The kidnapping of South Koreans in Afghanistan shocked the world. Among the 23 people kidnapped two have been killed and the rest still not released.
Since 2006, both scale and frequency have risen in Taliban militants' kidnapping of foreigners. Since March this year, the organization has abducted Italians, French, Germans and South Koreans in succession, with the total number exceeding 30. In fact, kidnapping against foreigners also happens in many other parts of the world. Statistics showed many cases since this year in Nigeria, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine and other countries or regions, and in Nigeria alone more than 100 foreign nationals have been taken.
As the number increases, the target of kidnapping also widens. More and more innocent civilians fell victim, including tourists, engineers and journalists. Taliban has reportedly declared that all foreigners within Afghanistan would be their targets. For Taliban, abduction is not only an act of hatred, but more a means for tangible benefits since holding hostages as a bargaining counter it could demand money from related nations, voice its political needs to the Afghan government and have its own staff back from an "enemy" in exchange.
Kidnap is a radical, extreme means that could never serve a fundamental solution for it can neither narrow political rifts nor defuse violent conflicts. The final settlement of clashes and disputes only lies in peaceful talks. "Peace is the most precious" should thus become an idea accepted and carried out by all human kind.
By People's Daily Online</I>
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article