The Women’s Justice Movement strongly condemns the armed attack against civilians in Deh Mehr area, Injil District of Herat Province, in the strongest possible terms. We consider this incident a blatant violation of human rights, a clear assault on the right to life, and a grave and unjustifiable crime against civilians.

According to initial reports, the attack occurred while a number of local residents had gathered near the shrine of “Sayed Mohammad Agha.” As a result of this violent incident, several civilians have been killed and injured, including women and children among the victims. Although the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, the human toll of this tragedy is deeply alarming, devastating, and cannot be ignored.

Disturbing accounts from eyewitnesses indicate that the attackers separated the men and executed them in front of their family members, and subsequently targeted women and children as well. If confirmed, these acts constitute one of the most severe and horrific forms of targeted violence against civilian populations under international human rights law and fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

The Afghanistan Women’s Justice Movement extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the wounded, and all residents of Herat Province. We emphasize that this atrocity requires an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation.

We call on relevant authorities, national and international human rights institutions, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and all concerned bodies to urgently launch a prompt, independent, impartial, and effective investigation, to identify and hold accountable the perpetrators, organizers, and supporters of this attack, and to take immediate and practical measures to protect civilians—particularly religious minorities and vulnerable communities.

We stress that the continuation of impunity for perpetrators of violence only enables the repetition of such crimes. Silence in the face of such atrocities is complicity.

The Women’s Justice Movement once again emphasizes the urgent need for justice, accountability, and effective protection of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan, and calls on the international community to take a clear, responsible, and concrete stance in response to this tragedy.

With respect and solidarity,
Women’s Justice Movement
#Herat