Civilians terrorized in Afghan conflict, says rights report

Apr 19, 2007, 16:55 GMT

Kabul - Civilians are being increasingly targeted for reprisals by militants in Afghanistan while they often bear the brunt of fighting between the Taliban, Afghan and foreign forces, Amnesty International said in a report published Thursday.

Scores of civilians have been murdered by the Taliban in the past two years for allegedly collaborating with foreign and government troops, while suicide attacks, roadside bombs and other forms of violence pose a daily threat to non-combattants, the report says.

Among the victims of Taliban 'spying' charges are election candidates, clerics, government and health workers and teachers.

The Taliban's military rulebook, or Laheya, explicitly sanctions the killing of teachers who do not heed warnings to stop work, while a Taliban fatwa also orders the death of anyone who supports the US- led intervention.

In one incident cited by the organization last week, an Afghan journalist was killed by the Taliban, reportedly by having his throat slit.

Twenty-five-year-old Ajmal Naqshbandi had been taken hostage in March along with an Italian reporter, Daniele Mastrogiacomo, and their Afghan driver, Sayed Agha.

While the Italian journalist was released in a prisoner exchange, Sayed Agha was beheaded.

Attacking unarmed civilians was 'forbidden,' a Taliban spokesperson told Amnesty, while adding that 'There is no difference between the armed people who are fighting against us and civilians who are co-operating with foreigners.'

At least 756 civilians - including many children - were killed in 2006 in suicide attacks and roadside bombs, according to UN and NATO figures.

At least 183 schools were also burned in arson attacks across the country between 2005-2006. These are mainly attributed to the militants, who have vowed to set up their own religious education programme in areas in their control.

'Parents in various regions are now reluctant to send their children to school, and the climate of fear is undermining the right to education of thousands of children, particularly girls,' says the report, which accuses the Taliban of 'war crimes' and 'crimes against humanity.'