Afghanistan: UN receives reports of Taliban summary executions

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet says her office has credible reports of serious violations by the Taliban. They include summary executions, blocking girls from attending school and recruitment of child soldiers.

The Taliban have carried out door-to-door searches for their opponents in some provinces

The United Nations' top human rights official, Michelle Bachelet, on Tuesday said her office had received credible reports of grave human rights abuses by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Though the ultraconservative Islamists have sought to present themselves as more moderate since taking control of the country, evidence gathered by the UN suggests otherwise.

What did the UN's human rights chief say?

Bachelet said there were reports of summary executions from areas under Taliban control — against both civilians and Afghan soldiers.

She also said there was evidence that the Taliban were restricting women's rights — such as their right to freely move around — blocking girls from attending school, and recruiting child soldiers.

Bachelet urged the UN Human Rights Council to set up a mechanism to closely monitor Taliban actions now that the ultraconservative Islamists have taken power in Afghanistan.

"Taliban spokespeople have made specific commitments to respect women's right to work and girls' right to attend school, within the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law," Bachelet said. "They have also said they will respect the rights of members of ethnic and religious minorities and refrain from reprisals against those who have worked with the government or the international community."

"The onus is now fully on the Taliban to translate these commitments into reality," she said.