Civilian deaths, rights abuse double in southeast

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Civilian casualties and crimes against women, the Paktia Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) said on Wednesday.

Paktia AIHRC office acting head Shafiqullah Niazi told a gathering marking International Human Rights Day in Gardez, the provincial capital, that 194 civilians had been killed this year in the southeastern zone comprising Paktia, Khost and Paktika.

The dead included126 men, 17 women and 41 children, he said, adding 366 people, including 255 men, 16 women and 95 children, had been injured during the period.

He said the figures showed a 50 percent increase in civilian death toll and a 33 percent increase in injuries.

Niazi said 98 incidents of violence against women took place this year, showing the incidents had doubled compared to last year’s incidents.

He also said during the period, they had organised workshops engaging 3,000 people, including women and children, to create awareness among them about human rights.

He also spoke about the worst human rights situation and challenges in this regard. He cited lack of security, administrative graft, bad customs, civilian casualties, lack of access to justice in remote parts some the hurdles impeding progress.

Paktia police chief Brig. Gen. Zalmai Oryakhel acknowledged insecurity in some areas, but said there had been a decrease in crimes this year.

He said police alone could not maintain security and protect human rights and needed people’s assistance in this regard.

Oryakhel said police were ready to cooperate with the authorities concerned in preventing human rights abuses and playing a proactive role in improving the rights situation.

He said police had been trained on human rights in order to prevent violence against women and children.

Religious scholar Maulvi Rozuddin linked increase in human rights violations to turning back on Islamic teachings. He said if Islamic recommendations were fully enforced, such incidents would decrease or completely vanish.

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