Statement of National Resistance Front in response to Amnesty International's report on Taliban war crimes in Panjshir - June 12, 2023.
Author: National Resistance Front of Afghanistan.
Amnesty International, in a report issued on June 8, 2023, shed light on war crimes committed by the Taliban in Panjshir province. The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, as a widespread political movement actively opposing Taliban's oppressive rule, welcomes the publication of this report and the documentation of Taliban's crimes in Panjshir.
The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan possesses ample evidence indicating that the Taliban terrorist group has committed heinous and organized crimes, violating national and international legal principles. According to our information, these inhumane crimes occur daily, not only in Panjshir but also in Andarab, Khost, Faryab, Badakhshan, and Daykundi, involving unlawful arrests, torture, violence against women, extrajudicial executions, stoning, dismemberment, forced displacement, extortion, invasion of privacy, looting, abduction, and genocide. It is crucial for international human rights organizations to address these matters.
The National Resistance Front has previously documented and submitted evidence of war crimes to international authorities. Amnesty International's report, although unprecedented in documenting and exposing Taliban's crimes against humanity, only covers a fraction of what has transpired during the nearly two years of Taliban's rule.
The victims extend beyond the members of the resistance front; they encompass various citizens of Afghanistan. These crimes should not be summarized solely as war crimes. International organizations are responsible for extensively reporting on the terrorist Taliban's crimes and ensuring justice.
In the absence of a legitimate government capable of guaranteeing judicial independence, and given the Taliban leadership's orders to commit crimes without documentation, international legal institutions such as the International Criminal Court and the United Nations Human Rights Council are best suited to investigate the crimes committed by Taliban leaders and members. Amnesty International's report also expresses hope for addressing the crimes against humanity committed by the Taliban.
The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan supports Amnesty International's call to the International Criminal Court's Prosecutor to investigate allegations of crimes under the Rome Statute and the United Nations Human Rights Council's establishment of an independent international mechanism. We demand urgent and practical actions in this regard.
We believe that ordinary Taliban fighters carry out inhumane acts under the orders of their leaders, who must be held accountable. The National Resistance Front consistently documents Taliban's crimes and is willing to share evidence with additional human rights organizations if necessary. We expect thorough examination of all documents and evidence before finalizing reports. We hope this will be taken into account in future investigations.
