Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Kabul

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms

the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack that occurred on 23 July, in
Kabul for which local affiliates of ISIL [Islamic State in Iraq and the
Levant/Daesh] has claimed responsibility. Two explosions occurred at
Dehmazang square targeting a peaceful demonstration which resulted in
at least 80 people killed and more than 230 wounded.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and
condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and
Government of Afghanistan and welcomed their unity in confronting this
tragedy. They wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at
the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, Islamic State in Iraq and the
Levant [ISIL/Daesh], illegal and armed groups to the local population,
National Defence and Security Forces and international presence in
Afghanistan.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring
perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible
acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their
obligations under international law and relevant Security Council
resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this
regard.
The members of the Security Council stressed the need to take measures
to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations
and individual terrorists, in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and
2253 (2015).
The members of the Security Council reiterated that terrorism in all its
forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its
motivation and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever it is committed,
and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or
ethnic group.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all States to
combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations
and other obligations under international law, in particular international
human rights law, international refugee law and international
humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by
terrorist acts.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that no violent or terrorist
acts can reverse the Afghan-led process along the path towards peace,
democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people
and the Government of Afghanistan and by the international community.

23 July 2016