Taliban threatened, beat United Nations staff, reveals internal security document: Report
By Team Newsable | First Published Aug 26, 2021, 10:57 AM ISTThe UN has moved around one-third of the 300 foreign personnel it had in Afghanistan to Kazakhstan. It has also stated that it wants to retain a presence to assist the Afghan people.
On Sunday, the Taliban stopped an Afghan United Nations staff member on his way to Kabul airport. They checked his car and discovered his United Nations identification. They then thrashed him. On Monday, three unknown guys paid a visit to the house of another United Nations employee who was at work at the time. They inquired about his father's whereabouts and accused him of lying: "We know his whereabouts and what he does."
The instances are among dozens detailed in an internal United Nations Security dossier seen by Reuters, revealing veiled threats, looting of United Nations buildings, and physical abuse of workers since August 10, soon before the Taliban took power.
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According to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the authorities in Kabul are responsible for the safety and security of UN personnel and facilities. They are in contact with them about this.
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While the Islamist militant movement has attempted to convince Afghans and Western powers to protect human rights, tales of retaliation have eroded trust, particularly among individuals connected with international organisations. The Taliban did not reply quickly to a request for comment on the United Nations incident list.
The group has stated that it will examine any reported violations and has urged humanitarian organisations to continue their work. This week, it indicated that help was acceptable if it was not utilised to exert political control over Afghanistan. The UN said it would not comment on leaked security papers.
The UN has moved around one-third of the 300 foreign personnel it had in Afghanistan to Kazakhstan. It has also stated that it wants to retain a presence to assist the Afghan people.
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Around 3,000 Afghan United Nations personnel remain in the country. According to a United Nations spokesperson, the global organisation is in contact with other nations to urge them to issue visas or to assist the temporary transfer of some of them.
Thousands of Afghans have left the country since the Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, boarding military and commercial planes from the capital's airport, which has been a picture of deadly mayhem.
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