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UN human rights chief says airstrikes on Kunduz hospital possibly criminal

Xinhua, October 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The latest airstrikes hitting a clinic in Kunduz killing and injuring many patients and medical personnel is "utterly tragic, inexcusable, and possibly even criminal", UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement on Monday.

"International and Afghan military planners have an obligation to respect and protect civilians at all times, and these obligations apply no matter whose air force is involved, and irrespective of the location," the UN human rights chief said.

In the early hours of the past Saturday air raids struck the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz, capital of the northern Kunduz province, killing at least 22 people, including three children.

Washington and Kabul have launched a joint investigation into the bombing, however, the MSF has called for an independent investigation into the attack.

According to MSF, pro-government forces had been informed of the precise location of the medical facilities and airstrikes continued to hit the area for a further 30 minutes after pro-government forces were informed they were endangering a medical facility.

A U.S. spokesperson has reportedly been quoted as saying U.S. planes were carrying out airstrikes at around the time the hospital was hit.

"It is essential to ensure any inquiry was independent, impartial, transparent and effective, and this deeply shocking event should be promptly, thoroughly and independently investigated and the results should be made public," Zeid said, adding that an airstrike on a hospital may amount to a war crime. Endit