CIVIC: Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict

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Background on monetary payments in Afghanistan: Explanation of Monetary Payments for civilian victims

Afghanistan Reports

published on April 12, 2010

published on February 18, 2009

Latest news: Afghanistan

The Conflict

Afghanistan has suffered from more than three decades of armed conflict. Millions of civilians have fled their homes, and thousands more have been killed or injured. In October 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban and destroy al-Qaeda's infrastructure. U.S.-led International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and the Afghan National Army are now waging a counterinsurgency against the Taliban and other militants. Civilian casualties remain a tragic consequence of the violence. The United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported 2009 as the deadliest year for civilians since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Civilian deaths increased to 2,412, up 14% from 2008. In an attempt to limit civilian casualties, IS

AF commander G

en. Stanley McChrystal issued several new tactical directives in 2009 and 2010, to limit the use of air strikes and to conduct more culturally appropriate night raids. The new approach places greater emphasis on protecting Afghan civilians than on killing insurgents.

Afghanistan faces many challenges. It remains one of the poorest countries in the world, and the government faces allegations of large-scale corruption. Though the country has received billions of dollars in aid, much of the aid has been criticized as being ineffective and poorly managed.

CIVIC's Work

In 2009, CIVIC released the groundbreaking reportLosing the People: The Costs and Consequences of Civilian Suffering in Afghanistan, based on a year of on-the-ground research. This is the first report to examine the war's impact on civilians, document existing compensation, support and relief efforts, and provide recommendations to the warring parties on addressing civilian harm.

In 2010, CIVIC followed up with Addressing Civilian Harm in Afghanistan: Policies & Practices of International Forces, documenting the compensation policies and practices of major ISAF troop-contributing nations. CIVIC found that no two countries address civilian harm in the same way, leaving Afghans with a confusing, often-disrespectful response to their suffering.

In ongoing advocacy based on its research, CIVIC participated in high-level meetings at ISAF headquarters in Kabul and at NATO headquarters in Brussels to press for a uniform compensation system among all ISAF contributing nations - a goal at least partially realized in June of 2010 when NATO adopted nonbinding guidelines for compensation to civilians in Afghanistan.

CIVIC, with U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, helped create the first-ever U.S. funded program to aid war victims in Afghanistan (the Afghan Civilian Assistance Program, ACAP) and each year works to secure millions of dollars for it through the U.S. Congress. CIVIC continues to closely monitor civilian deaths in Afghanistan and any amends they may receive; they advocate among international forces for proper implementation of NATO's non-binding guidelines on compensation to ensure that all Afghan victims of of the conflict receive the help and recognition they deserve.

Collaborative Efforts

CIVIC collaborates with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the Afghan Civilian Assistance Program (ACAP). We also work closely with other advocacy partners on the issue of civilian causalties including Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, Open Society Foundations and Oxfam International.

Civilian Casualties (deaths only)

2010: 2,777(UNAMA)  
2009: 2,412 (UNAMA)
2008: 2,118 (UNAMA)
2007: 1,633 (Human Rights Watch)
2006: 929 (Human Rights Watch)

Displacement

-As of January 2011, over 350 thousand Afghans are displaced within their own country. (UNHCR)
-As of January 2011, there are over three million Afghan refugees cannot come home. (UNHCR)

Publications

No Time to Lose, Joint Briefing Paper, published May 10, 2011

Nowhere to Turn: The Failure to Protect Civilians in Afghanistan, Joint Briefing Paper, published November, 19, 2010

Addressing Civilian Harm in Afghanistan: Policies & Practices of International Forces, published on April 12, 2010

Losing the People: The Costs and Consequences of Civilian Suffering in Afghanistan,published on February 18, 2009

Event: CIVIC at the New America Foundation - Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan February 17, 2010

Backgrounder: Condolence Payments

Backgrounder: Afghan Civilian Assistance Program

CIVIC on Afghanistan

Press release: Afghanistan: Gen. Petraeus Must Make Amends for Children Killed, March 3, 2011

Press release: Afghanistan/Iraq: US Military Must Improve Compensation for Civilian Losses, June, 7, 2010

Press release: Afghanistan: Obama, Karzai Right to Openly Discuss Civilian Casualties, May 13, 2010

Press release: Afghanistan: Lack of Consistency and Coordination Undermine Compensation Efforts, April 12, 2010

McClatchy Newspapers: U.S. Military Aims to Save More Civilian Lives in Afghanistan, April 9, 2010

Christian Science Monitor: Afghanistan war: New rules of engagement don't pit civilians vs. soldiers, March 10, 2010

To hear what civilians are saying in Afghanistan, visit: A Voice for Survivors

For policy and program inquiries:
Marla Keenan
+1 202 558 0342
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For press inquiries:
Liz Lucas
+1 202 558 6958
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