United Nations Radio

The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed concern about the killing of dozens of civilians in a military operation in the Shindand district of Herat province.

In a statement issued today, Kai Eide says there is convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses and others that 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men. Fifteen other villagers were wounded.

The envoy says that UNAMA's human rights team met with local elders and interviewed people from a number of households in Nawab village who confirmed that foreign and Afghan military personnel carried out operations in the area last Thursday.

Eide says the destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some seven to eight houses having been totally destroyed and many others seriously damaged.

The Secretary-General's envoy reminded all parties engaged in the conflict in Afghanistan of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians.

For United Nations Radio, I'm Dianne Penn

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