KABUL (SW): The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has documented 1,943 civilian casualties (600 deaths and 1,343 injured) in the period between 1 January and 31 March 2016.
These figures mark an overall increase in civilian casualties of two per cent compared to the same period in 2015 with a 13 per cent decrease in deaths but an 11 per cent increase in injuries.
UNAMA has noted with extreme concern that increased fighting in populated areas continues to kill and injure women and children at higher rates than the general population. The Mission has documented a five per cent increase in women casualties (195 women casualties – 52 deaths and 143 injured) and a 29 per cent increase in child casualties (610 children casualties – 161 deaths and 449 injured) compared to the first three months of 2015.
“In the first quarter of 2016, almost one third of civilian casualties were children,” said Danielle Bell, UNAMA’s Human Rights Director. “If the fighting persists near schools, playgrounds, homes and clinics, and parties continue to use explosive weapons in those areas – particularly mortars and IED tactics, these appalling numbers of children killed and maimed will continue.”
“Even if a conflict intensifies, it does not have to be matched by corresponding civilian suffering provided parties take their international humanitarian law and human rights obligations seriously,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA. “Failure to respect humanitarian obligations will result in more suffering in a nation that has suffered enough.”
Civilian Casualties drop in Logar
Authorities in eastern Logar province however, assert that civilian casualties have dropped by 30 percent in this part of the country. Salim Saleh, spokesman for the provincial governor, told Salam Watandar that the anti-government forces are responsible for 60 percent of the civilian casualties. Syed Qareebullah Sadat, speaker of the provincial council, said in this regard that though the civilian casualties are dropping but much more needs to be done.
“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure people’s safety, we call upon all sides to make sure civilians do not get harm in the clashes”, he said.
ENDS
