Afghan Update No. 7 January 2005 • Elections • Presidential Inauguration • Election Workers Freed • Progress in Reconstruction and Development • Afghanistan Opium Survey 2004 • A Look at Human Rights in Afghanistan • Record Number of Soldiers Disarm • Afghans Challenge the Perceptions of Disability • Women’s Affairs/Microcredit/ • Salang Re-opens/New vaccination centre • Charts, Graphs and Maps Supported by the United Nations and its Partners in the Implementation of the Bonn Agreement
Transcript
Afghan Update No. 7 January 2005
• Elections
• Presidential Inauguration
• Election Workers Freed
• Progress in Reconstruction and Development
• Afghanistan Opium Survey 2004
• A Look at Human Rights in Afghanistan
• Record Number of Soldiers Disarm
• Afghans Challenge the Perceptions of Disability
• Women’s Affairs/Microcredit/
• Salang Re-opens/New vaccination centre
• Charts, Graphs and Maps
Afghan Update – January 2005 1 Supported by the United Nations and its Partners in the Implementation of the Bonn Agreement
UN Offices in Afghanistan
Contents Presidential elections a “milestone”
Karzai first democratically elected president
Afghanistan: World’s largest opium producer
Reconstruction and development
Human rights in Afghanistan
UN hostages thank supporters
Record number of soldiers disarm
Afghans challenge perceptions of disability
New building for Women’s Affairs
Microcredit: Success for small businesses
Salang re-opens
New vaccination centre
Charts, Maps & Graphs
Elections: Voter Turnout and Final Results
Elections: Voter Turnout by Gender
DDR - Soldiers Disarmed 2003-2004
DDR - Reintegration Options
2004 Afghanistan Opium Survey Findings
Map of Poppy Cultivation Levels 2002-2004
Security Incidents 2004
3
5
6
7
8
10
11
11
12
13
13
13
14
15
16
16
17
18
19
FAOUN-Habitat ILO IOM UNAMA UNDP UNEP UNESCO UNFPA UNHCR UNICEF UNIFEM UNMACA UNODC UNOPS WFP WHO
Sar Asayab +39 083 124 6460 Saha-e-Paroja Manzele Sofi Qudos Chahar Rahi Ameriat +39 083 124 6657 Arzaq Street, near ICRC office Kabul-Jalalabad Main Road +39 083 124 6500 Haji Musa Jan House near Hindo Chowk, Share-I-Naw +39 083 124 6400 Street #13, Wazir Akbar Khan UNAMA Compound C +39 083 124 5000/6000 Chai Ferushi Street +39 083 124 6400 Silo Road, opposite stadium +39 083 124 6900 Shari Jadid +39 083 124 3036 On Park in Maimana City +87 376 221 1950
Afghan Update is a publication of the Office of Communication and Public Information (OCPI), UNAMA Contact: UNAMA +93 (0) 20 210 2300 / 2301
/ 2302 / 2303 / 2304 (OCPI: ext. 6186)
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.unama-afg.org Address: Peace Street, Kabul
UNAMA Liaison Office Islamabad 11th Floor, 61 – A Jinnah Ave. Saudi Pak Tower, Blue Area +39 083 124 7380 Tehran United Nations Building 185 Ghaerm Magham Farihani Ave. +98 218 732 8125 2 Afghan Update – January 2005
UNAMA is mandated to promote national reconstruction; to fulfill the tasks and responsibilities entrusted to the United Nations in the Bonn Agreement, including those related to human rights, the rule of law, and gender issues; and to manage all UN humanitarian, relief, recovery, and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan in coordination with the Afghan administration. UNAMA was established in an effort to integrate all UN activities in the country. There are some 16 UN agencies in Afghanistan working together with their government counterparts and with national and international NGO partners. All UN programmes lend support to the Afghanistan transition process and recognize the lead role played by the Afghan administration.
Presidential elections a ‘milestone’ for Afghanistan More than 8 million Afghans came together October 9th to vote in the county’s first Presidential election. Hamid Karzai won the election with 55.4% of the vote.
Over 3.2 million women voted in the election, 40 percent of all voters.
