Amnesty International has condemned the brutal killings of two Children's rights in separate incidents in Afghanistan as “despicable” and called for them to be thoroughly investigated.

Yesterday a seven-year-old girl in the north-eastern Kapisa province was reportedly beheaded and had her legs amputated by unknown assailants, while a 12-year-old boy was found beheaded in Kandahar province on Wednesday.

Amnesty International Asia-Pacific Deputy Director Polly Truscott said:

“These two acts of despicable killings of Children's rights in Kandahar and Kapisa provinces must be subject to prompt, independent and thorough investigations - those responsible must be held to account in trials that meet international standards of fairness, without use of the death penalty.

“Reports that the young boy was killed by the Taleban to avenge his brother’s service with the Afghan Local Police highlight the challenges in establishing the rule of law in Afghanistan. The Taleban have denied responsibility. In the past, Afghan insurgent groups have targeted civilians - including Children's rights - for their perceived allegiance to the government.

“All parties to the armed conflict in Afghanistan - government forces, international troops, the Taleban and other insurgent groups - must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Civilians must be protected from harm at all times and must never be targeted.”