Taliban targets international aid groups

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Taliban targets international aid groups

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NDTV Correspondent

 

Sunday, September 2, 2001 (Kabul):

 

 

Foreign aid workers who were expelled by the Taliban for allegedly preaching Christianity in this devoutly Muslim nation and left Afghanistan on Saturday morning reached neighbouring Pakistan late on Saturday.

 

On Friday, Afghanistan's hardline Islamic rulers shut down the US-based International Assistance Mission (IAM), which began its work in impoverished Afghanistan in 1965. Almost 50 workers -- mostly Americans were expelled.

 

IAM, which operates eye hospitals, clinics and food-related programs throughout the country, had been nervous for some time now about the Taliban's investigations. IAM's foreign and Afghan workers said they were worried that they would be the next international aid group to be targeted. Many of the Afghan staff of IAM had been staying at home, fearing arrest by the Taliban.

 

The international aid organization SERVE, which operated shelter and health-related aid projects, was also closed down.

 

The latest action against relief groups comes as Taliban prepares to try eight foreign aid workers: two Americans, two Germans and four Australians, for allegedly spreading Christianity among Afghans.

 

The jailed workers, who were working with Shelter Now International, were arrested nearly a month ago, along with 16 Afghan staffers. The penalty for proselytizing Christianity in Afghanistan is jail and expulsion for a foreigner. For an Afghan though, the penalty is death.