SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTIONS CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF KILLINGS IN AFGHANISTAN

15 November 2001



The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Asma Jahangir, said today evidence was gradually emerging in Afghanistan clearly indicating that large numbers of unarmed civilians have been and are still being killed extrajudicially by Taleban forces and other warring factions. This evidence supports credible reports of such atrocities that have been filtering out of Afghanistan in recent years.

'There is now an urgent need to ensure that these crimes are promptly and independently investigated, with a view to bringing those responsible to justice without delay', the Special Rapporteur said. 'There can be no impunity for these widespread and systematic killings, which may amount to crimes against humanity'.

The Special Rapporteur added that she is convinced that a sustainable and just peace in Afghanistan can only be achieved if those responsible for ordering and carrying out grave human rights violations are apprehended and held accountable for their crimes in trials that conform to international human rights standards.




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