VP/HR — Attacks in Afghanistan

2.4.2014

Question for written answer E-004075-14
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 117
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE)

The Ministry of Interior Affairs of Afghanistan has linked the Haqqani network to the attack of 19 March 2014 on the upscale Serena Hotel in Kabul, where nine civilians, including women, children and four foreign nationals, were gunned down by four young assailants. The attack has received wide condemnation in Afghanistan and internationally. Among those killed was well-known Afghan journalist Sardar Ahmad, a reporter for Agence France Presse (AFP) and the father of two young girls who were also killed. Two foreign election observer and support missions have pulled staff out of Afghanistan after a Taliban attack on a hotel in Kabul, in a move that could undermine confidence in the outcome of next month’s vote.

1. What steps is the EU willing to take to ask the Afghan Government to ensure the safety of its own people and of representatives of international organisations in the face of such terrorist attacks?

2. Is the European External Action Service asking the Afghan Government to provide the necessary security and uninterrupted access for the EU election observation delegation enabling it to fulfil its task?

3. Bearing in mind that coalition forces will withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, is the Commission asking the Afghan Government to provide a post-2014 action plan regarding the fight against terrorism and the protection of women and minority groups?