Hundreds of former Afghanistan government officials and members of the armed forces have reportedly been killed, despite assurances of amnesty from the Taliban, according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR).
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), credible reports indicate that between August 15, 2021, and June 30, 2023, the de facto authorities in the country were responsible for a range of grave human rights violations. These include 218 extrajudicial killings, 14 enforced disappearances, over 144 instances of torture and ill treatment, as well as 424 arbitrary arrests and detentions.
VIOLATION OF TRUST
Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, criticized the targeting of former officials despite the Taliban’s announcement of a “general amnesty” for former government officials and members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces upon returning to power. Türk stated that this violation of trust is a grave concern and called on the de facto authorities to prevent further abuses and hold those responsible accountable.
The report emphasizes that individuals from the previous democratically elected administration deserve the same human rights protections as all Afghans. It also highlights Afghanistan’s continued commitment to international human rights treaties that prohibit the described violations. The report contains first-hand accounts of torture, including beatings with pipes and cables, verbal threats, and abuse by members of the de facto security forces.
FAMILY
UNAMA received accounts from family members whose relatives had been arrested or gone missing, with some bodies discovered days or months later. The report also points out cases where missing individuals remain unaccounted for, even after purported investigations initiated by Taliban authorities, such as the case of Alia Azizi, the former Head of the Herat Women’s Prison.
The de facto authorities’ efforts to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable have been deemed extremely limited by UNAMA. Although investigations were announced in a few instances, transparency and accountability have been lacking, resulting in prevailing impunity.
UNAMA calls on the Taliban to provide clear terms for the general amnesty and ensure its enforcement. The report highlights that the de facto authorities have not publicly released any written text or guidance outlining the scope of the amnesty, relying solely on public comments made by their leadership.
Roza Otunbayeva, Head of UNAMA, stresses the importance of the de facto authorities demonstrating a genuine commitment to the general amnesty. This commitment is seen as crucial for achieving real prospects of justice, reconciliation, and peace in Afghanistan.
