In the past two years there have been many (one is too many) reported cases of Afghan girls mysteriously falling ill at school. It was widely speculated that members of the Taliban were purposefully poisoning these girls in order to punish/intimidate them from getting an education. Sadly, recent tests have shown that in ten of these cases of ‘mass sickenings’ involved school girls who tested positive for ‘toxic, but not fatal levels of organophosphates, chemicals found in herbicides, pesticides, and nerve gas, in their blood.’
I agree with those who argue that the United States and NATO cannot make strategic policy decisions based solely on human rights and morality reasons, but they matter, and cannot be ignored. These despicable actions shine an ugly, yet bright light on the existing brutal forces challenging not only the standard of living and basic rights for all Afghans (especially women), but their very lives. If these groups are willing to poison little girls with invisible gas, what would they not be willing to do for their ’cause’? These types of horrendous stories must not be swept under other news, they must be put under a microscope and shone on with spotlights. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put out this dispatch regarding the story:
The United States is deeply concerned by the recent poisonings of Afghan school children in Kabul. While details of these attacks are still being verified, Afghan schools, teachers, and students, particularly girls, are regularly targeted by anti-government elements seeking to destabilize Afghanistan and undermine progress. We condemn such attacks and are working with the Afghan government to address this important issue and prevent further incidents from occurring.
Afghanistan and the United States, together with 40 other co-sponsors, presented a joint resolution to the Human Rights Council that was adopted by consensus in June concerning attacks on innocent students, particularly girls, in Afghanistan. We urge the international community to continue their support for the Government of Afghanistan in combating repression and violence against girls seeking an education, and in bringing to justice those responsible for these appalling attacks.
Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims, and we assure the government and all the people of Afghanistan that the United States will stand by you as you continue working to bring peace and stability to your country.
The Taliban have once been in charge of most of Afghanistan and they ruled it with brutal totalitarianism and are clearly hoping to do so again. For them, these poisonous gas incidents are in fact nothing out of the ordinary.
