Rights body warns of ethnic violence

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that ethnic violence in Afghanistan could break out as fighting escalates between the ruling Taliban and the opposition Northern Alliance. In north-central parts of the country, ethnic Hazaras have been "repeated targets of such violence, and remain vulnerable", a statement issued over the weekend said. The Hazaras are Shi'ah Muslims, sharply distinguishing them from the orthodox Sunni and mainly ethnic Pashtun Taliban.

"Over the last three years, we've seen a series of reprisal killings in Hazarajat and areas to its north as control has shifted back and forth," Sidney Jones, Asia director of HRW said. "Outside pressure and monitoring is urgently needed to prevent further abuses," he added.

The statement said there was a possibility of renewed attacks by the Taliban on Hazaras and other northern minorities, especially those considered sympathetic to the Northern Alliance. Moreover, if Taliban rule ended violently, there could be opposition reprisals against ethnic Pashtuns and other communities perceived as having supported the Taliban.

Tens of thousands of Afghans have been displaced by conflict-related violence in Afghanistan, and HRW has called on the international community to ensure that aid reached them.

Amnesty International has also issued a statement. It says both sides to the conflict must take all necessary precautions to protect civilians. "Vulnerable groups, such as women and ethnic minorities, must not be subjected to further abuses," the statement said. It added that captured combatants must be treated as prisoners-of-war in conformity with the Third Geneva Convention.

Amnesty International urged the international community to intensify efforts to respond to the humanitarian emergency within Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries.