Key facts
- Human Rights Watch is calling on the United Nations to maintain peacekeepers in Lebanon.
- HRW cites escalating hostilities in Lebanon as a reason for keeping peacekeepers.
- HRW urges the protection of civilians and deterrence of human rights abuses in Lebanon.
- Human Rights Watch is calling for the release of UN and NGO staff detained in Afghanistan.
- HRW is concerned about forced disappearances in Afghanistan.
- HRW is concerned about the obstruction of aid delivery in Afghanistan.
- The Taliban government states it is gathering details on the detentions in Afghanistan.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued calls to two separate international bodies concerning ongoing human rights issues in Lebanon and Afghanistan. In Lebanon, HRW is urging the United Nations to maintain its international peacekeeping force beyond the current mandate. The organization cites the escalating hostilities in the region and the critical need for the force to protect civilians and deter human rights abuses.
Concurrently, HRW is pressing the Taliban government in Afghanistan to release United Nations and non-governmental organization (NGO) staff who have reportedly been detained. HRW has raised concerns regarding potential forced disappearances and the obstruction of vital aid delivery to the Afghan population. The Taliban government has responded by stating that it is in the process of gathering details concerning these reported detentions.