AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

April 19, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) ? As the Taliban's spring offensive intensifies, civilians are increasingly facing suicide attacks, abductions and beheadings, according to a new Amnesty International report, Afghanistan -- All Who are Not Friends, are Enemies: Taliban Abuses Against Civilians. The attacks on civilians by the Taliban are widespread and systematic and are used to instill fear and exert control over the local population.

"Unfortunately, the increased hostilities between the revived Taliban and Afghan, U.S. and NATO militaries have put more and more civilians in harm?s way," said Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA executive director. "However, the Taliban is engaging in a calculated strategy aimed at innocent men, women and children. They are also trying to intimidate the local population by kidnapping local aid workers, killing teachers and razing schools ? tactics clearly endorsed in the Taliban military rulebook."

The Taliban's military rulebook, or Laheya, sanctions the targeting and killing of civilians. Rule 25 states that a teacher who continues to teach after warnings from the Taliban must be beaten, and if he or she still continues to teach "contrary to the principles of Islam" must be killed. Similarly, a Taliban fatwa, or religious edict, orders the death of anyone who supports the U.S.-led intervention.

Many civilians have been deliberately killed by Taliban insurgents in the past two years, apparently because they were branded "spies." Targets have included women's rights activists, clerics, government and health workers and teachers. At least 183 schools were burned in arson attacks across the country between 2005 and 2006.

In a recent brutal incident, an Afghan journalist was killed by the Taliban, reportedly by having his throat slit. Ajmal Naqshbandi, 25, had been taken hostage in March along with an Italian reporter, Daniele Mastrogiacomo, and their Afghan driver, Sayed Agha. While Mastrogiacomo was released in a prisoner exchange, Agha was beheaded.

As well as deliberately attacking civilians, the Taliban have also killed or injured hundreds of people in indiscriminate attacks. At least 756 civilians were killed in 2006 in attacks using improvised explosive devices such as roadside bombs and in suicide attacks, according to U.N. and NATO figures.

"On one hand, Taliban leaders say that attacking 'unarmed civilians' is 'forbidden,' yet on the other hand, these same leaders are actively encouraging targeted and indiscriminate attacks on the same civilians they are supposedly protecting," sad Cox. "Taliban forces are committing war crimes ? pure and simple ? and it needs to stop now."

For an embargoed copy of the report, Afghanistan -- All Who are Not Friends, Are Enemies: Taliban Abuses Against Civilians, please contact the AIUSA press office at 202-544-0200 x302.

Contact: Sharon Singh 202.544-0200 ext. 289

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