A statement released by the U.S. and 21 other governments has condemned the Taliban for killing former members of Afghanistan's security forces. The nations said they are "deeply concerned" about the reports of the enforced disappearances and murders.
The statement, which was issued on Sunday, said the alleged actions by the Taliban government constitute serious human rights violations and are contradictory to the Taliban's commitments of amnesty to those who participated in the conflict.
The international governments called on the Taliban to enforce amnesty to former members of the nation's security forces and former government officials. They urged the Taliban government to stick to their previous commitments and enforce the action throughout their ranks.
The statement was signed by the U.S., the European Union, Australia, the U.K., Japan, Germany, and other nations. Apart from condemning the acts, the nations also called on an investigation into the reports of the killings and abductions while also demanding that all those responsible for the alleged acts be held accountable and brought to justice.
Shortly after the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the group committed to a "general amnesty" for those involved in the conflict. Taliban leaders promised that all Afghans, including those who fought against them, would be unharmed.
Last week, the international non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch released a report alleging that the Taliban had executed or abducted at least 47 former members of the Afghan National Security Forces.
The report claimed that among those that were killed were former military personnel, police officials, and intelligence service members, most of who had surrendered to the Taliban after the group took over the country.
Human Rights Watch said it based its claims on more than 67 interviews, including interviews with people in the country's Ghazni, Helmand, Kunduz, and Kandahar provinces. The group claims it interviewed witnesses and families of those who were killed or arrested. The group claimed that its investigators also spoke with Taliban officials.
Human Rights Watch said Taliban officials claimed that they had removed 755 people from their ranks who were found to have violated their amnesty commitments. The Taliban also claimed to have established a military tribunal for those convicted of murder, torture, and unlawful imprisonment.
A hard-line Islamic group, the Taliban has faced a failing economy since forming an interim administration in September. It has applied for international recognition in order to re-establish the flow of foreign aid that has kept the country afloat for decades.
Their leaders have attempted to project a more moderate and tolerant image, repeatedly stating that former government employees, including members of the military services, have nothing to fear from them.
