11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Insurgents are targeting Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), NGOs and construction crews to hamper reconstruction efforts and to weaken the international community ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23653]

"Insurgents appeared to be targeting Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and construction crews, NGOs, and contractors as a means to hamper reconstruction efforts and drive the international assistance community out of the country. There was a marked increase in high-profile kidnappings of foreign NGO workers, journalists, and contractors. During the year the Taliban beheaded at least 20 citizens and foreigners for alleged "crimes" ranging from espionage to supporting the Karzai government."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Surge in abductions of NGO workers and foreign workers ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23798]

"Authorities reported approximately 90 abductions during the year, at least 15 of which resulted in the death of the hostage; however, the unreported number was believed to be much higher. The overall number of kidnappings of foreign aid and NGO workers increased to more than 70 from only a few in 2006. The head of UNAMA said publicly in October that insurgents and criminal gangs had abducted 76 aid workers, that 34 aid workers had been killed during the year, and that insurgents had attacked or looted 55 aid convoys. The Taliban, militants, tribal leaders, and insurgents abducted security forces, civilians, and at least one journalist for political and financial gain. Many were killed but some were allowed to live if they vowed to resign and join antigovernment elements. Antigovernment forces abducted a pregnant German woman from a restaurant in Kabul in August and two German contractors in Wardak Province. ANP freed the German woman and arrested four suspects. One of the men was killed; the other was released in early October."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Attacks on NGO workers hamper help for civilians; according to the UN, more than a third of the country is inaccessible ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23812]

"During the year suspected Taliban members fired on NGO vehicles and attacked NGO offices. International NGO and UN workers and recipients of NGO assistance were attacked on 70 occasions. In a shift in tactics during the year, insurgents actively attacked and targeted NGO workers with acts of violence. Violence and instability hampered relief and reconstruction efforts in different parts of the country. NGOs reported that insurgents, locally powerful individuals, and militia leaders charged them for the relief supplies they were bringing into the country. Assistance efforts were increasingly limited by the difficulties in moving relief goods overland to remote areas due to insurgent threat. There were reports in Kandahar that antigovernment forces increasingly attacked those accepting foreign assistance, causing villagers to begin refusing aid. Due to the increasing violence, the UN considered more than a third of the country inaccessible."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Women’s rights activists face threats and intimidation, especially if they talk about women’s rights, the role of Islam and commanders ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22994]

"Women’s rights activists face threats and intimidation, particularly if they speak out about women’s rights, the role of Islam or the behaviour of commanders."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Increase of targeted attacks and threats against Afghans working for international organisations and security forces particularly in areas with anti-government insurgent activities and Taliban presence ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 23170]

"Afghans working or associated with international organizations and security forces, in areas where there are anti-Government insurgent activities or infiltrations of Taliban and Hezb-e-Islami forces, continue to be at risk, and are, in fact, increasingly targeted.
The increase in targeted attacks and threats against Afghans working for international organizations and security forces are based on a perceived association with the central Government and its supporters. Leaflets warning Afghans not to work for the Government and its supporters, including the aid community, are distributed in those provinces where anti-Governmental elements are present and are able to operate.
A number of incidents have been reported in 2006 and 2007 in Kandahar, Helmand and Kunar against Afghans accused of working for international military forces. The targets of such attacks have been civilian workers, such as truck drivers or construction workers. In 2007, kidnappings have also been on the rise both for political and criminal objectives. From January to May 2007 three high profile political kidnappings took place. While the first kidnapping targeting humanitarian workers was resolved with the release of all involved, the second involving a foreign journalist and his Afghan counterpart ended with the release of the foreign journalist and the beheading of the Afghani."

Document(s): Open document

05.05.2007 - Source: Reuters

Chronology of killings and kidnappings of aid workers since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001 ("CHRONOLOGY-Danger stalks aid workers in Afghanistan") [ID 19963]

Document(s): Open document

11.04.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Italian NGO that runs hospitals in Afghanistan has temporarily pulled around 40 international staff from the country, citing threats from the Afghan government ("Italian NGO Leaves Afghanistan, Citing Official Threats") [ID 19609]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Some organisations forced to leave areas of the country due to attacks ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19506]

"Attacks on government security forces, international organizations, international aid workers and their local counterparts, and foreign interests and nationals increased during the year and prompted some organizations to leave areas of the country."

Document(s): Open document