Afghanistan: Refugees fleeing the war are an international responsibility

The international community must take responsibility for the refugees who have fled the bombing campaign. Pledges of international assistance at the start of the war have not materialised to the extent needed and thousands of people are living in desperate conditions. The UN refugee agency has only enough money to provide assistance to the end of the year. Refugees stranded in 'no-man's-land' who talked to Amnesty International do not even have shelter or enough to eat.

Amnesty International's Secretary General, Irene Khan, will be lobbying for international refugee assistance during her visit to Pakistan around Human Rights Day (December 10).