Letter to NATO Members on civilian protection in Afghanistan

Letter to NATO Members on civilian protection in Afghanistan | Human Rights Watch:

Since the withdrawal of most international forces at the end of 2014, fighting between the Afghan government and insurgents has escalated, straining the capacities of the ANSF, and taking a higher toll on civilians. In July 2016, Human Rights Watch wrote to all NATO heads of state to raise our concerns about rising civilian casualties in the Afghan conflict and about specific abuses by Afghan government forces and government-supported militias. We recognize that the Afghan government faces a growing threat not only from Taliban insurgents, but also from groups claiming affiliation with the Islamic State. Under these circumstances the government should be more concerned than ever about the effect of abuses on the civilian population, yet serious violations by government forces continue to increase with near complete impunity.