Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Afghanistan

Violations of international humanitarian law in Afghanistan practices of concern and example cases

Attachments

The armed conflict ongoing in Afghanistan continues to severely affect the civilian population of the country. Combatants on all sides have shown a lack of sufficient concern for sparing and protecting the lives and property of Afghans not involved in the fighting and for minimizing the impact of the war on the civilian population.

The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission calls on all parties to the conflict to fully adhere to and respect the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The safety of Afghanistan's civilian population must be made a priority in all operations.

In particular, the Commission expresses its concern regarding a number of specific practices that are in clear violation of international standards but still keep reoccurring. These are illustrated by a number of recent incidents.

PRACTICES OF CONCERN AND EXAMPLE CASES

Excessive civilian casualties resulting from insurgent attacks and military operations

Attacks by armed groups as well as military operations by national and international forces have repeatedly resulted in the killing and injury of civilians and the destruction of civilian property. International humanitarian law prohibits all forms of violence to life and person directed against any persons taking no active part in hostilities. The intentional targeting of civilians and civilian objects are forbidden. Attacks may only be directed against military targets and the attacking party must do everything feasible to verify that the objectives to be attacked are indeed military in nature. Any civilian casualties caused by such attacks (referred to as "collateral damage") must not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated from the attack.

There have been some particularly egregious cases in which civilians have been the primary target of an attack. In most instances, however, civilian casualties are the result of operations whose primary purpose is the pursuit of military objectives. Frequently, such casualties are out of proportion to the military benefits of the operation or attack and their infliction thus constitutes not legitimate collateral damage but a serious violation of international humanitarian law.