UN rights boss says she has credible reports of Taliban executions
Author of the article:
Reuters
Stephanie Nebehay and Emma Farge
Publishing date:
Aug 24, 2021 • 14 minutes ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet delivers a speech at the opening of a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Afghanistan in Geneva, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI /AFP via Getty Images Article content GENEVA â€" The U.N. human rights chief said on Tuesday that she had received credible reports of serious violations by the Taliban in Afghanistan, including “summary executions†of civilians and Afghan security forces who had surrendered.
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentMichelle Bachelet gave no details of the killings in her speech to the Human Rights Council, but urged it to set up a mechanism to closely monitor Taliban actions.
Under a resolution agreed later on Tuesday by the Geneva forum, she is to report back at its September-October session on the situation and on any violations committed by the Taliban, and make a fuller written report in March 2022.
The Taliban treatment of women and girls would be “a fundamental red line,†Bachelet told an emergency session of the council, held at the request of Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Pakistan’s ambassador Khalil Hashmi said the resolution voiced grave concern over reports of violations and sent a “message of solidarity to the people of Afghanistan.â€
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentAustria’s ambassador, Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said it was joining the consensus even though the resolution “falls short.†The bloc had sought to launch an international investigation, she said.
Nasir Ahmad Andisha, a senior Afghan diplomat from the deposed government, called for accountability for Taliban actions, describing an “uncertain and dire†situation where millions of people fear for their lives.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
“Monitoring is essential to prevent further atrocities and ensure accountability,†Andisha told the talks.
Independent U.N. human rights experts, in a joint statement, said many people were in hiding as “the Taliban continues to search homes door-to-door†and property seizures and reprisals were being reported.
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentThere has been a devastating increase in civilian casualties in the first half of the year, they said, adding: “The acts of the Taliban over the course of these months and to date may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.â€
Canadians were left behind in Kabul despite government’s claims: Report 
Canadian special forces operating outside Kabul airport to help evacuees: officials But China’s ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Chen Xu, said that the U.S. army and the militaries of other coalition partners, including Britain and Australia, should be held accountable for alleged rights violations by their forces in Afghanistan.
The United States condemned attacks that it said were being carried out against civilians, journalists, activists and minority groups, but did not name the Taliban.
Shaharzad Akbar, chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission who had called for a “credible and strong outcome,†later said in a tweet: “An oral update by the High Commissioner? Seriously? Is that all you can do @UN_HRC?â€
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentAn oral update by the High Commissioner? Seriously? Is that all you can do @UN_HRC? What does this council do for countries suffering a human rights crisis? Can someone remind the Member States why this council exists? https://t.co/9TZ9ZOLihD
â€" Shaharzad Akbar (@ShaharzadAkbar) August 24, 2021 Share this article in your social network AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! Comments Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notificationsâ€"you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
0 Response to "UN rights boss says she has credible reports of Taliban executions"
Post a Comment