Warlords create 'climate of fear' in Afghanistan

Warlords are creating a “climate of fear” in Afghanistan that is threatening efforts to draft a new constitution and could derail national elections expected next year, a human rights group has said.

In a report released last night, New York-based Human Rights Watch accused soldiers and police loyal to powerful warlords – many of whom are in the government – of kidnapping, extortion, robbery and the rape of women, girls and boys.