deadly gunfire on protesters in Badakhshan

Parliament reacts against deadly gunfire on protesters in Badakhshan

Reacting against the deadly shooting at protesters in the northeastern Badakhshan province, the Parliament has termed it as “unacceptable” and a violation of the constitution.

“Shooting the protesters by Zakaria Sawda, Badakhshan’s governor, and the authorities of this province is unacceptable,” said Mir Rahman Rahmani, speaker of the Parliament, today, June 09. He went on to denounce the violent act as violation of the constitution and contradictory to the citizens’ values.

A large number of Badakhshan residents came to the street in Faizabad, capital city of the province, on Tuesday, June 08, to protest against insecurity and shortage of power and water supplies. The protest started around 09:00 AM and turned violent.

At least four protesters were killed and 45 others were wounded as a result of shooting and stoning, according to Noor Khawar, director of Badakhshan’s Public Health Directorate.

Rahmani has instructed the Parliament’s internal security committee to investigate the case and share the results in the general assembly of the Parliament in order to make an appropriate decision.

Nik Mohammad Nazari, spokesperson for Badakhshan governor, said that angry protestors have set a number of governmental offices on fire. They damaged part of provincial building’s wall and destroyed several military vehicles after attacking the military facilities, he added.

According to him, the protestors carried bats and stones attacked security forces and wounded a number of them.

Mujibullah Hamidi, a local journalist in Badakhshan, who accompanied protestors for news coverage said the security forces started shooting the protesters after they tried to storm the governor office.

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), has called for an independent committee to investigate the violence, with participation of the victims’ families.

Pointing to the national and international humanitarian laws, the AIHRC noted that the Afghan government is obliged to ensure security of the protesters and address their legitimate demands.

The protest has continued today. Mr. Hamidi said protestors have already blocked the roads to Shahr e Naw and Shahr e Kuhna, Faizabad.