The Afghan Empowered Women Movement condemned the deadly attack on Shia civilians in Herat.

Kabul Times News - 04-15-2026
The Afghan Empowered Women Movement, in a strongly worded statement, strongly condemned the recent attack on Shia civilians in Herat province, calling it a “blatant violation of the right to life and human security” and part of a “dangerous pattern of systematic targeting of religious groups” in Afghanistan.
The statement, launched under the name “God of Justice and Freedom,” stated: “This bloody incident is not only a clear violation of the right to life and human security, but also indicates the continuation of a dangerous pattern of systematic targeting of religious groups in Afghanistan.”
The attack took place on Friday (20 Hawal 1405 / around April 10, 2026) in Deh Mehri village, Injil district of Herat. Four unidentified gunmen reportedly opened fire on Shiite families who had gone to the area for recreation, killing at least 11 people (local sources have reported a higher death toll). The attackers first collected the victims’ mobile phones and then targeted the men in front of their families. The attack has sparked a wave of protests, market strikes and protest rallies in Herat. 
The Afghan Women’s Empowerment Movement, citing a history of repeated attacks on mosques, educational centres and Shiite gatherings, stressed that the Afghan Shiite community is “always exposed to threats, discrimination and violence” and that this situation is “a clear violation of fundamental human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, and the right to live in dignity and security.”
The movement called on the international community, human rights organisations and the United Nations “not to remain silent in the face of these crimes” and to take “serious, immediate and effective action”. The statement said: “Silence and indifference in the face of such tragedies pave the way for the repetition and spread of violence.”
Citing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and human rights conventions, the Afghan Empowered Women Movement warned that the systematic targeting of religious groups could be considered a “crime against humanity” and even “genocide.” They called for “independent investigations, accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes, and provision of immediate and sustained support for communities at risk.”
The statement concluded by emphasizing: “Protecting religious minorities is not only a national responsibility, but also a global obligation. It is time for the international community to move beyond expressing concern and take practical and humanitarian action.”
The statement was issued by the Afghan Empowered Women Movement in Islamabad, Pakistan.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but experts say it is part of a worrying pattern of targeted violence against religious minorities, particularly the Hazara and Shia communities in Afghanistan. The European Union has called the attack “appalling” and a UN special rapporteur has called for an independent investigation. The incident has once again highlighted serious concerns about the security of religious minorities under the current Afghan government.