UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Issues Report on Attacks in Mirza Olang Village (August 20, 2017) [1]
On August 20, 2017, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan [3] (UNAMA) released a special report [4] on attacks in Mirza Olang, Sari Pul Province, Afghanistan, from August 3–5, 2017. According to the press release [5], the report details UNAMA’s initial findings from its human rights fact-finding attack on Mirza Olang village. The report states that “UNAMA verified allegations that Taliban and local self-proclaimed Islamic State / Daesh fighters killed at least 36 persons, including civilians and person hors de combat, during the attack on Mirza Olang. At least half of the killings took place on Saturday 5 August when Anti-Government Elements stopped families trying to escape the village, separated women and young children, and killed at least 18 people, both civilians and Pro-Government Militia who were hors de combat at the time of their killing.” The report further notes that these attacks “constitute violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes as they appear to have deliberately targeted both civilians and persons who were hors de combat while in the power of an adverse party.” UNAMA recommended that the Taliban “[i]mmediately cease the deliberate targeting of all civilians and civilian objects” and that the government of Afghanistan “[e]nsure that investigations of the attack are prompt, impartial and transparent, and ensure accountability for perpetrators and appropriate redress for the victims.”