Declaration by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the acid attack on Afghan schoolgirls in Kandahar
- On: 14.11.2008
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union strongly condemns the cowardly, barbarous and cruel attack on several Afghan schoolgirls in Kandahar on 12 November who were sprayed with acid by men while on their way to school.
It expresses its deepest sympathy to these young girls – two of whom at least have lost their sight – and their families.
This human drama is another illustration of the daily violence to which many Afghan women can still be subjected, in spite of efforts and the progress achieved in promoting their rights since the fall of the Taliban regime.
Of these rights, the right to an education is fundamental. By attacking these young girls on the way to school the criminals wanted to attack this symbol of a new Afghanistan that the Afghan people are striving to build with the help of the international community and the promise of a better future for millions of Afghan children.
In these circumstances, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union assures the Afghan government of its solidarity so that the efforts undertaken since 2001 in favour of women, and particularly girls’ education, are continued and that the undeniable progress achieved in this area is consolidated and extended in the years to come.
- Updated: 23.12.2008
