Civilians under threat in Afghanistan

Index: ASA 11/004/2007

Date: 19/04/2007

Civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict in Afghanistan, with local people caught up in the fighting between the Taleban, Afghan, US and NATO Forces. Suicide attacks, roadside bombs and other forms of violence pose a daily threat to the people in the conflict-ridden parts of the country.

The Taleban's military rulebook, or Laheya, explicitly sanctions the killing of teachers. If a teacher ignores a warning from the Taleban to stop teaching, he must be beaten. If he continues to teach “contrary to the principles of Islam”, he must be killed. A Taleban fatwa orders the death of anyone who supports the US-led intervention.

Scores of civilians have been deliberately killed by Taleban insurgents in the past two years after being branded "spies". Targets include election candidates, clerics, government and health workers and teachers. In April, three men were publicly hanged by the Taleban in the southern province of Helmand after being accused of spying for international troops.

The Taleban failed to distinguish between civilians and military targets in suicide attacks and attacks using improvised explosive devices such as roadside bombs. At least 756 civilians - including many children - were killed in 2006 in such attacks, according to UN and NATO figures.

The Taleban's stance towards civilians is inconsistent -- and far removed from its obligations under international law. A Taleban spokesperson told Amnesty International that attacking "unarmed" civilians was "forbidden". But he added that: "There is no difference between the armed people who are fighting against us and civilians who are co-operating with foreigners".

By deliberately targeting civilian workers, the Taleban are committing war crimes - and some of these crimes constitute crimes against humanity.

The Taleban must comply with the rules of international humanitarian law, to which they are bound. They must end indiscriminate attacks, such as suicide attacks in public places, and stop deliberately targeting civilians working for the government or with foreign organisations.

Read the full report:

All who are not friends, are enemies: Taleban abuses against civilians