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Central & South Asia
Call to probe Afghan 'excesses'
Amnesty urges Nato to investigate military excesses in Afghanistan.
Last Modified: 28 Nov 2006 00:19 GMT


Isaf has made regular use of air strikes, which have killed scores of civilians in rural compounds

Amnesty International has called on Nato leaders meeting in Latvia to investigate allegations of the killing and torture of civilians in military operations in Afghanistan.
 
The London-based human rights watchdog said it was also concerned by reports that bombings by Nato's International Security Assistance Force [Isaf] was killing civilians.
"Detention procedures currently used by Isaf may be resulting in the torture or ill-treatment of Afghan nationals who are handed over to Afghan security forces known to use such practices," an Amnesty statement said.
 
It said Isaf operations had led to the displacement of up to 90,000 people.

The watchdog said: "Nato should create a body together with its Afghan partners and the United Nations to pursue justice for human-rights violations such as these".

It said the body should investigate allegations and ensure the prosecution of those found responsible and reparation for the victims.

Nato summit

Tim Parritt, Amnesty's deputy Asia Pacific director, said: "Isaf has a crucial role to play in securing the rule of law in Afghanistan.

"We urge Nato leaders to ensure that Isaf does not fall short of international humanitarian and human rights law in pursuing this aim."

The summit in Riga on Tuesday and Wednesday will focus on Nato's anti-Taliban operation in Afghanistan, the alliance's most ambitious mission yet.

Nearly 32,000 troops are in the 37-nation Isaf force, which has this year fought hard against the resurgent Taliban.

Isaf has made regular use of air strikes, which have killed scores of civilians in rural compounds, including 31 a month ago.

Human Rights Watch, the US human rights organisation, has said 1,000 civilians have been killed in the unrest this year, with an official report saying 3,700 people have been killed in total. Most of the dead are fighters.

Source:
Agencies
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