Richard Bennett Voices Concern Over Civilian Casualties in Border Clashes

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has expressed concern over civilian casualties resulting from clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan. Citing a report by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Bennett said on Wednesday (March 13) that the escalation of fighting along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border has led to significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement. “The parties must exercise maximum restraint and fully respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” Bennett said. He added that “dialogue is the only sustainable path” to resolving the tensions. The clashes began late Thursday night last week and are ongoing. According to UNAMA figures, 42 civilians have been killed and 104 others injured in Afghanistan so far. Meanwhile, the Taliban have stated that 110 civilians, most of them women and children, were killed and 123 others injured in Pakistani attacks.