Afghanistan: Information on the Afghan government's treatment of former Communists, government employees and KHAD (secret police) members in 1993
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AFG15369.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Afghanistan: Information on the Afghan government's treatment of former Communists, government employees and KHAD (secret police) members in 1993, 1 November 1993, AFG15369.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac0830.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a representative of Amnesty International in Toronto, persons closely related to the former regime of Afghanistan or officials of the former regime are "at risk of serious human rights violations" by government forces and members of the Mujahedin groups (2 Nov. 1993)
Elaborating on the current status of women in Afghanistan, a Toronto Amnesty International report states
Amnesty International has received many reports of rape of women and looting of their homes by Mujahedeen groups belonging to the different Mujahedeen factions. In most cases, these raids were directed against the homes or workplace of women who had been working in offices of the former government. The government did not intervene to stop these raids but instead began removing women from positions in government offices. Women working in radio and television were also dismissed from their positions (21 July 1993).
Referring to local powers in Afghanistan, The Economist states that "[o]fficials of the old Communist regime are not harassed" in the city of Herat which is controlled by a Mujahedin group (24 July 1993). The source does not specify whether or not "officials" also include former KHAD members.
While not directly providing information on the treatment of former government and KHAD employees, the two attached Amnesty International Weekly Updates refer to "widespeard human rights violations" and "large-scale reports of torture, including rape, hostage-taking, extrajudicial executions and other deliberate and arbitrary killings" in Afghanistan.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Amnesty International, Toronto. 2 November 1993. Telephone interview with representative.
_____. 21 July 1993. "Re: Amnesty International's Concerns Regarding the Treatment of Women in Afghanistan."
The Economist [London]. 24 July 1993. "Afghanistan: War and Peace." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Amnesty International. 21 July 1993. "Re: Amnesty International's Concerns Regarding the Treatment of Women in Afghanistan."
_____. 4 June 1993. Weekly Update. (AI Index NWS 11/56/93). London: Amnesty International Publications.
_____. 19 March 1993. Weekly Update. (AI Index NWS 11/22/93). London: Amnesty International Publications.
The Economist [London]. 24 July 1993. "Afghanistan: War and Peace." (NEXIS)