Turnout was high throughout the country, where 70% of registered voters cast a ballot, a proportion higher than in most countries. A total of 8,128,940 ballots were cast; 40 percent of voters were women. In Daikondi and Faryab provinces, women accounted for over 50 percent of voters. Countrywide, there were 22,000 polling stations in over 4000 centres covering all of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. The elections were followed by some 5,321 domestic and 121 international observers and monitors, 24,000 party agents and 52,000 representatives of candidates, as well as national and international media. Outside the country, Afghan refugees also voted. Moqadasa Sidiqi, a 19 year-old student was the first person to vote in Islamabad. Her family left Kabul in 1992 amid civil war and was one of the 577,000 Afghan refuges in Pakistan who voted. “I am really happy, I cannot explain my feelings, just how happy I am,” exclaimed Sidiqi. “It is my homeland and I should be there, the time for guns has passed.” More than 1,600 polling stations were set up in refugee camps and urban centers in Pakistan to accommodate the vote. A similar process took place in Iran, where 240,000 Afghan refugees voted in the presidential election and the turnout was high. In Iran, voters cast their ballots at 1,200 polling stations in 150 locations. In total over 850,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran participated in the vote, making the October 9th election the largest out-of-country election ever to take place. For figures related to the Presidential election please see section on charts and maps. Peaceful day Security was tight on election day as 100,000 soldiers, troops and other security forces were deployed to ensure a safe voting day. Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police were particularly effective in maintaining security on election day; and in coordination with Coalition and ISAF
forces seized 15 improvised explosive devices just before or on election day. Threats by the Taliban to disrupt elections did little to stop voters from coming to the polls in large numbers. Many voters waited for hours outside polling stations at schools, mosques, hospitals and other locations for the opportunity to cast their vote, some lined up as early as 7 a.m., two hours before polls opened at 9 a.m. In Mazar-e Sharif, queues for voting stretched up to 200 people long. In Bamyan voters braved snow and cold weather to vote. Despite heavy rains in Nuristan, people still went to the polls and stations remained open longer to accommodate the long lines. A number of polling stations in Kabul also stayed open late, providing voters an opportunity to exercise their choice. Strong winds in Jalalabad, which affected some polling stations housed in tents and heavy snow in Baghlan also did little to hamper enthusiasm as both areas experienced high voter turnout. Voters expressed optimism that the vote would begin a new chapter for the country. “We are fed up with the war that has destroyed Afghanistan and claimed more than 2 million lives. Today I am happy that I am deciding about my own president. In the past rulers were
imposed on us,” said Mohammed Gul, a shopkeeper who voted just outside Kabul. This sentiment was echoed by Nuzko Seddiqui who waited several hours to vote near her village. “I am very excited. I am old, but this vote is not just for me, it is for my grandchildren. We all want peace.” Ballots were transported to eight regional counting centres. The boxes were transported by air and road using trucks, helicopters, airplanes as well as horses and donkeys in the country’s most remote areas. Over 140,000 people, mostly Afghan, worked on election day. Election Day concerns Although the vote was peaceful, there were some difficulties as candidates raised complaints about the process. One of their concerns was that the ink being used to mark voter’s thumbs and prevent them from casting multiple ballots was not strong enough and could be wiped off. They asked that voters boycott the polls and a new vote rescheduled. The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB), the organization responsible for the running and monitoring of the Presidential election, said the problem was limited to a few polling stations where workers mistakenly used the ink that should have been used on ballots to instead mark
Afghan Update – January 2005 3
people’s thumbs, and that voting would continue.
voters was properly reflected, and to help shape improvements for future elections. But they could not have materially affected the overall result.”
Voter's hand is marked prior to voting on Election Day
Other candidate concerns included the intimidation of voters at polling stations, bias among election workers towards one candidate or another and multiple voting.
In response to the candidate’s complaints, JEMB requested UNAMA nominate an impartial panel of international observers to investigate complaints arising from election day. Impartial panel reports After completing a thorough investigation, the impartial panel presented its final report to JEMB and the Afghan public on November 2. They outlined a number of concerns and recommendations, amongst them the need for enhanced communications and coordination among the electoral management bodies, increased need for training of all election staff and the drastic improvement of the system for receiving and addressing complaints from candidates and voters. The panel did not find widespread evidence of intimidation at polling stations or significant bias among elections and polling staff. Despite concerns over the inking process the panel noted that multiple voting was not a large problem on election day and could have been avoided with improved training measures for electoral staff. In a summary statement the panel concluded that, “this election was a commendable election, particularly given the very challenging circumstances. There were shortcomings, many of which were raised by the candidates themselves. These problems deserved to be considered, to ensure the will of the
The panel stated that their recommendations should be implemented in time for parliamentary
elections. Shortly after the final report was released by the panel, JEMB certified the results of the October 9th election. Hamid Karzai was declared the winner and elected President with 55.4% of the vote - 4,443,029 votes. He was followed by Yonous Qanooni, with 16.3% (1,306,503 votes), Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, with 11.6% (935,325 votes) and Abdul Rahid Dostrum with 10% of the vote (804,861 votes). Massooda Jalal the only women amongst the 18 candidates in the campaign received 91,425 votes, 1.1% of votes. The remaining 13 candidates received less than two percent of the vote. World’s view Observers heralded the peaceful and credible electoral process. The Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA), the largest observer group with 2,300 personnel around the country, stated: “A fairly democratic environment has generally been observed in the overall majority of the polling centers.” The Foundation went on to congratulate Afghans for a peaceful voting process and concluded that the large participation of Afghans was an encouraging sign of the people’s participation in the democratic process. Despite the optimism, FEFA did observe some problems on election day, specifically they found a low level of awareness of election procedures among some elections staff, polling stations opening late and shortages and
delays in receiving ballot papers at some polling stations. Ambassador Robert Barry, head of the election support team to Afghanistan from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), remarked, “we were deeply impressed
by the fact that millions of Afghan men and women turned out in Iran and Pakistan as well as Afghanistan, waited patiently in line, often in snow, rain and dust, in the fact of threats to their lives, and cast their votes with enthusiasm.”
