Afghanistan: top UN envoy deplores killing of Wolesi Jirga member

The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today expressed shock and sadness at the assassination of Haji Habibullah, the Kandahar province member of Wolesi Jirga (People's House).

“This attack represents an assault on the democratic will of the Afghan people who voted in their millions for peace, stability and progress during historic elections” that were held in 2005, the Secretary-General's Special Representative Kai Eide said in a statement.

He said that Haji Habibullah “served his country honorably as a mujahid, as a tribal elder and as a parliamentarian,” and that his killing “underlines the risks faced by dedicated parliamentarians as they work tirelessly to forge a new future for the people of Afghanistan.”

Mr. Eide, who also serves as head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, called on the South Asian nation's authorities to bring those behind the attack to justice and urged them to bolster protection for all parliamentarians.

“Our thoughts remain with the family, friends and constituents of Haji Habibullah at this difficult time,” he added.