UNITED NATIONS (Islamweb & News Agencies) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan told Afghanistan's Taliban rulers on Friday they were in violation of international law for denying legal or consular representation to foreign aid workers held for allegedly promoting Christianity.
He also cautioned in a statement that the detention of the aid workers could have ``severe consequences'' on humanitarian assistance at a time when Afghans were suffering from dislocation and extreme poverty caused by drought and the country's protracted civil war.
Western diplomats have been seeking access to eight foreign aid workers -- four Germans, two Australians and two Americans from the German-based Christian relief agency Shelter Now International -- arrested with 16 Afghan colleagues two weeks ago.
The Taliban, who espouse a purist form of Islam, are also investigating the U.N. World Food Program and other agencies for ties to proselytizing.
Taliban authorities have detained the workers on charges of spreading Christianity and say they have seized Christian materials written in local languages from the group.
Shelter Now, which says it tells its workers not to proselytize in countries such as Afghanistan, denies the charges.
Western diplomats have so far been denied access to the aid workers despite international customs that allow for consular access by a representative from a detained person's country within 24 hours.
Those convicted of either converting Afghan Muslims or having converted from Islam are subject to the death penalty.
PHOTO CAPTION:
This is an exterior view of Darul Tadeeb, or reform house, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 17, 2001. It is believed that aid workers of NGO Shelter Now International are detained inside after being arrested by Taliban authorities in charge of preaching Christianity in Afghanistan. The Taliban refused Western diplomats to see jailed foreign aid workers held for nearly two weeks. (AP Photo/Amir Shah)
- Aug 17 4:16 AM ET