New York, December 28, 2017–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned an attack today on a Shiite cultural center and office of the news agency Afghan Voice, in Kabul, Afghanistan. At least one journalist was killed and four media workers were injured in the attack, which killed more than 40 people and injured at least 80, according to news reports and the local press freedom group, Afghan Journalists Safety Committee. The militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility via its Amaq News Agency, according to news reports.
“This is yet another horrific attack on civilians and the press in what has been a deadly year in Afghanistan,” said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Steven Butler, in Washington, D.C. “The Afghan government must do more to guarantee journalist safety as armed groups seek to silence critical voices.”
At least two journalists were killed in Afghanistan in 2017, according to CPJ research. CPJ also documented at least three deadly attacks on news outlets and areas where journalists work, that killed several media workers.