Marie Frechon/UNDP
The OCSE which sent election support teams to all regions of the country issued a report one week after the vote that concluded, “the election was a remarkable accomplishment given the security and infrastructure problems…the pivotal factor in making this Presidential election a success was the commendable degree of Afghan ownership and commitment to the process; strong voter participation, notably among women; and solid international support particularly in providing security on election day.” That view was echoed by many governments throughout the world. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder praised the election, “the peaceful completion and high voter turnout in the presidential election are grounds for optimism…[Afghanistan is on] a surely long path to democracy.” Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukaut Aziz commended the election, saying it would lead to “an even better era for Afghanistan. While Canada’s Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew, encouraged by the strong turnout and lack of violence said, “this election represents an important milestone in the country’s democratic transition and an impressive
4 Afghan Update – January 2005
achievement of the Afghan people.” supporters for the important role they played in the democratic process and congratulated the people and Government of Afghanistan for having conducted a successful and credible election under difficult circumstances.
He further stated that he was gratified that the United Nations, especially the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), “played a significant role in the conduct of a peaceful and credible electoral result.”
Soon after official results were announced by the JEMB, Secretary-General Kofi Annan paid tribute to all the Presidential candidates and their
Karzai first democratically elected President
“Three years ago, the firm and productive cooperation of the international community rid Afghanistan from the rule of terrorism. The same cooperation has led to the rebuilding of the Afghan state and significant progress in restoring peace, stability and security to our country. As a result, we have now left a hard and dark past behind us and today we are opening a new chapter in our history,” stated Hamid Karzai after being sworn into the country’s highest office on December 7, 2004.
Abdul Hanan Faizi/SOP
Mr. Karzai had been Afghanistan’s interim leader since 2001, and now has a five-year mandate to lead the country after having won the popular vote in the October 9th election. The ceremony, broadcast live throughout the country on television and radio, took place at the restored former royal palace, the Salaam Khana. Chief Justice Fazl Hai Shinwari swears in the President Mr. Karzai recited an oath of allegiance administered to him by Chief Justice Fazl Hadi Shinwari.
“Our principle promises are concerning the strengthening of the security sector and ensuring lasting stability throughout the country; the elimination of poppy cultivation and the fight against processing and trafficking of drugs; the disarmament and demobilization of former combatants.”
"I swear to obey and safeguard the provisions of the sacred religion of Islam, to observe the constitution and other laws of Afghanistan and supervise their implementation, and with the assistance of God and the support of the nation, to make great and sincere efforts for the happiness and progress of the people of Afghanistan."
The President added that the eradication of poverty; the effective establishment of the rule of law, and the protection of civil liberties and human rights were also to be priorities for his administration. Mr. Karzai noted that the country still faced serious challenges, specifically terrorism and narcotics called for continued international cooperation. "Our fight against terrorism is not yet over. The relationship between terrorism and narcotics and the continued threat of extremists in the region and the world at large are a source of continued concern. A decisive victory over terrorism requires serious and continuous cooperation at regional and international levels,'' stated Karzai.
Mr. Karzai than administered a similar oath for his two new vice-presidents Ahmed Zia Massoud and Karim Khalili. New Cabinet
President Karzai held his first cabinet meeting on December 27 in Kabul. The meeting comes days after the President’s office officially announced the cabinet, which will consist of 27 ministers. “Security and prosperity are the basis of our work.” Karzai said in outlining the tasks of his new cabinet. “We have a big responsibility on our shoulders and we must fulfill the promises we have made to our people.” Karzai said the ministers would be dispatched throughout the country to give an opportunity for them to meet the Afghan people.
Inauguration address In his inauguration speech Mr. Karzai speaking in both Pashto and Dari, outlined several major themes that he would pursue over the next five years.
Afghan Update – January 2005 5
Afghanistan world’s largest opium poppy producer Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan increased by 64 per cent when compared to 2003, according to a new survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Counter Narcotics Directorate (CND). The report the “Afghanistan Opium Survey 2004,” reveals that poppy cultivation has spread to all 34 provinces in Afghanistan, making narcotics the single greatest source of economic growth and income in the country. Despite the increased total cultivation from 80,000 hectares in 2003 to 131,000 hectares in 2004, the survey shows that poor weather, inexperienced farmers growing poppy for the first time and crop disease had decreased the amount of opium produced per hectare farmed (opium yield per hectare) and as a result farmers had to cultivate more land in order to match income levels from 2003. Although yield rates may have decreased, Afghanistan remains the world’s largest producer of opium, responsible for approximately 87% of global supply. According to UNODC, the number of families involved in poppy cultivation was estimated at 356,000 in 2004, a 35% increase from 2003. The survey values the Afghan opium economy at US $2.8 billion, equivalent to about 60% of the country’s GDP in 2003. However, according to Doris Buddenberg, UNODC Country Director in Afghanistan, this income is unevenly distributed with traffickers, traders and smugglers
benefiting the most. Of this $US 2.8 billion, farmers receive only $US 600 million, while those involved in the transportation and trade of the poppy crop receive $US 2.2 billion. Ms. Buddenberg says the main reasons farmers turn to opium cultivation is that poppy is more profitable when compared to other
agricultural crops, it is easy to grow, has a greater resistance to poor weather and there is little legal risk in growing poppy because of poor law enforcement in the provinces. The serious downside to a poppy based economy in Afghanistan according to Ms Buddenberg is that such production destabilizes the development of a legal economy, increases the potential for drug abuse, and weakens the rule of law.
