Amnesty International calls on Petraeus to focus on protecting civilians in Afghanistan

Amnesty calls on Petraeus to protect civilians

LONDON — Human rights group Amnesty International has called on Gen. David Petraeus to redouble the military’s effort to minimize civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Petraeus is due to take over from disgraced Gen. Stanley McChrystal as top NATO commander in the country following confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate.

Amnesty had some qualified praise for McChrystal, whose decision to modify coalition tactics in Afghanistan is credited with helping to reduce civilian casualties.

The London-based rights group said Tuesday that it was alarmed by criticism of the limits McChrystal imposed on his forces and suggestions that Petraeus could loosen them.

Petraeus has promised to “look very hard” at the rules of engagement governing troops in Afghanistan.