UN Internal Security Document Says Threats And Intimidation Against Staff In Afghanistan, Taliban Will Investigate

Illustration of the facilities of the UN mission in Afghanistan UNAMA. (Source: UNAMA/Fardin Waezi)

JAKARTA - A leaked UN internal security document mentions a number of threats and intimidation experienced by local staff in Afghanistan, related to the return of the Taliban to power in the country.

The Taliban stopped a UN staff member in Afghanistan as he tried to reach Kabul airport on Sunday. They searched his vehicle and found his UN identification. Then they beat him.

On Monday, three unidentified men visited the home of another UN staff member who was working at the time. They asked the son where his father was, and accused him of lying. "We know his location and what he's doing," the three men said, citing Reuters Aug. 26.

The incidents are among dozens contained in internal UN security documents seen by Reuters that describe veiled threats, looting of UN offices and physical abuse of staff since August 10, shortly before the Taliban came to power.

While the Taliban have tried to reassure Afghan and Western powers that they will respect the rights of the people, reports of retaliation have undermined trust, at least among those associated with foreign organizations.

The Taliban did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the UN's list of incidents. The group said it would investigate the reported abuses, and also encouraged aid organizations to continue their work.

The United Nations said it did not comment on the leaked security documents. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric added: "The responsible authorities in Kabul are responsible for the safety and security of UN staff and premises. We are in constant contact with them on that."

The United Nations has relocated about a third of its 300 foreign staff in Afghanistan to Kazakhstan. He also stressed that they want to maintain their presence to help the Afghan people.

There are about 3,000 Afghan UN staff still in the country. A UN spokesman said the world body was in contact with other countries to urge them to grant visas or support the temporary relocation of some of them.

The UN risk assessment on Aug. 21, reported by Reuters on Tuesday, said there was no coherent command and control within the Taliban.

Meanwhile, a UN Afghan worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters he was aware of at least 50 Afghan staff who were warned or threatened by the Taliban, adding, "UN national staff who are under serious direct threat from the Taliban should be evacuated."

He said the threats did not all have to do with people's status at the UN, but were a function of the Taliban's push to impose control over Kabul.

To note, thousands of people have fled Afghanistan since the Taliban entered Kabul on August 15, boarding military and commercial flights from the capital where the airport has become the scene of deadly chaos.

Others, including those working in advocacy and human rights, believe they could be targets for retaliation after scores of people were killed in alleged targeted Taliban attacks last year.