Ensure amnesty for ex-officials, 22 nations ask Taliban

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United States, the European Union and 20 other countries have urged the Taliban to ensure amnesty for former members of Afghan security forces and government officials.

“We are deeply concerned by reports of summary killings and enforced disappearances of former members of the Afghan security forces as documented by Human Rights Watch and others,” they said on Saturday.

The call was issued in a joint statement from the US, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Ukraine.

“We underline that the alleged actions constitute serious human rights abuses and contradict the Taliban’s announced amnesty,” the statement added.

The US-led group called on the Taliban to effectively enforce the amnesty for former security personnel and government officials to ensure that it was upheld across the country and throughout their ranks.

Reported cases must be investigated promptly and in a transparent manner, they said, adding those responsible must be held accountable.

The 22 nations demanded the Taliban respect their pledge not to harm former government or security personnel.

Earlier in the week, the Human Rights Watch reported over 100 executions and abductions of former government officials since mid-August.

It also documented the murder of 47 members of the Afghan security forces who surrendered to, or were captured by, the Taliban between August 15 and October 31.

nh/mud