A report on the state of human rights in the nation that was retaken by the Taliban more than ten months ago was released by the United Nations mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Wednesday.
The report provided a summary of the UNAMA’s findings on a number of issues, including the protection of civilians, extrajudicial executions, torture and other cruel treatment, arbitrary arrests and detentions, the rights of women and girls, fundamental freedoms, and the environment in detention facilities. It also included advice for the international community as well as de facto authorities.
It went on to say that between mid-August 2021 and mid-June 2022, there had still been 2,106 civilian casualties documented, including 700 fatalities and 1,406 injuries. Targeted attacks by the ISKP (Islamic State – Khorasan Province) on minority communities in places of worship were blamed for the majority of civilian fatalities.
According to the report, monitoring revealed that Afghanistan’s population, particularly women and girls, are denied the “full enjoyment of their human rights” despite the country’s security situation having improved since August 15.
The following are some of the major conclusions for the time frame of August 15, 2021, to June 15, 2022:
- IED assaults ascribed to ISIL-KP and unexploded ordnance primarily responsible for 2,106 civilian casualties (700 killed, 1,406 wounded) (UXO).
- By the de facto authorities, there have been 160 extrajudicial executions, 178 arbitrary arrests and detentions, 23 instances of incommunicado detention, and 56 instances of torture and other ill-treatment of former members of the ANDSF (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces) and government officials.
- 59 extrajudicial deaths of people suspected of having ties to the ISKP, 22 arbitrary arrests and detentions, and 7 instances of torture and other cruel treatment by the de facto authorities.
- 23 cases of incommunicado incarceration of people accused of belonging to the self-described “National Resistance Front,” as well as 18 extrajudicial deaths, 54 instances of torture and other ill-treatment, 113 arbitrary arrests and detentions, and 54 instances of torture.
- 217 incidents of de facto authorities using cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment since August 15, 2021
- Between August 15, 2021, and June 15, 2022, the de facto authorities used excessive force 118 times.
- Of the 173 journalists and media professionals who experienced human rights breaches, 163 were blamed on the de facto government. These included 12 incidents of incommunicado incarceration, 33 instances of threats and intimidation, 122 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, and 58 instances of cruel treatment. Additionally, six journalists perished at that time (five by ISKP, one by unknown perpetrators).
- Of the 65 human rights advocates who were victims of violations, 64 were linked to the de facto government. Among them were 17 instances of incommunicado imprisonment, 10 instances of cruel treatment, and 47 instances of arbitrary arrests.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, described the news as “false and nothing but propaganda.”
