More than 200 extrajudicial killings of former Afghan government officials and security forces have occurred since the Taliban took control of the country two years ago, according to a report released by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday. The report documented at least 800 human rights violations against former Afghan government officials and security forces between August 15, 2021, and the end of June 2023.
The groups most targeted by the Taliban have been former army, police, and intelligence forces. The report revealed that individuals were detained by the Taliban security forces before being killed, with some taken to detention facilities and killed while in custody, while others were taken to unknown locations and killed, with their bodies either dumped or handed over to family members.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed concern over the treatment of individuals affiliated with the former government and security forces, stating that it is a betrayal of the people’s trust. Türk called on the Taliban to uphold their obligations under international human rights law by preventing further violations and holding perpetrators accountable.
The Taliban-led Afghan foreign ministry dismissed the report, claiming to be unaware of any cases of human rights violations committed by Taliban officials or employees. The report, however, highlighted that former Afghan soldiers were at the greatest risk of experiencing human rights violations, followed by police and intelligence officials. Violations were recorded across all 34 provinces, with the highest number documented in Kabul, Kandahar, and Balkh provinces.
The majority of violations occurred in the four months following the Taliban takeover, with almost half of all extrajudicial killings of former government officials and Afghan security forces recorded during this period. The report also documented instances of forced disappearance, arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as cases of torture and ill-treatment.
While the Taliban initially promised a general amnesty for those linked to the former government and international forces, the report highlighted that these pledges were not upheld. The failure of the Taliban authorities to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable may have serious implications for the future stability of Afghanistan, according to the report.
Despite initial promises of a moderate administration, the Taliban have enforced harsh rules, including banning girls’ education after the sixth grade and barring Afghan women from public life and most work. These measures have prompted international outcry and have not been officially recognized by the United Nations and the international community.
The situation in Afghanistan remains a concern, with the Taliban facing no significant opposition and avoiding internal divisions since their takeover. The international community continues to call on the Taliban to uphold human rights and ensure justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace in the country.
How many extrajudicial killings of former Afghan government officials and security forces have been documented by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) since the Taliban took control of the country two years ago?
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a report on Tuesday stating that over 200 extrajudicial killings of former Afghan government officials and security forces have occurred since the Taliban took control of the country two years ago. The report also documented at least 800 human rights violations against these individuals between August 15, 2021, and June 2023.
According to the report, the groups most targeted by the Taliban have been former army, police, and intelligence forces. It revealed that victims were detained by Taliban security forces before being killed, with some being taken to detention facilities and others to unknown locations. Their bodies were either dumped or given to family members.
Volker Türk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over the treatment of individuals connected to the former government and security forces. He stated that it is a betrayal of the people’s trust and called on the Taliban to fulfill their obligations under international human rights law. Türk urged them to prevent further violations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
This is deeply disturbing and highlights the urgent need to address the ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan.