33 people suffer casualties in Afghanistan last week

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 33 people suffered casualties in Afghanistan last week — 50 percent less compared to the previous week.

During the past week, the US eased restrictions on doing business with Afghanistan and China and Germany announced convening international summits on Afghanistan to cope with humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.

Major events of last week

• Families of 9/11 victims, China, Iran, Pakistan and Uzbekistan demand unfreezing of Afghan assets
• Deborah Lyons says assisting Afghans without cooperating with Taliban is not possible
• US eases restrictions on trade and financial transactions in Afghanistan
• US: Not ready to recognize Taliban government at this time
• Afghanistan’s caretaker government: The world should open doors to better relations with Afghans
• China and Germany convene international huddles on Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis
• World Bank approves $1billion humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Casualties

At least nine people were killed and 24 others injured in separate incidents of violence during the past week.

Three people were killed and 20 others wounded in a bomb blast in Dand Patan  district of southeastern Paktia province. Two children were killed and as many injured when an unexploded ordinance went off in Khanabad district of northern Kunduz province.

A 10-year-old boy was killed in a roadside bombing in Shah Walikot district of southern Kandahar province. The dead body of a young man was fished out from a river in Kama district of Nangarhar province. Signs of torture were visible on the body.

Also in the Abkamara district of Badghis, a boy reportedly fired a pistol after a verbal dispute with his father, killing his wife.

Unknown motorcyclists shot dead a public representative on his way home from a mosque after evening prayers in Maimana city of Faryab province.

Security officials opened fire at a vehicle as part of a wedding procession in Shegal district of eastern Kunar province, killing one person and injuring another.

In the previous week, according to reports, 30 people had been killed and 42 others wounded.

In the past conflict, hundreds of people would die and wounded during a week.

Afghanistan’s frozen assets and international reactions

Families of the 9/11 victims, China, Iran, Pakistan and Uzbekistan demanded the release of the frozen Afghanistan money and the caretaker government of Afghanistan urged the world community to lift economic sanctions on Afghanistan.

Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said the United States only destroyed Afghanistan during the past 20 years and the international community and went left the war-torn country alone when it needed help.

Last week, UN special representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, said  assisting Afghans without cooperating with Taliban was not possible.

The United State froze nearly $10 billion Afghanistan assets after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on August 15 and also imposed economic sanctions.

But there were reports last week that the US Treasury Department issued a license to facilitate trade and financial transactions in Afghanistan, allowing Afghan private banks to continue operating with international banks as before.

The Central Bank of Afghanistan has welcomed the move.

Government’s recognition

Last week, US relaxed sanctions on Afghanistan’s financial system but Washington’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West said they were not prepared to recognize the current acting government in Kabul.

Iran said it will recognize Afghanistan government if it is inclusive.

Last week, Afghan officials said invading countries should stop enmity with Afghanistan, asking the international community to open doors for cordial relationship with the new government.

Humanitarian aid

World Bank announced $1billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan to deal with hunger, improve health system and economic development.

The World Bank said the announced aid money will be channeled through UN related agencies and NGOs.

India announced 50,000 tonnes of wheat assistance with Afghanistan, the first shipment — 2,500 tonnes — has arrived in Afghanistan.

Malaysian officials pledged humanitarian aid and cooperation in health sector with Afghanistan.

Nigeria provided $1million assistance in the OIC created fund raising scheme for humanitarian support to Afghanistan.

Human Rights

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres during the 49^th meeting of Human Rights Watch expressed concern over humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and asked acting government to respect human rights and implement international human rights law.

Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, Guterres said he was concerned over deteriorated rights condition of women and girls in Afghanistan after the takeover of new government.

UN Special Envoy on Afghan Women and Girls Rights ReenaAmeerisaid it was necessary and women’s and girls’ abilities and talent should be used for better future and stability of Afghanistan.

This comes as Afghanistan acting government often pledged its commitment to women rights under Sharia Law.

Recently state and public universities were reopened where girls also resumed their educational activities.

Today — Friday — some women police offices completed their course at National Police Academy.

Acting Interior Minister SerajuddinHaqqani said these women will be assigned tasks.

Meetings on Afghanistan

According to reports, China will organize meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbours later in March or possibly on March 30.

Germany also announced to co-host a meeting on Afghanistan alongside the United Kingdom on humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

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