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Brussels - In spring 2004, five employees of Médecins Sans Frontières were killed in their car, while on the way to their base from a rural clinic in north Afghanistan.
In response MSF stopped all its activities in the country and asked the Afghan authorities to conduct a proper investigation into the killings. In the immediate aftermath not much happened, but after repeated calls from the families and MSF, the Afghan government took more action.
Now the court in Kabul has acquitted two murder suspects, Abdul Latif and Shampaq, yet sentenced them respectively to 1 and 5 years in prison for "failing to prevent the killings". MSF does not understand the meaning of the sentence, and fears that it could be the end of the investigations.
MSF is disappointed by this verdict. The numerous glitches in the judicial process that have been revealed to us raise a lot of questions about this case. It also sparks doubt as to the way the rest of the case will be dealt with in the future. We even fear that no further steps may be taken in that court case.
The main suspect, Hadji Yaqub, is still in custody awaiting further trial but we still do not know about the motives behind the killings, which is causing us great frustration. To add to the confusion, MSF has learnt that the reason why it is taking so long for Yaqub’s trial to take place is that his file has been lost.
This case gives a worrying signal when it comes to the security and the respect of humanitarian workers in Afghanistan. MSF expects the government to protect civilians, such as humanitarian aid workers and the Afghan population to the best of its ability. And this includes preventative as well as judicial measures.
MSF keeps an eye on the Afghan context and is aware that there are still humanitarian needs in many parts of the country. But resuming activities is entirely dependent on both needs and security assessments. For the moment, security conditions are not met to even consider exploratory missions.
MSF will continue to follow closely the judicial process in the hope that justice will be done for its five staff members who were murdered while working for the organisation.
MSF also wishes to take this opportunity to express its solidarity with the families of Hélène de Beir, Pim Kwint, Egil Tynaes, Fasil Ahmad and Besmillah.
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