Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Airstrikes in Kunduz, Afghanistan, Calls for Thorough Investigation

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrikes in Kunduz, Afghanistan, that resulted in the death and injury of medical workers and patients at a Médecins sans Frontières hospital on 3 October.

The Secretary-General recalls that hospitals and medical personnel are explicitly protected under international humanitarian law.  He calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into the attack in order to ensure accountability.

Médecins sans Frontières have been operating the only hospital in Kunduz under extremely trying conditions.  The Secretary-General commends the courageous and dedicated staff of the organization and extends his deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and injured in this attack.