Warning About Pashtun Rights - 2002-04-09

A major human rights group based in the United States has warned that the racist attacks by Afghan militias against Pashtun communities in the north of the country could create obstacles to the selection of a new government in Afghanistan. The Human Rights Watch group announced on Monday that during a month-long investigation, evidence was obtained showing that since the fall of the Taliban regime last November, Pashtuns residing in northern Afghanistan have been subjected to executions, beatings, sexual assaults against women, and abductions. The group's report blames the Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Tajiks, who consider Afghan Pashtuns to be supporters of the Taliban. Human Rights Watch states that if northern Pashtuns are deprived of participating in the Loya Jirga elections in June, the credibility of the entire electoral process will be called into question. The Loya Jirga, a traditional tribal council in Afghanistan, is set to convene in June to elect a two-year transitional government in the country. The campaign for seats in this council will begin this month.