11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Pol-e-Charkhi prison: Riots resulted in the death of 6 inmates and injuries to 44; many reported that security officials used excessive force; so far, there has not been a public investigation ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23289]

"In February 2006 inmates at Pol-e-Charkhi prison rioted for five days, resulting in the death of six inmates and injuries to 44, according to the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC); many reported that security personnel used excessive force in their response to the riot. There continued to be no public investigation."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

No further developments or investigations in the 2005 cases of police officials, including Kabul Police Chief, torturing and killing a civilian and a detainee ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23290]

"There were no further developments in the 2005 case involving Kabul Police Chief General Abdul Jamil Junbesh, who allegedly tortured and killed a civilian named Hussain, or in the case of the December 2005 police beating and subsequent death of a detainee at the Kabul police station. In both cases human rights activists characterized official investigations as ineffective, and authorities made no formal charges. In June 2006 President Karzai removed Junbesh from office following a security incident in which critics attacked Junbesh's ability to maintain order."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Antigovernment elements, tribal leaders and police officials entered and looted homes and businesses of civilians with impunity ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23788]

"Antigovernment elements, tribal leaders, and security and police officials forcibly entered and looted the homes and businesses of civilians with impunity. There were reports of theft by national security forces while conducting raids and searching homes. According to press reports in April, men in military uniforms looted homes and businesses in the Sangenn District of Helmand Province. There are conflicting reports about whether the men were allied with international forces or an independent militia. Following a September bus crash in Ghazni, ANP officers allegedly looted valuables from victims and told victims that unless they paid the police they would not receive medical attention. In August 2006 ANP officers in Uruzgan Province raided a local bazaar to seize contraband items, including poppy. Several storekeepers and shoppers reported being harassed and having their money and goods stolen. During a subsequent inspection of the ANP provincial headquarters' evidence locker, authorities found only small amounts of the contraband."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Kabul's Police Chief allegedly tortured and killed a civilian; police beat and killed a detainee; in both cases no formal charges were made ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19504]

"In November 2005 Kabul's Police Chief General Abdul Jamil Junbesh, allegedly tortured and killed a civilian named Hussain. In December 2005 police beat and killed a detainee at the Kabul police station. In both cases human rights activists characterized official investigations as ineffective and no formal charges were made. However, in June, the president removed Junbesh from office. "

Document(s): Open document

05.03.2007 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Level of impunity reinforced due to known human rights abusers winning parliamentary seats and the appointment of suspected individuals to senior positions in Government ("Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and on the achievements of technical assistance in the field of human rights [A/HRC/4/98]") [ID 19356]

"The deterioration in the security situation during 2006 has limited the space for transitional justice activities. The failure to prevent known human rights abusers standing for and winning parliamentary seats, together with the continued practice of appointing individuals suspected of human rights violations to senior positions in Government, has reinforced the de facto state of impunity."

Document(s): Open document

23.02.2007 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Upper house of the parliament adopted amnesty bill granting immunity for all war crimes during Soviet occupation from 1979 to 1989, civil war that followed until 1996 and during Taliban rule until 2001 ("War crimes immunity bill passes second hurdle") [ID 18860]

Document(s): Open document