The UK-based international aid agency also criticised the way aid was
distributed in Afghanistan, saying that too much was provided in ways
that were ineffective or inefficient.

The report, prepared for a UK parliamentary committee,
concluded that too much aid was absorbed by profits for companies or
subcontractors, or spent on high salaries and living expenses for
expatriate staff.

Speaking to the BBC in Kabul at the end of a six-day visit, the UN high
commissioner said their was no justification for the level of civilian
casualties in Afghanistan.

But while she criticised insurgents for using suicide bombings and
human shields, Ms Arbour said public opinion was clear – there was a
higher expectation of international forces to do everything possible to
avoid killing or injuring civilians.

Mrs Arbour said commanders of the Nato-led
International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) recognised the
significance of the issue and the need to change tactics.

But she said that even if numbers diminished, it was
likely civilian casualties would still occur. She also stressed that
Isaf the need to give adequate compensation to the victims and their
families.

“In law, all sides are held to the same international standards,” she said.

“In public opinion… there’s an expectation, in a sense higher
expectations on behalf of international forces. That being said, the
legal standard is exactly the same.”

Ms Arbour also said she would support starting peace talks with insurgent groups such as the Taleban.

“Having gained on their security, [people] would crave the freedom that
I think, since 2001, has started in little bits to flourish in the
democratic system here,” she said.

“Now, if all anti-government forces could be brought into the fold of
the democratic process, that’s the ultimate good-case scenario.”

The UN high commissioner later raised concerns about whether Isaf was turning detainees over to torture in Afghan custody.

“I think it’s really critical that this issue be looked at, and Isaf
collectively, the Nato command, should also take ownership of that
issue,” she said.

“So far it’s been left to the various troop-contributing governments to deal with the issue as they saw fit,” she added.

“Their international obligations of non-refoulement mean that anybody
they take into detention, they have a responsibility not to turn over
if there is a risk of torture, and I think the documentation now shows
there is a considerable risk.”