“The poppy drug economy undermines government institutions at the local, provincial and national level, because of the enormous funds available to private smugglers and the amount of control that allows [over communities] and undermines good governance.” The UNODC identified four major counter-narcotics goals that the Afghan government should pursue in 2005: the prosecution of major drug traffickers, a significant eradication campaign, action
against official corruption and a reinforced counter narcotics
structure. President Hamid Karzai in his inauguration remarks acknowledged the negative effect poppy production has on the country and stated that the strengthening of the security sector and ensuring lasting stability throughout the country was dependent on the
“elimination of poppy cultivation and the fight against processing
and trafficking of drugs.”
The effective approach to tackling the problem of poppy cultivation according to Ms. Buddenberg is to have an overall anti-narcotics strategy, one that emphasizes not only increased law enforcement, but large scale rural development programmes; initiatives that reach farmers in remote areas and provide alternative livelihoods and new economic opportunities. For Findings from the Afghanistan Opium Survey 2004 please see section on charts and maps.
Sport as an alternative to drug abuse About 600 Afghan youth gathered on Monday December 28th at Kabul Polytechnic University for a basketball tournament organized by the Afghan National Basketball Federation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event the first of its kind, is aimed at providing urban youth with alternatives to taking drugs such as sport. “It has been a very long time since organized basketball has been played in this country. Basketball gives an opportunity for youth to come together, to devote their time and hard work to sports and learn lessons about teamwork. These are skills that will benefit them [youth] in the future,” said Nazir Shah Wardak, head of the ANBF. Mr. Wardak was a former basketball player on the Afghan national team in the 1970’s and hoped the event would spark a revival for basketball in Afghanistan. He is looking towards forming a national Afghan team selected from players at the tournament. UNODC and ANBF are planning a similar tournament for girls in April.
6 Afghan Update – January 2005
UN report by Secretary-General charts progress in reconstructionOn November 26, 2004, Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a report on the “Situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security.” The report provides an overview of the progress made in the last year and the current challenges facing Afghanistan as the country rebuilds.
In collaboration with the Afghan Government the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is developing various projects to build roads, bridges and irrigation works throughout the country.
The following are summarized excerpts in the area of reconstruction and development humanitarian assistance from the report. Emergency response and development issues 2004 marks the sixth year of below-average rainfall and snowfall in Afghanistan, worsening the significant water shortage in the country. Four million people have been identified as vulnerable, spread among 27 provinces. Especially vulnerable provinces include Ghor, Nimroz, Uruzgan, Paktika, Ghazni, Daikundi, Kandahar and Helmand. As a result of this limited water supply, crop yields dropped compared to 2003, the cost of grain rose and many areas have become vulnerable to drought.
The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development is leading a drought-response process, with support from UNAMA. In particular, a funding appeal was issued requesting $71 million from international donors covering the six-month period between September 2004 and February 2005. The response by donors to the request has been positive, and programmes are being put in place to provide emergency relief to those most affected by the drought conditions. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is assisting vulnerable farmers by improving food security and nutrition,
building the knowledge and capacity of farmers to better use their land and promoting the long-term management of natural resources. Healthcare In response to a strategy outlined by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and other United Nations agencies and the international community is supporting the government in rebuilding the primary health-care system. The overall strategy in 2004 focused on prevention, establishing an effective primary health care system, and building partnerships with NGOs and the private sector to deliver health care services. There has been a particular focus on the health needs of women and children. Specific vaccination programmes to combat polio and tetanus have been introduced. Tuberculosis Tuberculosis remains a serious public health problem in Afghanistan. The government with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) established162 health facilities in 141 districts across the country representing
54 per cent of the population. The treatment success rate in 2002 was 86 per cent. Currently there are enough anti-tuberculosis medicines in place treat 25,000 tuberculosis patients. Malaria WHO is assisting the Ministry of Health and local health authorities to combat malaria in 14 provinces where the disease is widespread. Through this project, 600,000 individuals are receiving full treatment for malaria every year. In addition 750,000 individuals are protected from malaria by sleeping under special nets provided under the project.
Education
UNICEF
Girls’ school in Herat
The Ministry of Education and UNICEF distributed teaching and learning materials to 4.2 million schoolchildren and 74,466 teachers in 2004. Effort is being made to ensure that teachers receive salaries on time and increasing the attendance of girls in school.
