NANGARHAR - Tired of filing news reports on civilian casualties and other war reports, a local group of journalists and writers submitted a petition to the local government authorities as well as the United Nations in Afghanistan’s eastern region earlier this week, calling for greater protection of civilians in the armed conflict.

The Independent Association of Writers and Journalists, an umbrella body of about 150 media persons and writers based in four eastern Afghan provinces, said the move was triggered by increasing number of conflict-related incidents harming civilians.

The 8 April move follows the deaths of at least 11 civilians, including 10 children and one woman, and injuries to seven others, in an armed clash during a joint operation of the Afghan and international troops against the Taliban on 6 April in Shaigal Wa Shiltan district of the eastern Kunar province.

While expressing its serious concern over the deaths and injuries, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the Afghan National Security Forces and the international military forces should take all measures aimed at preventing harm to civilians during military operations, “including those which involve the use of aerial force.”

In their petition submitted to the Governor of Nangarhar province and UNAMA, the journalists and writers said, “We are tired of war reports and stories, so we do not want conflict anymore.” They also demanded punishment to the perpetrators.

“The Independent Association of Journalists, as a civil society organization, calls on parties of conflict to stop civilian casualties and stop using civilians as (human) shield,” said the petition.

Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar and Nuristan have 22 radio stations and 5 television stations, most of them being run by the government.

Rahmatullah Ziarmal, a reporter with the Ariana TV, said the journalists are resolute about not reporting “achievements and successes” of warring sides (government forces and armed opposition) unless they stop killing civilians.

“We will only report civilian killings and problems of civilians," said Mr. Ziarmal, who is also the secretary of the Association.