Responding to the suicide bomb attack on a crowded marketplace in Pakistan’s northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that has left at least 25 dead and more than 50 injured, Amnesty International’s Deputy South Asia Director, Omar Waraich, said:
“This was a horrific attack that shows utter contempt for human life. The attackers deliberately targeted a marketplace full of ordinary people on a busy Friday afternoon. It is a grim reminder of the threat that continues to be posed by armed groups who are prepared to kill large numbers of people to pursue their agenda. Such attacks, which flout fundamental principles of humanity, can never be justified.
“The Pakistani authorities should hold the suspected perpetrators accountable through fair trials without recourse to the death penalty. Their response to this appalling crime must prioritize justice for the victims and the protection of human rights and avoid perpetuating the cycle of abuses.”