UNOPSUNOPS
The total enrolment rate for Afghan children between 7 and 13 years of age has increased to 54 per cent (67 per cent for boys and 37 per cent for girls). A number of factors such as distance to schools, poor facilities and lack of separate schooling for boys and girls continue to be challenges to higher enrollment. To increase enrollment, UNICEF is supporting the establishment of community-based schools, especially for girls in villages where no formal schools are accessible. The first phase of this project is to establish 1,500 community schools for 75,000 girls and boys in
Afghan Update – January 2005 7
those areas where girls’ participation in school is low. So far under this programme, 936 classes catering for 47,271 children (25,143 girls and 22,128 boys) have been established in Kabul, Ghazni, Parwan, Herat, Farah and Badghis provinces. Refugees Between January and October 2004, 740,000 individuals returned to Afghanistan under a programmes supported by the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Of these, 370,000 came from Pakistan, 360,000 from Iran and 10,000 from other countries. Since 2002, over 3 million people have returned voluntarily to Afghanistan. The largest number of the returnees (43 per cent) went to the central region of Afghanistan, followed by those returning
to the northern region (22 per cent) and the eastern region (20 per cent). A high number of returnees do not have land (70 per cent), or not have a house or shelter to return to (27 per cent). A housing programme developed by UNHCR provides for the construction of rural houses for the most vulnerable groups returning to Afghanistan. An average of 15 to 20 per cent of returnees have benefited from this activity. Between 2002 and the end of 2004, UNHCR will have built some 120,000 houses, mostly in areas receiving large numbers of returnees. Lack of employment and slow progress in reconstruction in rural areas is a difficult challenge for returning Afghans in reestablishing their lives. An increasing number of returnees are moving to urban areas, which is placing an additional burden on the infrastructure
of major cities and highlights the need for the development of a social housing in urban areas. Reports indicate that returnees did not face significant discrimination in terms of access to basic social services like health and education, however, they experience occupation or confiscation of their land and related abuses such as extortion and illegal taxation. In 2005, UNHCR will work closely with the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission on human rights monitoring and safeguarding the rights of returnees. Mine action The United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan is currently in the process of transferring responsibility for mine action activities in Afghanistan from the United Nations to an Afghan national mine-action coordination agency. The current Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan has approximately 8,000 Afghan personnel, 700 demobilized soldiers and 22 international staff. Several NGOs are working as part of the Mine Action Programme in Afghanistan. The goal of the programme is to remove the impact of mines from all high-impact areas by 2007 and to make Afghanistan mine-free by 2012. Since January 2003, 33 square kilometres of minefields and 69 square kilometres of battlefields have been cleared, and a total of 2,354,244 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance (shells and bombs) have been destroyed. More than 650,000 returnees have received mine-risk education in and 53,000 primary schoolteachers have been trained and provided with materials to teach children about the dangers of mines. The number of mine victims has been reduced from approximately 150 a month in 2002 to less than 100 a month in 2004.
UNHCRAfghan refugees in Pakistan: Between January and October 2004, 740,000 refugees have returned to Afghanistan
Afghanistan marks Human Rights Day
Filipo Grandi the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, speaking on the occasion of Human Rights Day, which is celebrated worldwide on December 10 stated that Afghanistan had past through some very difficult times in its recent history. “Twenty-five years of war have produced a list of all possible violations
of Human Rights in Afghanistan” among which he cited, “extortion, intimidation, illegal detention, torture, trafficking of children, abuse against women and deprivation of economical and social rights.” Mr. Grandi who was attending the unveiling of a human rights monument at the University of Education in Kabul also noted that the situation in Afghanistan
had much improved in the last two years, commending the work of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), a body established in 2002 as result of the Bonn agreement. The monument of carved stone and marble celebrates human rights with inscriptions in six languages, widely spoken in Afghanistan, symbolizing the unity and diversity of the country. The
8 Afghan Update – January 2005
carving lays out eight fundamental human rights, including the right to equality and non-discrimination, the right to education and the right to justice. The monument faces three different directions to include all parts of the country and is topped with a bulb, which symbolizes human creativity and wisdom. In addition to the event at the University of Education, Human Rights Day was celebrated across the country during a one-week period. In Nangahar, the AIHRC and UNAMA held a discussion with provincial authorities and female participants on the role of the media in promoting and protecting human rights. The discussion was covered on local TV and broadcast throughout the province.
Radha Day/UNAMA
Children participating in Human Rights Day in Herat In Kandahar, local elders, ulema, women’s groups, the national police and the UN came together to discuss pressing human rights issues. Local prison conditions, illegal land occupation, judicial access and legal reform were issues that were raised and discussed at the meeting. Participants
also came from neighboring Helmand province to join in the discussions. Also, in Kandahar, the Mayor of the city, representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and AIHRC visited females and juvenile inmates to assess prison conditions.
Afghan Update – January 2005 9
Human Rights Day was also celebrated in Bamyan and in Faizabad in Badakshan, where provincial government officials, village representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and UN agencies came together to mark the event. In Gardez, AIHRC and UNAMA held a training session and lessons on human rights for children at an orphanage. Celebrations in Herat were particularly festive as the Department of Education and UNAMA planned several activities for children. A group of about 120 boys and girls, aged 9 to 12, participated in games and a drawing competition with human rights themes. In Kabul, UNAMA’s Human Rights Unit in conjunction with the Mission’s Office of Communication and Public Information (OCPI) organized a workshop called “Media and Human Rights Reporting in Afghanistan.” Over 20 editors-in-chief from Afghan media in TV, radio and print participated actively in discussions following presentations and working groups. Similar media workshops took place in Jalalabad and Kunduz. The state of human rights Richard Bennett, Chief Technical Advisor on Human Rights with UNAMA, held a press briefing on December 12th in Kabul. He stated that although there has been progress in respecting and upholding human rights, violations continue to occur, largely because government institutions are not yet strong enough to protect human rights effectively throughout the country.
Progress on human rights and the road ahead Nader Nadery a Commissioner with the AIHRC and Richard Bennett, Chief Technical Advisor on Human Rights with UNAMA, outline some of the achievements in civil liberties and human rights that have taken place since 2001 and the ongoing challenges in Afghanistan.
Achievements in human rights in Afghanistan • Establishment of AIHRC in 2002 and its formal recognition in the
Afghan constitution. The commission now has ten offices including ones recently opened in Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan and have over 300 staff.
