Afghan security forces "not ready"

(Embargoed to 0001GMT Tuesday May 10) LONDON, May 9 (KUNA) -- A leading charity has warned that Afghan security forces are not ready to take over security responsibilities from NATO troops, suggesting the professionalism and accountability of the nation's police and army raise "serious concerns".
In the wake of the death of Osama bin Laden, some NATO forces have said they will consider an early withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan, but Oxfam, along with other human rights charities, warned Tuesday that "violations" by Afghan forces could escalate as they take on a frontline role.
The charities have called for the training of the forces to be "urgently stepped up" by coalition troops.
By 2014, the Afghan security forces will take full responsibility for the protection of the country's citizens but a new report, titled No Time To Lose, alleges the forces have been involved with abuses of civilians such as torture, killings, and sexual abuse of children.
"As international forces prepare for a phased withdrawal of troops, in the lead up to transition, time to develop the professionalism and accountability of the national security forces is running out.
"It's not too late; but an adequate response will not be possible without genuine political will at the highest levels of civilian and military leadership, both Afghan and international." At least 10 percent of the 2,777 Afghan civilians who died as a result of the conflict in 2010 were killed by their own security forces, the report claims.
It says that coalition forces are not doing enough to prevent the abuses and they have been too slow to address the issues. The authors have also called for better "checks and balances" to be put in place to ensure the accountability of the police and army.
"As greater responsibility is handed over to the national security forces, there is a serious risk that unless adequate accountability mechanisms are put into place, violations of human rights and humanitarian law may escalate - and Afghan civilians will pay the price," the report says.
It suggests the Afghan forces are ill-equipped to deal with civilian casualties that they cause and there are no effective systems for citizens to lodge a complaint against the police and the army.
"The Afghan people have high hopes for their security forces," said Oxfam report author Rebecca Barber.
"They need to know these forces will protect them and be brought to justice if they commit abuses - or public trust and confidence in the government could be seriously undermined.
"Billions have been spent in Afghanistan and thousands of lives have been lost.
"The sacrifices on all sides should not be in vain. A trained army and police forces that are accountable to their own people is key to the legacy the international community will leave behind and crucial for establishing lasting security in Afghanistan." There is no time to lose." The in-depth report has estimated that there are 40,000 police in the country who have had no training at all and claims that NATO has prioritised "quantity over quality".(end) he.wsa KUNA 091003 May 11NNNN