KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has documented at least 60 cases of arbitrary arrest, 10 instances of torture, and five killings of former government officials and former ANDSF members over the past three months.
In its quarterly report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan released today, July 30, UNAMA said it continues to receive reports of violations against former government officials, especially those who were forcibly returned to Afghanistan.
“Between 1 April and 30 June, UNAMA Human Rights documented at least 60 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, at least 10 instances of torture and ill-treatment, verbal threats, and at least five killings of former government officials and former ANDSF members (four by unknown perpetrators, one by the de facto authorities),” UNAMA said.
Despite declaring a “General Amnesty” upon returning to power, the Taliban has repeatedly violated it by arresting, torturing, and killing employees of the previous government, particularly former soldiers, women, and rights activists.
For nearly three years, hundreds of former government officials, members of the previous security forces, and civilians have been detained, tortured, killed, or have disappeared across the country.
In the latest incident, last week, Taliban intelligence agents detained two former soldiers in northeastern Takhar province, accusing them of collaborating with armed resistance groups.
Three weeks earlier, a former police officer named Sher Mohammad died under Taliban torture in a Kabul prison. The Taliban had accused him of possessing weapons.
The UNAMA report also highlights the ongoing use of judicial corporal punishment by the Taliban, documenting at least 179 instances (147 men, 28 women, and 4 boys) from April 1 to June 30.
“For example, on 4 June in Sar-e-Pul city, 63 people were publicly flogged by the de facto authorities,15 (48 men and 15 women) having been convicted of a range of crimes, including armed robbery, adultery, running away from home and pederasty,” part of the report reads.
The report also highlights civilian casualties from attacks claimed by the Islamic State regional affiliate, IS-KP, over the past three months, particularly those targeted the Hazara-Shia community and Taliban members.
The incidents include the attack on members of the Hazara-Shia community in western Kabul on April 20, another in Guzra district of western Herat province on April 29, and the attack targeted a group of tourists in central Bamyan province in May, all of which resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians.
