Wurtz calls for Afghanistan ‘war crimes’ inquiry

Date: 05/09/02

By Martin Banks

AN MEP has called for an investigation by the European Parliament into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

Veteran French member Francis Wurtz has written to the chamber's President, Pat Cox, asking him to throw his weight behind calls for an inquiry into atrocities allegedly carried out by Northern Alliance forces.

Wurtz, leader of the European United Left group, said recent evidence of possible war crimes gave 'cause for real concern'. He added: 'I believe the European Parliament has a duty to take appropriate action which means launching its own in-depth investigation.'

His call comes after the United Nations office in Kabul ordered an inquiry into a US air strike on 1 July that left 48 villagers dead and 117 wounded. Twenty-five of those killed, mostly women and children, were attending a wedding.

Human rights workers also believe that Dasht-e-Leili, a desolate expanse in northern Afghanistan, has been used as a mass burial site for Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners.

MEP Francis Wurtz has called for an investigation by the European Parliament into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.