UN Human Rights Chief urges all parties to ensure
protection of civilians in Kunduz, Afghanistan
GENEVA (29 September 2015) – UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today expressed deep concern about the human
rights situation in Afghanistan's northeastern city of Kunduz following a major
Taliban attack yesterday. He urged both parties to the conflict to take all
measures to protect civilians from harm.
“The civilian population in Kunduz has already suffered
months of fighting and is now in grave danger – with very worrying signs that
the violence may intensify,” the High Commissioner said. “I urge all parties to
the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and
human rights law to protect civilians and to take all feasible steps to prevent
the loss of life and injuries to civilians.”
“The situation in Kunduz threatens to severely undermine
the progress Afghanistan has made in restoring peace, stability and the rule of
law, which is what all Afghans deserve,” he added.
The Taliban attack sparked ground engagements throughout
the city between Taliban and Afghan National Security Forces. Pro-Government
Forces also carried out airstrikes in certain parts of the city. The UN
presence in Afghanistan received additional reports of fighting in the
districts of Takhar province, which borders Kunduz province.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and
the UN Human Rights Office are seeking to verify reports that at least 110
civilians were killed and injured as a result of the fighting.
“We fear that many more civilians may be harmed if
fighting continues over the next few days,” Zeid said.
Intense fighting around Kunduz between April and June
this year caused 176 civilian casualties (36 deaths and 140 injured), of which
64 per cent resulted from the operations of pro-Government forces countering
the Taliban advance.
A Taliban statement released yesterday informed Kunduz
residents to continue normal life and reassured the population that “lives,
property and honour will be safeguarded”. However, the freedom of movement of
the civilian population has been restricted due to the ongoing fighting,
preventing civilians from leaving the city. Previously, the Taliban had imposed
restrictions on freedom of movement and access to education for women and girls
in other areas of Kunduz province under their de facto control.
The Taliban have reportedly taken control of the city’s
main hospital, some government facilities and UN premises. In addition, the
Taliban have also reportedly freed approximately 700 inmates from the
provincial prison, including up to 350 conflict-related detainees. Fifty-six
juveniles, including 10 girls and 10 conflict-related child detainees,
reportedly fled the juvenile detention facility following the Taliban
occupation of the city.
“We are aware the Taliban leadership has directed its
forces to protect civilian lives and property, but there are disturbing signs
that these commitments are being breached,” Zeid said. “International law
upholds the protected status of healthcare facilities and personnel, preserves
humanitarian space, and requires that those who have laid down their arms, are
injured, detained or otherwise hors de combat, must be treated humanely.”
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact
please contact Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 97 67 / rcolville@ohchr.org), Ravina
Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org ) or Cécile Pouilly (+41 22
917 9310 / cpouilly@ohchr.org)
For your news websites and social media:
Key messages
about our news releases are available on UN Human Rights social media channels,
listed below. Please tag us using the proper handles
Twitter: UNrightswire
Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
Google+: unitednationshumanrights
Youtube: unohchr
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar