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Dutch court rules 2007 Dutch bombing in Afghanistan was illegal

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A Dutch court ruled on Wednesday the shelling by Dutch soldiers of a residential complex in the Afghan province of Uruzgan in June 2007 was illegal, adding the Netherlands should compensate the victims, Reuters reported.

The Dutch Defence Ministry had asked prosecutors almost two years ago to look into this bombing, which killed dozens of civilians, following a report by a war veteran questioning the legitimacy of this action in the Chora valley.

"The Netherlands was responsible for the shelling of the houses. It was known these houses were inhabited by civilians. The State invoked the fact the taliban used the houses for military purposes (...) and thus that the bombing was not unlawful," the court in The Hague said in a statement.

"But the court rules that the State hasn't sufficiently made clear on what basis it came to the conclusion that these houses were being used by the taliban (...) therefore the bombing is illegal."

The court also said the amount of the victims' compensation should be determined at a later date, Reuters reported.

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IEA’s minister of culture meets with EU diplomat over preserving Afghan culture

“Protection of cultural heritage is not only the duty of Afghans, rather, it is the duty of the world to fully cooperate with Afghanistan in this field,” he said.

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Khairullah Khairkhwa, Afghanistan’s minister of information and culture, this week met with Veronika Boskovic Pohar, the new EU charge d'affaires, to discuss the protection of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.

According to the ministry, both sides discussed and exchanged opinions on the protection of cultural heritage, its value and public awareness on the issue.

At the meeting, Khairkhwa voiced appreciation for the EU’s cooperation in the field of cultural heritage protection, and emphasized the need for further development of relations.

"Protection of cultural heritage is not only the duty of Afghans, rather, it is the duty of the world to fully cooperate with Afghanistan in this field," he said.

Pohar in turn assured the minister of the EU’s continued cooperation in this respect.

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Muttaqi meets with UAE’s Deputy PM during Gulf state visit

The meeting was also attended by Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, the UAE’s Minister of State.

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Afghanistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi on Wednesday met with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the UAE, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for talks on various issues including the Islamic Emirate’s aspirations for stability, development and prosperity in the country.

The two diplomats also discussed progress made in Afghanistan over the past three years.

In addition, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them to achieve the mutual interests of both countries, promoting prosperity and welfare for their peoples.

According to a statement issued by the UAE’s ministry of foreign affairs, Al Nahyan and Muttaqi also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.

Additionally, they reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in several sectors, particularly in economic and developmental fields, while supporting reconstruction and development efforts in Afghanistan.

The meeting was also attended by Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, the UAE’s Minister of State.

Also on Wednesday, Muttaqi met with India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai where they discussed the need to strengthen bilateral ties.

Misri reaffirmed India's long-standing friendship with the people of Afghanistan, and emphasized the strong people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Misri highlighted India's commitment to addressing Afghanistan's urgent developmental needs and extending humanitarian support.

The discussions also included an assessment of India's ongoing humanitarian assistance programs in Afghanistan.

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Hundreds of veterans and others urge Trump to continue resettling Afghans

The letter calls on Trump and congressional leaders to continue funding the resettlement of at-risk Afghans and their families

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Hundreds of veterans and current and former U.S. officials want President-elect Donald Trump to preserve U.S. special visa and resettlement programs for Afghans at risk of retribution for working for the United States during the 20-year war against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

The letter, signed by the veterans, officials and others, will be sent to Trump and congressional leaders and was organized by #AfghanEvac, the leading coalition of groups that work with the U.S. government to help Afghans start new lives in the United States.

"Many of us have worked closely with Afghan interpreters, soldiers and families who risked everything to protect and guide us," said a draft of the letter.

"To abandon them now would be a betrayal of the values we fought to defend and the trust built through years of shared struggle and sacrifice."

The letter calls on Trump and congressional leaders to continue funding the resettlement of at-risk Afghans and their families and for Congress to approve an additional 50,000 Special Immigration Visas (SIVs), Reuters reported.

The current cap of 50,500 SIVs is expected to run out late this summer or early fall.

The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Shawn VanDiver, the head of #AfghanEvac, said the letter reflected concerns that Trump will curtail the SIV and resettlement programs as part of his promised crackdown on immigration.

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