KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – United Nations experts have called on the Taliban and Pakistan to “commit to a permanent ceasefire, resolve the root causes of conflict, and ensure accountability for violations of international law.”
In a statement, they also condemned Pakistan’s attack on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul and expressed sympathy with the families of the victims. “We condemn this attack, express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the experts said.
On March 16, Pakistani airstrikes hit a drug rehabilitation center in the eastern part of Kabul, killing at least 143 people according to the UN, while the Taliban reported 400 killed and 250 injured. UN agencies and rights groups have called for an independent investigation.
According to the statement by UN experts, since the start of clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan on February 26, 289 people have been killed or injured in Afghanistan. Civilian infrastructure—including healthcare centers, homes, markets, and displacement sites—has been damaged, schools and border crossings have been closed, and trade has been halted.
The UN experts also expressed concern over civilian casualties resulting from Taliban attacks in Pakistan, the displacement of people, and the closure of schools.
They urged both sides to respect international law and international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian objects, and conduct prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into all alleged human rights violations, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide reparations to victims.
Referring to Pakistan’s claim that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operates from Afghan territory, the UN experts stated: “All authorities, including the Taliban, must diligently prevent terrorist groups like the TTP from threatening the human right to life, including outside their own borders.”
They emphasized that under international law, no country should allow terrorist activities to be carried out from its territory against another country, as this may constitute intervention or the unlawful use of force.
The UN experts also stated that Pakistan’s attacks on Afghanistan violate the prohibition on the use of force under Article 2 of the UN Charter and customary international law. “Pakistan’s attack on Afghanistan violates the prohibition on the use of force under article 2 of the United Nations Charter and customary international law. There is no right of self-defence unless the Taliban first attacked Pakistan or sent the TTP to attack it,” the experts said.
According to them, Pakistan has not published credible evidence showing that TTP attacks were directed or controlled by Taliban authorities.
The UN experts further noted that the International Court of Justice has rejected the argument that the mere presence of armed groups in one country gives another country the right to self-defense. They also pointed out that Pakistan has not informed the UN Security Council of its claim of self-defense, as required under the UN Charter.
They added: “The unlawful use of force means that Pakistan has violated the human right to life of all individuals killed in these attacks. Some attacks resulting in civilian casualties may have also violated international humanitarian law.”
The UN experts also stated that “While States have a duty to protect their populations from terrorist threats, they must do so in full compliance with international law.”
They said that “Cross-border infiltration by terrorist groups may be lawfully addressed through the proportionate use of force inside Pakistan, and peaceful counter-measures against the Taliban authorities.”
The UN experts emphasized that “Under international law, the parties must seek the peaceful settlement of disputes that endanger international security.”
Clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan have been ongoing for more than three weeks.
During this period, Pakistan has carried out air and rocket attacks on various areas in Afghanistan, while the Taliban have attacked Pakistani border posts and targeted locations inside Pakistan with drones.
Both sides declared a temporary ceasefire on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.
This ceasefire ended at midnight on Monday, but no new incidents of clashes between the two sides have been reported so far.
