According to Human Rights Watch, Taliban troops had carried out more than 100 summary executions and enforced disappearances in only four Afghan provinces in a series of retribution attacks since August, when the militant group assumed power following the withdrawal of Western soldiers.
Attacks were documented between August and October in Ghazni, Helmand, Kandahar, and Kunduz provinces, although similar instances are thought to have occurred throughout Afghanistan.
"They were going after the folks with whom they had fought. And many of the cases we reviewed included individuals who were truly on the front lines, individuals who were known to the Taliban in certain areas," report author Patricia Gossman told VOA in an interview.
Revenge
She stated that the attacks occurred despite Taliban assurances that they would not pursue vengeance.
"They claimed to have offered amnesty from their high authorities in Kabul. However, what we observe on the ground indicates that this is not the case, at least for some people. They are specifically targeting individuals based on personal relationships and enmities or on the part they played," Gossman explained.
Sixty-seven in-person and telephone interviews with witnesses, family, former government officials, and Taliban officials gathered evidence.
Employment history
According to the report, the Taliban exploited employment records left behind by the previous government to identify individuals for arrest and execution.
"What began as a rush of first vengeance killings in the early weeks appears to be considerably more calculated now. It has extended to other provinces, and it appears to be part of a strategy to prevent opposition from remobilizing against them," Gossman told VOA.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Taliban leadership instructed members of surrendering Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) units to register with them to acquire a letter ensuring their protection. "However, the Taliban have used these screenings to detain and execute or forcibly disappear individuals within days of their registration, leaving their bodies for relatives or communities to discover," the report states.
It refers to the death of Baz Muhammad, who worked for the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the former Afghan state intelligence organization, in Kandahar province.
"Around September 30, Taliban forces raided his home in Kandahar and arrested him; his body was later discovered by relatives. The murder occurred approximately 45 days after the Taliban took control of the country, implying that senior officials ordered or were aware of the killing," the report states.
Raids at night
Human Rights Watch has accused previous Afghan governments of employing enforced disappearances against their adversaries, including Taliban fighters and supporters. They charge the Taliban with using similar tactics. "[They] have also conducted abusive search operations, including night raids, in order to apprehend and, in some cases, forcibly disappear suspected former civilian and security force officials," the study states.
Additionally, it accuses the Taliban of targeting individuals suspected of supporting the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), an Islamic State affiliate.
Taliban rebuttal
The Taliban informed human Rights Watch that they have terminated those responsible for violations but did not receive any additional information or evidence.
In an address broadcast Saturday on state television, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Hassan Akhund - who claims to be Afghanistan's prime minister - accused previous government officials of fomenting unrest.
"Nation, exercise caution. Those who remain in hiding from the previous government are making remarks and instilling fear, driving the populace to distrust their government. Nation, be watchful to prevent the enemy from overrunning us once more, defying our sacred government and security," Akhund warned.
Human Rights Watch is urging the United Nations to maintain its examination and investigation of Taliban crimes.
Humanitarian catastrophe
The United States, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund froze $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets. It halted cash flows to the country after the Taliban overthrew President Ashraf Ghani's internationally recognized administration on August 15.
Aid groups warn of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe, with millions of Afghans unemployed or underpaid, essential services on the verge of collapse, and many Afghans forced to escape their homes.
"We fear and expect that up to 23 million Afghans will face food insecurity at emergency levels. This situation is expected to deteriorate further over the winter," Deborah Lyons, the United Nations Assistance Mission chief in Afghanistan, warned earlier this month.
