Top UN envoy calls for probe into murder of female colleague in Afghanistan

The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has joined the world body''s human rights and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners in condemning the murder of a female Afghan colleague in the volatile eastern province of Nangarhar and calling for an investigation into the killing.

Belqis Mazloomyar was a contract worker for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Surkh Rod district in Nangarhar. She was shot dead on 26 November at a meeting of local elders in Lower Sheikh Mesri, a temporary settlement for returnees.

“Her murderer has not been identified and at this stage the reasons for the attack remain unclear,” the Secretary-General''s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, said in a statement issued today.

“Ms. Mazloomyar was a cherished colleague, and was well known for her activism in support of her community, in particular on women''s causes.

“The United Nations family, as well as human rights partners and NGOs in Afghanistan stand together in condemning her murder and in calling for a thorough investigation,” he stated.

In a briefing to the Security Council in October, Mr. Eide reported that the number of violent attacks in Afghanistan in recent months has been the highest since 2002, and that there have been more attacks against humanitarian targets.