UAE- Protect civilians in Afghanistan: paper
Date
2/16/2016 1:07:56 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI 16th February 2016 (WAM) -- Continuing bloodshed in Afghanistan is a matter of serious concern and the latest disclosure by the United Nations that the number of civilians killed or wounded in the country last year was the highest adds to the worry commented a UAE daily.
According to the annual report produced by the UN Assistance Mission UNAMA in coordination with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office UN report hostilities in 2015 in Afghanistan left more than 3500 civilians dead including an unprecedented number of children one in four casualties over the past year was a child and nearly 7500 others wounded.
The report shows that increased ground fighting in and around populated areas along with suicide and other attacks in major cities were the main causes of conflict-related civilian deaths and injuries in 2015.
UNAMA documented 11002 civilian casualties (3545 deaths and 7457 injured) in 2015 exceeding the previous record levels of civilian casualties that occurred in 2014.
"The latest figures indicate an overall increase of 4 percent during 2015 in total civilian casualties from the previous year. The UN mission began its systematic documentation of civilian casualties in 2009" said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Tuesday.
Ground engagements between parties to the conflict caused the highest number of total civilian casualties (fatalities and injuries) followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide and complex attacks.
The situation has become more complicated as US and other international troops moved from a combat role to a training advisory and assistance role on January 1st 2015 leaving Afghan forces to take the lead in fighting the resurgent militants as they targeted towns and cities.
Disturbingly the report has documented a doubling of civilian casualties due to the deliberate targeting by militants of judges prosecutors and judicial institutions. There were 188 such cases last year of which 46 involved fatalities.
It is sad that the attacks are happening at a time when many Afghans hope for the restart of a peace dialogue that could lead to normal life and peace. Unprincipled attacks prohibited under international law are happening with almost complete impunity and this cannot be allowed to continue anymore.
Also unfortunately women and children have been the worst affected in the conflict. Many families have been left without breadwinners. The international community should take instant action to put a stop to the killing and maiming of civilians.
"The mindless violence just cannot be allowed to continue any more" concluded the Sharjah-based daily.
WAM/Esraa/Moran