Open Society Foundations Statement on the Disclosure of Documents by Wikileaks

The Open Society Foundations have not taken a position on the disclosure of documents by Wikileaks. We address only one issue raised by the disclosures because it directly affects one of our main concerns in Afghanistan where we have established a foundation to promote a transition to a more open society. One of the programs we have undertaken in Afghanistan involves an effort to reduce the civilian casualties resulting from the conflict. We are concerned with civilian casualties caused by NATO and other pro-government forces and civilian casualties caused by Taliban and other opposition forces. Accordingly, we oppose any and all disclosures about identifiable civilians that would put them at risk because of their opinions, their sympathies or their associations. We believe it is incumbent on anyone who proposes to disclose documents publicly to ensure that no such information is released.