Afghanistan: UN Urges Release Of Kidnapped Worker

Afghanistan: UN Relief Chief Urges Immediate Release Of Kidnapped Aid Worker

New York, Nov 3 2008 1:10PM

The top United Nations relief official has called for the immediate and unconditional release of an aid worker kidnapped today in Kabul and deplored the killing of an Afghan citizen shot while trying to prevent the incident.

Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes strongly condemned the abduction of the aid worker, who serves as a consultant for Amitié Franco-Afghane (AFRANE), a non-governmental organization (NGO) active in education and development in Afghanistan.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks against civilians in the strife-torn nation. Just two weeks ago Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian NGO known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead in Kabul on her way to work.

Mr. Holmes, who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, voiced his deep concern about the worsening trend of killings and abductions of both civilians and aid workers in Afghanistan.

In a statement issued in New York, he “reminds the Government of Afghanistan and all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect civilians, including all aid workers.”

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