Amnesty International Concerned About Summary Executions Of Civilians In Balkhab
Amnesty International in a statement on Monday said that it is "gravely concerned" about the summary executions and harm inflicted on civilians in the Balkhab district of Sar-e-Pul province.
The rights watchdog called on the Taliban to end the attacks against civilians, and to ensure justice and accountability as the ruling group in Afghanistan.
Amnesty International has called upon both the parties in the conflict to abide by the laws of war and to refrain from harming civilians. It also called on the international community not to ignore the escalation of human rights abuses in Afghanistan, but instead to press for accountability.
The group has expressed concern about the Taliban blocking the transport route and the closure of telecommunications networks in Balkhab, stating that blocking the transport route and essential needs of the people is a war crime.
According to the organization, the free flow of information from the conflict zone should be respected.
The concerns come as the Taliban attacked a disgruntled Hazara commander in the Balkhab district of Sar-e-Pul province, blocking the district's roads and disrupting telecommunications networks.
Five days have passed since the Taliban invaded Balkhab, but details of the war have not been released due to a lack of communication.
The Taliban have reportedly shot dead a number of civilians since capturing the center of Balkhab district. According to the latest reports, the group's fighters shot dead seven of Mawlawi Mahdi's men who had surrendered on Sunday in the Glorz area near Darah Sof district.
