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Targeted Killing of Journalists, Activists Spike After Afghan Peace Talks
Begin, UN Says

Ayesha Tanzeem

   ISLAMABAD - A United Nations report published Monday points to a sharp
   increase in targeted killings of human rights defenders and journalists
   in Afghanistan since peace talks started between the Taliban and Afghan
   government last September. At least 11 rights activists and journalists
   have been killed in the period starting September 12.

   Analyzing data from the beginning of 2018 to date, the report published
   by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, says
   there has been "a distinct change in the type of killings."

   Previously, journalists or activists mostly became victims of general
   attacks on the population, such as suicide blasts or other kinds of
   explosions.

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