KABUL - European Union and European Union Police Mission (EUPOL) in Afghanistan in a joint statement on Tuesday on the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women urged Afghan government to eliminate violence Against Women.

Elimination of violence and discrimination against women and girls remains a pivotal objective of the European Union's Human Rights Policy, the statement stated.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the EU in Afghanistan expressed its concern over the continuing violations of women’s rights in the country. The EU Special Representative in Afghanistan, the EU Delegation and the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL) remain strongly committed to eliminating violence against Afghan women and girls, it said.

"Last month yet another young woman was stoned to death. This is totally unacceptable. The Afghan Government must make sure that the ones responsible for this kind of crime are held accountable. I strongly urge the Government to increase its efforts to stop all violence against women," the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, Franz-Michael Mellbin said.

"It is vital that the Government takes the implementation of the Law on Elimination of Violence  against Women seriously. The Afghan legal system must stand up to its obligations and address these problems, punish the perpetrators and bring justice to the victims," Pia Stjernvall, EUPOL Head of Mission in Afghanistan said. (PR)