SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMAYED AT REPORTS OF TALIBAN PROPOSAL TO ORDER ‘IDENTITY LABELS’ FOR NON-MUSLIM AFGHANS

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMAYED AT REPORTS OF TALIBAN PROPOSAL

TO ORDER ‘IDENTITY LABELS’ FOR NON-MUSLIM AFGHANS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is dismayed by reports of a proposal by the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan to force non-Muslim citizens of their country to wear identity labels on their clothing.  Such an order would constitute a grave violation of human rights, and recalls some of the most deplorable acts of discrimination in history.  The Secretary-General appeals to the Taliban leadership to reject this proposal, and to focus their efforts on alleviating the suffering of their people, who yearn for peace and security.

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