MEPs demand independent investigation into Kunduz hospital attack

The European Parliament (EP) demanded Wednesday an independent investigation into the U.S.-led airstrike on Oct. 3 against the Kunduz hospital in Afghanistan.

More than 22 civilians were killed in the attack: 12 medical staff from the international aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and 10 patients, three of them children. Thirty-seven other people were injured.

The debate on Wednesday was added to this week's Strasbourg plenary agenda only on Monday, at the request of United European Left MEP Gabriele Zimmer.

MEPs across the board expressed their deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured and stressed that those responsible "must be brought to justice, to avoid any such tragedy happening again".

Socialist and Democrats MEP Afzal Khan, vice-president of the EP's subcommittee on security and defence, commented that under the rules of international humanitarian law "a hospital is a hospital and the people inside are patients and medical staff. To target a medical facility in this way is a violation of that, whatever the circumstances."

"It is critical that there is a prompt, full, independent investigation to ensure maximum transparency and accountability, and those responsible must be brought to justice," Khan added. Endit