US watchdog files report on child abuse by Afghanistan’s security forces

Afghan officials are failing to stop members of its security forces committing child sex abuse, a US government watchdog told congress.

The main issue in its classified report is “bacha bazi” – where military officers own boy slaves and dress them as women – and whether the US is turning a blind eye to it. Bacha bazi is not seen as homosexuality in Afghanistan, where gender segregation is widespread.

“Afghan officials remain complicit, especially in the sexual exploitation and recruitment of children by Afghan security forces,” the office of the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction said in its quarterly report to congress.

It said that the Afghan government failed to identify or help victims, and in some cases arrested and prosecuted victims of trafficking as criminals.

“Victim-protection efforts remained inadequate, as all but one government-run shelter for trafficking victims remained closed during the reporting period,” the watchdog said.

Under US legislation called the Leahy Laws, the Pentagon and the state department cannot help a unit of a foreign nation’s security forces if there is credible information that the unit has violated human rights.

US-led Nato forces train and provide equipment and other help for Afghan security forces.