• The recognition of fundamental human rights in the Afghan Constitution and the Governments’ commitment to upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Gradual improvements and greater awareness of women’s rights in Afghan society. The new parliament will have 25% of seats reserved for women. Great increases in the number of girls attending primary school.
• Presidential election marked by little violence and high voter turnout. • Greater awareness of human rights among the public and increased
vigilance among the media to identify human right abuses. Enactment of Press Law by the Afghan Government that protects the freedom of expression.
• Improved conditions in some jails and the closing of 46 private detention centres. The release of 1,500 prisoners held on charges little eviden
with ce.
n rights.
Continuing challenges • Ongoing violations of human rights by private militias (non-state) and
criminal organizations. • Few safeguards in place to protect the rights of those accused of
crimes. • Continued restrictions on the rights of women, including the denial of
education, widespread discrimination and restrictions on movement and personal choice.
• The pressing issue of how to deal with past human rights violations during years of past conflict in Afghanistan.
• The need to sensitize, provide education and training to police, judiciary and army on human rights and the legal rights of citizens.
• Socio-economic challenges, including high infant mortality rates, lack of health and educational resources, unresolved land tensions all influence huma
“Human rights depends upon the rule of law and, despite progress by the Afghan Government, in quite a number of places the law is not followed and there are still a few actors who continue to behave as if they are above it. After decades of armed conflict when the power of the gun has dominated, it will take quite a long time to rebuild Afghan society based on respect for human rights,” said Mr. Bennett.” He added that the role of the UN is to help Afghanistan build strong, clean and effective institutions that administer laws consistent with the Afghan constitution and international human rights standards. On December 7th, three days before Human Rights Day, President Karzai in his inauguration address to the country committed his government to upholding human rights in Afghanistan. "Our principle promises…are the eradication of poverty; the rule of law, and the protection of civil liberties and human rights,'' said Mr. Karzai, and pledged that his administration would advance human rights protections for all citizens. Education plan The AIHRC along with UNAMA announced its commitment over the next year to work with the Ministry of Education to provide human rights education in schools. For example, UNAMA is exploring the possibility of translating “ABC: Teaching Human Rights – Practical Activities for Primary and Secondary Schools.” This teaching tool was launched by the UN on International Human Rights Day to mark this years’ celebration theme “human rights education.” The goal is to integrate human rights education in primary and secondary school lesson plans over the next three years. Former UN hostages thank Afghans for their support
After 27 days in captivity, November 23, 2004 marked a joyous day for Annetta Flanigan, Shqipe Hebibi, Angelito Nayan, their families, UN colleagues and large numbers of Afghan supporters. The three had been working with the Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB), helping with the country’s historic Presidential elections, when they were taken from their UN car at gun-point on October 28 in Kabul. “During our many months of work here in Afghanistan we have learned to love Afghanistan, its people, its culture and traditions. The awful experience we went through does not change our feelings for the Afghan people and the solidarity they have shown us during the 27 days of our captivity just strengthens our commitment to support Afghanistan in its transition to peace and democracy,” said Annetta Flanigan reading a joint statement on behalf of the three shortly after an emotional reunion with their JEMB colleagues. Flanigan went on to add that they were humbled and very, very grateful for all the support and solidarity they received from the Afghan public during this difficult period. Throughout the ordeal many Afghan groups and individuals expressed their support and asked those holding the three UN workers for their safe and immediate release.
Afghan newspapers and media said the abductions undermined Afghan culture and did not conform to Islam’s cherished principles. The Council of Ulemas in a well publicized statement calling for their release, stated that such actions were against shar’ia law and violated basic principles of the faith. In the days following their release they met with President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace. They thanked Karzai for the strong efforts and dedication of the Afghan authorities and their international partners in securing their release. “We are very glad that by the grace of God our two sisters and a brother were released safe and sound,” said Karzai and added, “Afghan people took a strong and clear position and ensured that the values of hospitality and decency triumphed over violence and criminality.”
OCPI/UNAMA
Annetta Flanigan, Aneglito Nayan and Shqipe Hebibi shortly after their release
Before leaving for home Annetta Flanigan and Shiqipe Hebibi met with some of the women who offered to take their place as hostages and thanked them for their selfless gesture. They along with Angelito Naran, were awarded the Sayed Jamauddin Afghan medal by the President. The medal is the second highest honour that can be awarded by the Afghan state and was presented to them in a private ceremony by the Father of the Nation, Mohammad Zaher Shah.
10 Afghan Update – January 2005
Record number of soldiers disarm
The last four months of 2004 saw dramatic and increased activity by Afghanistan’s New Beginnings Programme (ANBP) in its efforts to disarm members of the Afghan Military Forces (AMF) and reintegrate them into civilian life.
Afghan Update – January 2005 11
Shaheen Hassan, who lost his eyesight at age twelve, demonstrates how to use a newcomputer for the blind
At the end of of August, following eleven months of work, some 14,000 members of the AMF had been disarmed. From September to December 2004, a further 16,000 military personnel were disarmed, bringing the total to 30,000. This increase in activity over a short four month period comes largely as a result of a Presidential Decree issued September 7, 2004. The decree states that all stages of weapons collections should be completed by June 2005. In accordance with the decree, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will automatically decommission those military units that fail to comply with the disarmament programme and soldiers in those units will no longer receive salaries from the MOD and may lose access to training and reintegration benefits from ANBP.
