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February 19, 2015

Taliban, U.S. to Hold Qatar Peace Talks; Afghan Civilian Casualties Up 22% in 2014 
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Members of the Taliban in Afghanistan are reportedly set to hold a new
round of peace talks with U.S. officials in Qatar. There is no firm
timetable, but a Pakistani official said the negotiations could begin in
March. The news comes as United Nations officials reported a 22 percent
spike in Afghan civilian casualties last year.

Nicholas Haysom, U.N. envoy in Afghanistan: "Civilian causalities
increased once again by 22 percent in comparison to those of 2013. UNAMA
[United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan] documented more than
10,000 civilian causalities in 2014, the highest number of civilian
deaths and injuries recorded in a single year since 2009."

Georgette Gagnon, U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan: "We saw a 40
percent increase in children causalities, with some 2,700 children
killed and injured, compared to 2013 and an increase in women
causalities by 21 percent, with some 300 women killed and 611 injured."

 

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