PAN, December 10, 2011

In Kabul, hundreds rally for trial of war criminals

A large number of women took part in the rally organised by the Social Association of Afghan Justice Seekers (SAAJS)

Muhammad Hasan Khitab

KABUL (PAN): Hundreds of people rallied in Kabul on Saturday, International Human Rights Day, calling for trying war criminals.

A large number of women took part in the rally organised by the Social Association of Afghan Justice Seekers (SAAJS).

The rally began at around 9:30am at the Sadarat Square and culminated in the Deh Afghanan area, with protestors chanting slogans against war criminals and calling for abolition of an amnesty law.

Carrying photos of war victims, the demonstrators asked the government to bring to justice people involved in mass murder over the past three decades.

SAAJS head, Weda Ahmad, told Pajhwok Afghan News the demonstration was aimed at placing war criminals on trial.

"Still different kinds of crimes are being committed in Afghanistan and families of war victims want bloodthirsty criminals to be put on trial," the organiser added.

"We will pursue these criminals and those who committed mass killing during Taliban rule and after the invasion of the country by Americans and their allies."

Ahmad maintained violence against women had reached its peak and still women and children were being subjected to different forms of violence.

Reha Naween, one of the protestors, said war criminals and mass killers were in the government and Parliament and they must be tried.

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