Civilians caught in the middle in Afghanistan

According to Human Rights Watch more than 1,000 civilians were killed in Afghanistan in 2006, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday. This year’s overall death toll of 4,400 – double the 2005 numbers - makes 2006 the bloodiest year in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion.

Sam Zafiri, Asia research director of Human Rights Watch declared that Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the donor nations in general are failing in their promises to enhance security and enforce human rights. “Afghanistan hasn’t really met any of the benchmarks. Life is so dangerous that many Afghans don’t feel safe enough to go to school, get health care, or take goods to market,” Zafiri said.

Meanwhile, leading international actors have reinforced their commitment to Afghan reconstruction. Last week, the U.S. pledged an additional $10.6 billion, and the E.U. is looking to donate $780 million.

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