The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said President Hamid Karzai's Western-backed administration had pledged amnesty for the Taliban if they join a Kabul-backed peace scheme.
"Providing immunity from prosecution for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious human rights abuses violates international law," HRW said in a statement.
"Future government talks with the Taliban should not hinge upon denying justice to victims of war crimes and other abuses," said Brad Adams, the group's Asia director.
"Afghanistan's civilians should not be forced to choose between justice and peace."
Citing recent comments by Karzai's peace enjoy Salahuddin Rabbani, HRW said the administration had promised immunity to Taliban officials joining peace talks and that their names would be removed from UN sanctions lists.
Rabbani this month negotiated the release of nine Taliban prisoners held in Pakistani jails in the hope of pushing negotiations forward.
Karzai's government has been desperately trying to broker a peaceful end to the insurgency, which has been led by the Taliban since they were ousted from power by a US-led invasion in 2001.
The Taliban have publicly rejected Karzai's call for peace, dismissing his government as a puppet of the United States.
The militants also broke off exploratory contacts with the United States earlier this year after problems arose over their demand for the release of Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that in 2007 the Afghan parliament, dominated by mujahedin leaders who fought a Soviet occupation and then a civil war, granted themselves immunity from prosecution for human rights abuses.
"Afghanistan has a troubling history of providing amnesty for war crimes," the group said.
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Insurgency is stand still,in different parts of Pakistan by Taliban and tribal areas particularily in Waziristan and adjacent districts. Despite of all,demand is being made for more release.Such behave is not a true efforts for peace in the region,it is called hypocrisy not sincerity. Terrorists activities must be stoped forthwith in return of freedom of Taliban commanders.otherwise there are chances,the train to be derailed.again.
@scaryhairy: TTP is not Taliban although media try their level best to say so.
Don't buy into other people's words, research yourself. Otherwise you will end up like people who believe their own propaganda and can't differentiate TTP from Taliban or Uzbeks from Taliban.
and what about israel's cruelty over Ghaza???
What does HRW has to say about night raids, extra judicial killings and so called collateral damage? What does HRW has to say about the worst human rights offenders(warlords) sitting in Afghan parliament and government? This self righteous attitude is not good for efforts at building peace.
Looks like Soros group was asleep when 500,000 babies were killed by sanctions on Iraq.
“Providing immunity from prosecution for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious human rights abuses violates international law,”
Well that is exactly what they have provided to America.
Genocide: American use of nuclear weapons in Japan and depleted uranium in Iraq and Afghanistan serves only to kill people indiscriminately. Same goes for bombing residential areas in Libya and so on.
War Crimes: Nukes themselves are war crimes, but excluding that the use of biological agent such as Agent Orange in Vietnam and several others tested in Latin America particularly Cuba is a war crime. Hell, violating sovereignty to bomb "suspected militants" every day is also a war crime. Especially if they're only 2% accurate.
Crimes against Humanity: Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib sort of prisons are crimes against humanity. When they hold people like Aafia Siddique there for "attempted murder" charging her for 80+ years in prison, that is a crime against humanity. Consider that to Anders Breivik who killed 77 people and was charged with only 22 years in a much better prison than Guantanamo Bay.
Other serious human right abuses: Chemical weaponry, false flags, killing half a million Iraqi children because of their sanctions after already having destroyed basic facilities in Iraq like hospitals and water purification plants. Some UN official said the price of half a million dead children is worth it. Urinating on dead bodies (I don't even know what to call that), support for Israel slaughtering Gaza...the list goes on.
But you see, they're immune.
We should do the same with TTP. They have to be held accountable for the indiscriminate killing and maiming of thousands in Pakistan.
War crimes, crimes against humanity ...........but George W Bush has immunity ?? Doesn't he or do you'll temporary amnesia ?
So who cares about your "International law" if the violation comes under our national interest? If it happens to be the only solution for the conflict. Do Americans care about International law when they torture the POWs, put them in the cages for ten years without a fair trail, saying this is in the best interest of the American people? It's not a good time for these human rights organizations to go by the book. If letting a murderer getting away can stop more killings, just go for it.
The Afghan government should not grant Taliban representatives amnesty from prosecution for serious crimes as part of talks with the insurgent group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Sunday.
http://rtilive.pk/detail/6868
Right to Information Pakistan Live, RTI Live, Information Pakistan, RTI online Research ORganization, Afghan government, Taliban representatives , Human Rights Watch, HRW, Salahuddin Rabbani, Pakistani government,Brad Adams, High Peace Council
You gotta be kidding me, 1st indict all countries head which attacked Iraq and then talk about afghanistan's talibaan. While we are at it how about the human right crimes done by Afghan coalition govt lets start with Dostum, shall we?