Amid rising violence, the May 8 attack that killed at least 58, most of them schoolgirls, marked a new low in depravity by insurgents who have long targeted Afghan civilians. The horrific bombing was one of a pattern of deliberate attacks on the Hazara minority.
The Sayed ul-Shuhada school was one which Human Rights Watch profiled in a report on threats to girls’ education. https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/10/17/i-wont-be-doctor-and-one-day-youll-be-sick/girls-access-education-afghanistan
Since 2017, the Dasht-e Barchi neighborhood has seen several horrific attacks on civilians. On May 12, 2020, gunmen murdered 15 new mothers, a midwife, and two children in the maternity wing of the Dasht-e Barchi hospital. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/05/12/afghanistan-attack-hospital-war-crime
A suicide bombing on October 24, 2020, at the Kawsar-e Danish educational center killed at least 30 and injured more than 70, mostly children and young adults attending classes. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/26/afghanistan-school-bombing-targets-minority-community
Another attack on a school in August 2018 killed more than 34 students; and twin bombings at a wrestling club in September 2018 killed 20, including journalists. A bombing at the Imam Zaman mosque in October 2017 killed 39. https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/05/08/no-safe-place/insurgent-attacks-civilians-afghanistan
The ISKP has claimed responsibility for many of these attacks and has long targeted Afghanistan’s Hazara community. Intentional attacks on civilians are grave violations of the laws of war, and those responsible should be prosecuted for war crimes.
Despite this known pattern of attacks, the Sayed-ul Shuhada school had little security. The Afghan AGO war crimes unit promised to investigate several previous bombings in Dasht-e Barchi but has failed to do so in a way that could help prevent future attacks.
The @AfghanistanIHRC has now called for a dedicated, independent investigation under UN auspices. International actors should do more than just condemn attacks--they should support meaningful investigations and accountability. https://www.aihrc.org.af/ 
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