Amnesty International is concerned about the recent increase in civilian casualties caused by targeting errors. In several incidents during late 2001 and early 2002, Afghan villagers accused the USA of acting on misinformation or malicious information and taking military action leading to the deaths of civilians.
Amnesty International reiterates its call for the US authorities to investigate military attacks which have resulted in civilian deaths and to make those findings public.
Background
According to reports from Afghanistan, 30 fatalities so far have been reported by government officials in Kabul, while eye witnesses of the incident have reported more than 120 either dead or injured. Hospital reports claim many were women and children. The circumstances remain unclear but reports state that civilian casualties were caused by B-52 bombing and AC-130 gunship fire at around 1:00am 1st July 2002, on what US officials have described as anti-aircraft fire on a coalition reconnaissance patrol flight. Local reports from Kabul state that these may have been mistaken for traditional gunfire salutes at a local wedding.
Amnesty International: http://www.amnesty.org
For latest Human Rights news view: http://news.amnesty.org
Amnesty International reiterates its call for the US authorities to investigate military attacks which have resulted in civilian deaths and to make those findings public.
Background
According to reports from Afghanistan, 30 fatalities so far have been reported by government officials in Kabul, while eye witnesses of the incident have reported more than 120 either dead or injured. Hospital reports claim many were women and children. The circumstances remain unclear but reports state that civilian casualties were caused by B-52 bombing and AC-130 gunship fire at around 1:00am 1st July 2002, on what US officials have described as anti-aircraft fire on a coalition reconnaissance patrol flight. Local reports from Kabul state that these may have been mistaken for traditional gunfire salutes at a local wedding.
Amnesty International: http://www.amnesty.org
For latest Human Rights news view: http://news.amnesty.org