SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN ABOUT REPORTS OF MASS GRAVES IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN
Press Release
SG/SM/6399
AFG/75
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN ABOUT REPORTS OF MASS GRAVES IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN
19971118 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General received with deep concern reports about the discovery of mass graves near Shebarghan in the northern Afghan province of Jowzjan, which are said to contain the remains of many soldiers belonging to the Taliban Movement.
The Secretary-General has already asked the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan to make contact with all sides in order to find out more about this sad situation.
Once again, the Secretary-General appeals to all parties to the conflict to respect the Geneva Conventions and cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which should be permitted to have access to all prisoners and wounded fighters in the custody of every party in Afghanistan.
This news is a reminder that all Afghan parties and those countries and organizations which are interested in Afghanistan urgently need to cooperate with the United Nations to put an end to the senseless conflict which has caused so much suffering and damage to the Afghan people.
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