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End the itali-ban
By Zoë Williams
williamz@mscd.edu

In October 2001, the Italy-based international aid organization Emergency was the only nongovernmental organization to remain in Afghanistan as the U.S. and Britain declared war. Holding residence in Afghanistan since 1999, Emergency continued to operate three surgical centers, a maternity center, 25 clinics and six Afghan jail clinics completely free of charge.

On April 11, the head of the U.S.-backed Afghan intelligence services declared that Emergency is working with the Taliban in Afghanistan and is thus an ally to terrorists. Subsequently, Emergency has been forced to withdraw its entire foreign staff and leave the hospitals to local management.
Seventy percent of Afghans have no access to medical health professionals, according the United Nations. In a nation with 10 million land mines and unexploded cluster bombs, topped with three decades of conflict, numerous natural disasters and crippling poverty, a health crisis has surfaced.

Emergency has treated 1.4 million Afghans for illness and injury. Emergency care centers treat any patient, regardless of nationality, religion, organizational affiliation or military membership. These programs are initiated in the belief that no war can be just and operated in the spirit of promoting solidarity.

In Afghanistan, Emergency recently aided negotiations to release Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo from the Taliban, transporting messages between Rome, Kabul and the Taliban. Following the release of Mastrogiacomo, Emergency’s Rahmatullah Hanefi – who delivered the messages – was arrested and detained in Kabul without charge or evidence.

The claims of the U.S.-backed Afghan government are substantiated by little more than a dislike for the objectives of Emergency. Emergency operates in complete opposition to armed combat with the knowledge that, since World War II, 90 percent of victims of war are civilians.

Civilians are the people who will feel the brunt of repression against Emergency, which operates in more than 10 countries. Should the Afghan government pursue further charges against the group, the U.S. may back them, resulting in an end to free, high-quality health care for civilians. If this is a risk we are willing to take, then we are willing to risk the future of all notions of human rights.