AI stands with afghan people in present crisis: Responding to the collapse of the Afghan government following the capture of power by the Taliban and the chaotic scenes, continuous human rights violations at Kabul airport during thousands of people attempt to leave the country, Agnes Callamard, Amnesty Secretary General, said:
“What we are witnessing in Afghanistan is a tragedy that should have been foreseen and averted. It will only be compounded further without swift and decisive action from the international community. Thousands of Afghans at serious risk of Taliban reprisals from academics and journalists to civil society activists and women human rights defenders are in danger of being abandoned to a deeply uncertain future.
“Foreign governments must take every necessary measure to ensure the safe passage out of Afghanistan for all those at risk of being targeted by the Taliban. This includes expediting visas, delivering support for evacuations from Kabul airport, providing relocation and resettlement, and suspending all deportations and forcefull returns. AI urge the US to provide continued security at the airport while evacuations are ongoing.
“As Afghanistan’s people face up to a stark new reality, the UN Security Council must also adopt an emergency resolution calling on the Taliban – who now forcefully but bitter truth is effectively control the country to respect international human rights law, protect civilians, and end reprisal attacks, as negotiations on transitional arrangements continue.”
statements of HRW: Afghans at heightened risk of cruel persecution from advancing Taliban forces are in urgent need of evacuation and international protection abroad, HRW said today. Foreign governments should prioritize providing visas and helping ensure safe passage for civilians whom the Taliban may target for abuse because of their past work or status.
Civilians feared to be at particular risk include those who have worked to promote human rights, democracy, and education, academics, writers, journalists, and other media workers; and people who have done work for foreign countries; among other at-risk categories. Members of ethnic minorities and Shia Muslims, sikhs, hindus in particular Hazaras, are also at greater risk. HRW urges UN to take necessary steps ASAP.
Medical NGO MSF is deeply worried: MSF said “The violence in Afghanistan has surged since May with fighting around and inside provincial capitals between the Afghan national army and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, also known as the Taliban). This is impeding access to medical care, increasing the number of people killed and wounded by bullets and explosions, and causing widespread displacement.
In three areas where we work, Lashkar Gah (Helmand province) and Kandahar both in the south, and Kunduz in the north, these consequences have been felt acutely. But picture is very awful around the city of Herat, too, where there is also an MSF project.
sources: AI, HRW, MSF, www.indiatoday.in, www.aljazeera.com
