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Saturday, 09 March, 2002
Afghanistan
Grapples With Human Rights Abuses
Gary
Thomas
Kabul
9
Mar 2002 15:46 UTC
 
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Afghanistan's interim
leader has called for an investigation of human rights abuses in his
country. The call was echoed by the U.N. Human Rights Commissioner.
But coming to grips with Afghanistan's often violent past is a touchy
question.
Speaking in
Kabul Saturday at a United Nations-sponsored human rights forum, Afghan
interim leader Hamid Karzai said a "truth commission" should
be established to look into past human rights abuses.
Mr. Karzai said
he does not believe his interim government has the authority to
institute such a body. But he urged the government that is to be
chosen by an emergency Loya Jirga, or grand council, in June to do so.
U.N.
Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said Afghanistan cannot
rebuild, until the issue of security is addressed. "It means that
the personal security of every man, woman and child is paramount. It
means a system of government, in which respect for human dignity,
individual human rights, and the rights of minorities are, in practice,
guaranteed. And, yet, you cannot speak of rights, when most Afghans are
still unable to live freely and without fear. So, I welcome the emphasis
on security," Ms. Robinson said.
U.N. Special
Envoy on Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi said a new government must be
formed that is respectful of human rights. "Only a broad-based,
multi-ethnic government, respectful of human rights and guided by the
rule of law, can hope to restore to Afghanistan the stability, the
prosperity, and the hope that the people of this country have so long
been denied," Mr. Brahimi said.
But, Mr.
Brahimi added, it is for Afghans themselves to work out their human
rights framework. "In the end, of course, it is not the grand
rhetoric of written accords, speeches, and solemn declarations that
will restore human rights to a country. It is the hard work and the
courage of the people claiming their rights," he said.
During 23 years of
war, human rights norms were ignored or flagrantly disregarded. The
offenders included, not only the Taleban, but members of the communist
government that was deposed in 1992, and various factions who fought a
bloody civil war afterward.
Even now,
reports are emerging of attacks on Pashtuns in the north, at the hands
of Tajiks and Uzbeks.
As has often
happened, when internal conflicts finally end, digging up the past can
be a messy business when so many of the offenders have slipped back
into society, such as happened in Cambodia. Many people are reluctant
to reopen old wounds. But others clamor for justice, and some for
retribution.
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