The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN special human rights rapporteur have expressed concern over the killing of prisoners of war in Panjshir province and demanded an investigation and that the perpetrators of this crime be brought to justice.
On Tuesday, the Taliban said they killed 40 members of the National Resistance Front in Panjshir and arrested more than 100 others. At the same time as the Taliban’s confirmation, videos were shared on social media that apparently show the Taliban summarily executing prisoners of war.
A resident of Panjshir, who spoke to Zan Times on the condition of anonymity, said that the Taliban shot dead several civilians in Panjshir, accusing them of being involved with the National Resistance Front.
Another source who follows the situation in Panjshir said that more than 60 people, including civilians, have been killed in the past few days. “Six old men, 11 youth, and two children are among the civilian casualties that I know about,” he told Zan Times.
This source said that the Taliban also detained many civilians and then shot some of them.
On Twitter UNAMA has expressed concerns about the serious violations of human rights in Panjshir and elsewhere. It says, “Parties have clear international obligations, inc. respect for detainees rights.”
Richard Bennett, the UN special human rights rapporteur, said that he is “deeply concerned about the latest allegations of extrajudicial summary executions in Panjshir. Reminding the international human rights obligations of all parties, I call for immediate and thorough investigation and for the perpetrators to be held accountable. I am closely monitoring the situation.”
Patricia Gossman, head of the Asia section of Human Rights Watch, also stated on her Twitter that killing prisoners of war, as well as injuring, torturing, or mistreating them is against international principles. She wrote that those who put down their guns and surrender are no longer called armed opponents.
