Tens of thousands of Afghan civilians left without justice, UN warns

The UN mission in Afghanistan has revealed the scale of civilian casualties across decades of armed conflict, with figures showing that over 40,000 non-combatants were killed and approximately 77,000 wounded in attacks and military operations.

The documentation of these casualties underscores a critical gap in the country's accountability mechanisms, with victims and their families facing significant barriers to obtaining justice or compensation for their losses. The UN's findings highlight the humanitarian toll of the protracted conflict on Afghanistan's civilian population.

The mission's assessment comes amid international scrutiny over how the country addresses past atrocities and supports those affected by violence. Afghan authorities and the international community continue to grapple with questions about transitional justice and how to address grievances stemming from the conflict.

The figures represent documented cases recorded by UN monitors, though actual casualty figures are believed by many observers to be significantly higher due to underreporting and access limitations in remote areas. The disclosure adds pressure on Afghan and international stakeholders to establish mechanisms that provide survivors and bereaved families with recognition, reparations, and paths toward accountability.