September 11 - A global human rights agenda

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Prisoners, human rights and the quest for justice Basics: Why September 11 is a human rights concern Afghanistan: a vicious circle of human rights abuse What is "terrorism"? Armed conflict and the laws of war Weapons and their trade Protecting refugees

What were some of Amnesty's concerns in Afghanistan prior to September 11?

The people of Afghanistan have suffered from a brutal cycle of human rights violations in which various armed factions, in government and in opposition, have carried out widespread human rights violations against political opponents and entire sectors of society -- and gotten away with it.

Afghanistan does have traditions of peaceful political processes and the rule of law. Many Afghans remember the first three decades after World War II as a period of relatively greater political and social freedom in which there was some tolerance of political dissent and less government interference in elections.

However, two coups in Afghanistan in 1978 and 1979 were followed by the brutal repression of political opponents. The Soviet invasion of December 1973 supported a third coup and led to two decades of international conflict and civil war in which wide-spread abuses of human rights and humanitarian law were committed by all factions.

Abuses by the Taleban are well known.

The Taleban are reported to have killed thousands of civilians in massacres and indiscriminate attacks. People were imprisoned without charge or trial, often soley for being members of ethnic minorities suspected of supporting the anti-Taleban alliance. There are reports of torture in areas controlled by the Taleban.

The Taleban imposed harsh restrictions on personal conduct and behaviour as a means of enforcing their particular interpretation of Islamic law. Women were especially affected. Women were systematically denied their rights to education, employment and freedom of movement. Young women living in areas captured from anti-Taleban forces were reportedly abducted as ''wives'' for Taleban commanders.

Less well-known are reports that United Front forces have also killed civilians on the basis of their ethnic identity or affiliation with the Taleban. Mass graves reported to contain more than 2000 bodies have been found in territory controlled by the United Front. Torture, arbitrary detention and ill-treatment by United Front forces have also been reported.

The various armed groups in Afghanistan received arms from the USA, western Europe, countries of the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia and Iran -- all without any assurance that the weapons would not be used to commit human rights abuses.

To Amnesty International's knowledge, no state has ever prosecuted Afghans within their jurisdiction suspected of serious human rights abuses.

For a detailed library of reports and news releases on Afghanistan, visit: http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/countries/afghanistan

Now that the Taleban has been overthrown, what should be done about the history of human rights abuses in Afghanistan?

Efforts should begin now to establish who has been responsible for abuses in Afghanistan and to hold them accountable. No one should be shielded from investigation or prosecution.

The truth about past abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law must be established. Perpetrators of abuses must be brought to justice regardless of rank or other status, in fair trials and without recourse to torture, the death penalty or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Victims must receive full reparation.

There should be no amnesties, pardons and similar measures for alleged perpetrators of serious abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law, if such measures would prevent the emergence of the truth, a final judicial determination of guilt or innocence, and full reparation to victims and their families.

Given the history of Afghanistan, it will be a major challenge to build judicial and law enforcement institutions which meet human rights standards. A society which has suffered such severe human rights abuses over such a long period of time will require strong and sustained international support, including political commitment and financial investment.

Non-governmental groups, including women’s groups, should be supported to play a role in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.