Amnesty group writes to president

The group are writing to Hamid Karzai in Kabul to urge him to ensure that the women in the country are protected from attacks by the Taliban and other armed groups.

The decision comes as British and other troops are about to hand over security responsibility to Afghan forces.

Peter Bedwell, of the Shoreham and Worthing group, said: “The Taliban and other armed groups appear to be stepping up attacks on prominent Afghan women.

“In the past few months alone we’ve seen two senior female police officers murdered, two women MPs attacked, and a much-admired writer who chronicled abuse by the Taliban shot dead outside her home.”

Peter Bedwell added: “During their time in power the Taliban were notorious for their cruelty toward Afghanistan’s women and girls, and this doesn’t appear to have changed.

“If president Karzai is responsible for Afghan security, surely that must include protecting Afghan women from the men with Kalashnikovs.

“Our own government has said that women’s rights in Afghanistan are a key priority and we hope that with the support of our local MPs we can encourage ministers to remain firmly focused on this during a crucial time for Afghanistan.”

The group will also be writing to local MPs for further support on the issue.

For more information, contact Peter Bedwell on 01273 461422.