ANBP
Former soldiers handing in arms
Of those soldiers disarmed, 27,100 have entered reintegration programmes. Reintegration options include teacher training, agriculture, vocational training, de-mining, small business or re-joining the Afghan National Army or Afghan National Police if they qualify. In a related development, ANBP announced in late December 2004, that a total of 7,511 working or repairable heavy weapons had been collected across the country. For further information on ANBP’s progress please see section on charts and maps
Afghans challenge the perceptions of disability
Shaheen Hassan is a teacher of English and Religion at a Kabul high school for the blind. He lost his sight to glaucoma when he was twelve. Hassan believes his students should have the same opportunities as sighted students, and has been using special computers in his class to teach his blind students to use
new computers that allow them to read and type on the computer using Braille. Six of these computers were recently donated to the school by the Italian Cooperation. “A blind person can work and move and live by these computers. My students
are intelligent, and they are interested to continue their learning and have more information. When we can give them possibilities like this, all our lives can be better,” says Hassan. According to Afghan government and UN sources, between 800,000 and 2 million Afghans are living with disability. Twenty-five percent of the disabilities are related to war; others due to poor maternal health and childhood disease. A new study commissioned by UNICEF on public perceptions of people with disabilities showed that they routinely face segregation from society in the form of verbal and physical abuse, lack of access to education and healthcare and barriers to employment and discrimination. Parween Azimi, National Advisor for Special Education with the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled wishes to dispel these perceptions. Her message is not about disability, but about ability - the ability of Afghans who have physical limitations to make productive contributions to society. Speaking to the media at a UNAMA press briefing on the occasion of the International Day of Disability, Azimi stated: “We are here to address the perceptions that Afghans have towards people who live with disabilities – we wish to challenge these
Sarah Hegland/UNDP
perceptions. Rather than disapproving of the disabled person on the street, we should stop to think about how the life and reality of this person may be assisted, and how this person may be accepted. We need to work together in order to gain acceptance, so that we begin to recognize our similar needs and abilities, and not our differences.” The International Day of Disability established by the United Nations in 1982 was celebrated nationally for the first time in Afghanistan on December 2, 2004. Events took place throughout the county and included speeches, theatre and games in Herat, Mazar, Ghazni, Khost and Taloquan. In Jalalabad a cycle race was organized. In Kabul hundreds of disabled Afghans came via wheelchairs, crutches, sight
guides and canes to the Intercontinental Hotel ballroom to celebrate the Day with drama, song, speeches and poetry. The event was organized by the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled, UNDP and UNICEF. “Today we stand up for the dignity of persons with disabilities, we stand up for their rights to live as equal citizens, and we stand up to champion all that they have to offer to a better Afghanistan,” said Minister Abdullah Wardak. Mr. Wardak was succeeded by Sediqa Balkhi as the Minister of Martyrs and Disabled when the new cabinet was announced. The Ministry recently adopted a comprehensive strategy to address disability needs in the country. A budget of US$ 9.4 million spread over three years will be dedicated to providing services for disabled people, such as
physical education or vocational training and technical assistance to other institutions that deal with disabled needs such as the Ministry of Labour and Education. The strategy was designed in coordination with the UNDP’s Comprehensive Disabled Afghans Programme. Sarah Dyer, Project Manager for the programme, emphasized that the goal of the disabled movement in Afghanistan is not to create special programmes and exceptions for disabled people, but to give them access to the very same services that the rest of the population enjoys: “We all gain tremendously—economically, socially, politically and culturally—from the integration of disabled persons into society. That so many people turned out to mark this day is another step toward a stronger society.”
New building for Women’s Affairs Habiba Sorabi, Minister of Women’s Affairs joined UNDP Country Director Ercan Murat in officially opening the Ministry’s new Training and Advocacy building in Kabul. The new four-story building built with support from UNDP and the French government will include an audio-visual resource room, a computer centre, a library and training rooms. The building will be used as a training and seminar facility by the Gender Training Institute and is part of a larger UNDP programme in support of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. The Ministry is currently carrying out an extensive programme of gender training with eleven Afghan Government ministries and civil society representatives, in ten provinces countrywide. In 2003, the programme trained over 300 people in gender awareness.
OCPI/UNAMA
Habiba Sorabi, Minister of Women’s Affairs and UNDP Country Director Ercan Murat at theopening ceremony – 7 December 2004, Kabul
The inauguration was also attended by Said Ahmad Mobareez, Deputy Minister of Ministry for Pilgrimage and Religious Affairs. Mr. Mobareez thanked the Ministry of Women’s Affairs for its hard work in building the capacity of Afghan women and said in remarks at the opening that “during these past three decades Muslim women were kept far from knowledge and culture and were not allowed access to any kind of education. In Islam, knowledge is required for both women and men.” The new building will allow the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to conduct three gender-training workshops for up to 150 people at a time. Dr. Massooda Jalal was recently appointed as the new minister for Women’s Affairs.
