UN: Civilian deaths in Afghan war hit record high

By Ghanizada - Sat Feb 04, 4:26 pm

According to a report issued by United Nations, civilian casualties have reached to its highest level during the past five years in Afghanistan.

United Nation Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in Afghanistan following the report stated around 3,021 Afghan civilian casualties have been report during 2011, while it was 2,790 were reported in 2010 and 2,412 in 2009.

According to the report majority of the civilian casualties have been incurred as a result of the militants attacks.

The report also signaled towards roadside bomb attacks and suicide bombings as the main reason for increasing civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Air raids conducted by NATO-led international coalition forces to support Afghan security forces during the military operations have also contributed in raising civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Ján Kubiš UN special envoy for Afghanistan said, Afghan cildren, men and women killings have increased and Afghan civilians are paying much for the continued war in Afghanistan.

Mr. Ján Kubiš added, the involved parties in war should concentrate at their best to reduce civilian casualties and protect Afghan civilians.

United Nations following its 2011 annual report to protect civilians during the war in Afghanistan stated, around 11,864 Afghan civilians were killed since 2007 in this country.

The report further added, around 2,331 civilians were killed by militants activities which forms 77% of the civilians casualties and also shows an increase of 14% as compared to the year 2010.

The report also stated around 410 civilians were killed by NATO air raids to support the Afghan security forces during military operations in 2011. Civilian casualties as a result of the NATO air raids shows an increase of 4% as compared to last year.

In the meantime UN in its report stated around 279 civilians were killed in Afghanistan due to unknown reasons.

United Nations in its report emphasized that explosions in Afghanistan forms the majority of the majority of Afghan women, men and children casualties which killed around 967 people in 2011.

Officials in United Nations Organization urged Taliban militants group to respect war principles in order to reduce civilians casualties.

The officials also urged the Afghan and NATO security forces to step up efforts to prevent civilian casualties during war in Afghanistan.

According to UN officials, around 187 Afghans were killed during 2011 which shows an increase of 9% as compared to the year 2010.

Navi Pillay United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns for an increased civilian casualties in Afghanistan, and it is expected that she will release a report regarding the situation of human rights in Afghanistan during the month of March.

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