Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/03/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 06:53 PM 3/13/02 -0700, you wrote: > > > > > > You might want to subtract the bomb damage from that total figure > > > > > >And wasn't the latest estimate 3 - 4000 civilians killed in the bombing...? > >tim And ... Afghanistan Thousands of civilians killed following Taleban takeover of Mazar-e Sharif Taleban guards deliberately and systematically killed thousands of ethnic Hazara civilians during the first three days following their military takeover of Mazar-e Sharif on 8 August 1998, according to new information received by Amnesty International. Since their arrival in Mazar-e Sharif, the Taleban have sealed the area to foreign media and independent observers. Amnesty International's information is based on testimonies from eyewitnesses and surviving members of the victims' families. The vast majority of those killed were from the Hazara ethnic group living in Zara'at, Saidabad, and Elm Arab areas of the city. The victims were killed deliberately and arbitrarily in their homes, in the streets where their bodies were left for several days, or in locations between Mazar-e Sharif and Hairatan. Many of those killed were civilians including women, children and the elderly who were shot trying to flee the city. "This latest information shows yet again how the Taleban disregard internationally recognized humanitarian laws on the treatment of civilians in armed conflict," Amnesty International said. "The Taleban leadership must give clear and direct orders to their troops to uphold international safeguards." Following their takeover, Taleban guards imposed a curfew in the city. In the Uzbek populated areas, they told people to hand in their weapons, while in the Hazara area, they told people to stay in their homes. They then entered Hazara houses one by one, killing older men and children and taking away young men without any explanation. In some houses, they also took away young women as Kaniz (maid-servant) saying they would be married off to the Taleban militia. - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html