12 Afghan Update – January 2005
Afghans have tools for successful small business The owner of a successful tailoring business in Kabul is Shakila – she supports her family and small children by making traditional Afghan dresses in her home. She recently won a US$300 prize for her successful small business by showing strong leadership and business skills. The Global MicroEntrepreneurship Awards, which were awarded November 19, 2004 in a special ceremony in Kabul, marked the beginning of the International Year of Microcredit. The goal of the UN initiative is to provide small amounts of capital to the poorest, to enable them to start their own small businesses. The funds are targeted at individuals who would otherwise have difficulty having access to capital to support their business ideas and ambitions. Shakila participated in a micro-credit programme associated with MISFA – the Microfinance Investment and Support Facility. MISFA was started in 2003 under the direction of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MMRD) in coordination with the World Bank. Since March 2003, the programme has provided 57,000 small loans and hopes to reach 100,000 clients by March 2005. The repayment rate in the programme is amongst the highest in world with 98% of clients fully repaying their loans in six months. People who are interested in the MISFA micro-credit programme can contact their office at +93 79 316 287 or +93 70 284 239.
Salang Tunnel re-opens
The Ministry of Public Works announced in December that the Salang tunnel was re-open to traffic. With the exception of trucks, vehicles are allowed to use the tunnel at all hours, 7 days a week.
For trucks, the tunnel is open in the direction south to north on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays and from north to south on the remaining days of the week. Work is ongoing on the Salang, but major improvements to the tunnel were completed this fall. The Salang, located in the Hindu Kush mountains at an altitude of 11,100 feet (3,400 metres) links the main road between north and south Afghanistan. The tunnel was partially destroyed in 1998 during fighting when its southern entrance and ventilation system collapsed. The tunnel is vital for the transport of goods and humanitarian supplies to northern Afghanistan, reducing travel time from as much as 72 hours to 10 hours from Kabul into the north. Salang: At 11,100 feet, one of the world’s highest tunnels
Storage centre for vaccines opens in Kandahar
School girls singing about the benefits of immunization at the opening of the
he
of te and
he vaccines, that can be stored safely, include those
similar centre will be opened shortly in Jalalabad.
A new vaccine storage facility, that will benefit more than 1 million children under the age of five, was officially opened in Kandahar on January 5, 2005. Tfacility was established by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, and will be able to store two million vials various vaccines. It will meet both the immedialong-term vaccine needs for five provinces – Kandahar, Nimroz, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan. Tagainst diphtheria, tuberculosis, measles and polio. In addition, the centre will also store the vaccine used to vaccinate half a million women of childbearing age against maternal and neo-natal tetanus. A
Afghan Update – January 2005 13
Afghanistan’s first vaccine storage facility was opened in Kabul in March 2004. Kandahar centre
Voter Turnout and Final Results: Presidential Election
Turnout By Province
Total: 8 ters ,128,940 - 70% of Registered Vovince Voters Province Vote
Ahmad Shah Ahmadzai Independent 60,199 0.8% Abdul Satar Serat Independent 30,201 0.4% Hamayon Shah Asifi Independent 26,224 0.3% Ghulam Farooq Nijrabi l-e-Afghanistan Hezb-e-Istiqla 24,232 0.3% Syed Abdul Hadi Dabir Independent 24,057 0.3% Abdul Hafiz Mansoor Independent 19,728 0.2% Abdul Hadi Khalilzai Independent 18,082 0.2% Mir Mohammad Mahfouz Nedaee Independent 16,054 0.2%
Mohammad Ebrahim Independent 14,242 0.2% Rashid Wakil Mangal Independent 11,770 0.1% Abdul Hasseb Aryan Independent 8,373 0.1%
Valid Votes 4,536 0.0% Invalid Votes 104,404 Total Votes ,128,940
8,02 10
8
14 Afghan Update – January 2005
Source: JEMB
Voter Turnout by Gender
40% Female, 60% Male
Out of Country: Iran & Pakistan 30%
Gender data not available for Kabul Province
Afghan Update – January 2005 15
Source: JEMB
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration
Number of Disarmed Soldiers October 2003 to November 2004
Reintegration Options Chosen by Former Soldiers
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
Oct-03
Nov-03
Dec-03
Jan-04
Feb-04
Mar-04
Apr-04
May-04
Jun-04
Jul-04
Aug-04
Sep-04
Oct-04
Nov-04
NumberDisarmed
Source: ANBP
Demining 4.8%
ANA & Police1.6%
Other1.9% Not
Participating 0.4%
Agriculture44.6%
Small Business
13.0%
Vocat aining 33.6%
ional Tr
16 Afghan Update – January 2005
Findings from 2004 Afghanistan Opium Survey
2003 2004
Afghanistan: Opium Poppy cultivation from 1986 to 2004 (hectares)
Percentage increase or decrease between 2003 and
2004 s 00 ,000 (h 64%
Number of people cultivating opium 1.7 million 2.3 million +35% Value of opium crop US $2.3
billion
rs: S $1.3
: US 1 billion
US $2.8
rs: S $2.2
: US 600 million
+22%
0%
Profit for traffickeUbillion Profit for farmers$
billion Profit for traffickeUbillion Profit for farmers$
+41% -4
US $283 US $92 US $3,900 US $1,700
Amount of hectare (land) devoted to poppy cultivation
80,0hectares (ha)
131 a) +
% of world opium production 76% 87% +11%
Price per kilogram (kg) of opium -67% Yearly income for families cultivating opium
-56%
Afghan Update – January 2005 17
Source: UNODC
Opium Poppy Cultivation by Province in 2002, 2003 and 2004
