ICRC urges Afghan sides to respect rights

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called on the warring sides in Afghanistan to protect civilians and respect their rights during conflicts.

“We are maintaining our dialogue with the parties to the conflict, reminding them of their obligations under international humanitarian law to respect and protect civilians and their properties,” head of the ICRC delegation in Kabul, Gherardo Pontrandolfi told journalists at a press conference here on Thursday.

He made the call just day after the killing of two employees of Afghan Red Crescent Society by unknown armed men in the northern Jauzjan province on Tuesday.

Reminding the warring parties of their obligations, he noted that protecting civilians is a fundamental part of the ICRC’s efforts to promote compliance with international humanitarian law worldwide.

He also called on the warring sides not to disturb the health worker, health facilities, ambulances and to allow the sick and wounded to reach health services without undue delay.

Civilians often bear the brunt of conflicts in Afghanistan as 2, 754 civilians have been killed and about 4,800 others injured in 2012, a report of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released here in February said.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Apr 18 2013. Filed under Latest News, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.