months which led to massive civilian casualties. Posters on the walls of the campus, which many students were seen jumping over yesterday as they fled the gunbattle, read “Boycott Doha Talks” and “Republic Will Prevail.”
The more vocal activists shouted slogans of “We are many! You do not have enough bullets to kill us all!” and also condemned the government for its inaction and failure to protect their citizens.
They asked the U.S. government to reconsider their policy towards the Taliban and asked the Afghan government to withdraw all security and defence forces from “active defence” to offence.
The United Nations (UN) was called upon to include the Taliban and its allies in the terrorist blacklist, while the International Court of Justice in Hague was asked to try the Kabul University attack as a war crime and the Taliban as international terrorists.
An activist said she had given up hope on the government and asked the people to mobilise since their “daughters and sisters” are still in classrooms.
“We will continue our education. Who will protect us? Who is accountable?” they questioned.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Tuesday that envoys and leaders from over 40 nations and organisations have condemned the Kabul University attack, which according to Reuters, has claimed the lives of at least 35 victims so far.
Two government sources told Reuters that around 50 others were wounded in the attack claimed by Islamic State (Daesh), and most victims were students at the university.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement expressed his “deepest sympathies” to the families of the victims and said this was the second attack in the capital on an education facility in the last 10 days – after the Oct. 24 Kowsar-e Danesh suicide bombing, also claimed by IS-K.
He said the attack is also “an assault on the human right to education.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said they will continue to support Afghanistan’s “brave struggle” against terrorism.
Pakistan’s Special Representative Mohammad Sadiq condemned the “mindless” attack and said they condemn “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
Saudi Arabia also rejected “heinous acts” which target innocent lives and undermine security and stability.
The Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated their firm position of “rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of the motives and reasons. “
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation expressed their “permanent rejection” of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilising security in contravention of religious and humanitarian values and principles.
