Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, condemned a deadly attack on civilians in Baghlan Province, calling it a “deplorable” example of the grave threats facing religious minorities in the country.
“Yesterday’s killing of at least 10 Sufi Muslims in a mosque in Nahrin, Baghlan, Afghanistan, is deplorable,” Mr. Bennett said in a statement. “My condolences to the families. Religious minorities remain under grave threat. All Afghans have the right to worship in peace. More prevention, protection, and justice are needed.”
Details of the Baghlan attack
The comments came in response to a Thursday night assault on a shrine in the Nahrin district of Baghlan that left 10 people dead. According to local sources, the victims were members of the Sufi order and were engaged in zikr, a form of devotional prayer, when gunmen stormed the shrine.
The Taliban, who described the attack as “mysterious,” said it took place in the khanqah, or Sufi lodge, within the shrine. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack underscores the precarious situation faced by Afghanistan’s religious minorities, including Sufi Muslims, Shiites, and other small sects. Bennett’s remarks reflect growing international concern about the safety of these groups in the country.
Human rights observers warn that repeated attacks on religious minorities could have serious implications for Afghanistan’s security and its prospects for peaceful coexistence.
