Afghanistan
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for December 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for December 2011, the NGOWG has recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The situation in Afghanistan remains a dangerous one, particularly for women. In discussing reports from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), the Security Council should reinforce that Afghan women must play an active role in all efforts to negotiate a peaceful future for the country, including by inquiring into efforts to support women’s participation in reconciliation talks. The Council should support additional UN capacity to address humanitarian needs, including an increase in UNHCR and OCHA protection and humanitarian affairs officers in regional offices. The Council should ensure political agreements between the Afghan government and insurgent groups include verifiable benchmarks to evaluate the parties’ conformity with human rights obligations.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for October 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for October 2011, the NGOWG has recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The Council is expected to extend the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, as per SCR 1943 (2010). Reports indicate increased civilian displacement by military operations, with numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) doubling since last year. As of July, a gradual transition of security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) began, with a view to full transition and the withdrawal of NATO combat troops by the end of 2014. Afghan women’s groups, continue to raise serious concerns about the prospect for human rights in Afghanistan if the Taleban are invited to join the political process. The Council is therefore urged to:
- Ensure all necessary steps are taken to reduce displacement, and to share information on displacement resulting from military activities with UNHCR, OCHA and other humanitarian actors, in a timely and appropriate manner, to meet IDP needs;
- Strengthen ANSF oversight and accountability mechanisms to protect civilians from ANSF abuses;
- Recommend the establishment of an effective, adequately resourced and independent police ombudsperson, with the authority to investigate complaints against the police, and of police failure to investigate other offences including crimes against women;
- Ensure that members of the Afghan government and insurgent groups are not granted impunity for war crimes;
- Demand that any political agreement between the Afghan government and insurgent groups must include verifiable benchmarks for the parties’ conformity with their human rights obligations; including trends in the school attendance by girls; and the ability of aid workers and civil society activists, in particular women’s human rights defenders, to operate in areas under the control of the parties;
- Insist that reconciliation talks be inclusive and reflective of Afghan civil society, including women and the minority groups.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for September 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for September 2011, the NGOWG has recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The Security Council is due to receive the Secretary-General‟s regular report on Afghanistan, ahead of the Council‟s mandate renewal in October of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and the Istanbul and Bonn conferences on Afghanistan set for November and December respectively. The report should include a comprehensive assessment of ongoing violations of women‟s right in Afghanistan to participate equally in public life and all Afghan peace processes. Previous UN reporting has been inconsistent in providing analysis and concrete recommendations regarding women‟s civil and political rights. Council members should inquire about any lack of such reporting in the next report.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for July 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for July 2011, the NGOWG has recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The political and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains a dangerous one, particularly for women. In the Open Debate on the Secretary-General’s regular report on Afghanistan, each participating UN member state should hold the Council, the Head of the UN Mission, and themselves to account for ensuring that women’s rights are at the center of all efforts to promote sustainable peace in the country in line with SCR 1974 (2011) OPs 6(d), 11, 24, 34, 36 and 37. In these discussions, the Council and other UN member states should:
- Ensure that Afghan women play an active role in the Bonn Conference in December 2011, including shaping the agenda and outcome document;
- Support an increase in UN capacity to ensure humanitarian needs are addressed, including UNHCR and OCHA increasing their protection and humanitarian affairs officers in critical regional offices to address growing humanitarian needs resulting from conflict and drought. There must also be strong support for the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission;
- Support the Afghan government’s development of an inter-ministerial plan to address the needs of displaced Afghans.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for June 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for June 2011, the NGOWG has recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan.
In June, the Council is expected to receive the quarterly report on developments in Afghanistan, as per OP 42 of SCR 1974. Given that the situation for women remains highly insecure, the report should identify what national and international measures are now necessary to better prevent and respond to attacks on women, and bring perpetrators to justice. In view of the ongoing efforts at reintegration and reconciliation, the Council must ensure that human rights, in particular women’s rights, are not sacrificed in efforts to reach a political solution to the ongoing violence.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for March 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for March 2011, the NGOWG had recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The representation of women at decision-making levels in Afghan institutions and mechanisms for the management and resolution of conflict is poor, despite being central to SCR 1325 (particularly OP 1). This includes low representation of women in the government ministries and departments primarily responsible for security matters, and in the High Peace Council, which is mandated to provide political and strategic leadership to the Afghan peace and reintegration process. Also of serious concern are the safety of women human rights defenders, and the moves to restrict the independence of women’s shelters and of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).
The Secretary-General’s report and Council debate on the mandate renewal of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in March must identify challenges and remedies regarding national and international efforts to advance women’sintegration into the political, economic and social life of Afghanistan, as per SCR 1917 (eg OPs 6d, 12, 23, 33, 35). The Council is therefore urged to:
- Invite an Afghan woman leader to speak at the Council’s March debate on Afghanistan, as per SCR 1325 (OP1);
- Request that the Afghan authorities, the UN, and member states engaged in Afghanistan account for measures taken in Afghanistan to include women and women’s priorities in high-level discussions on peace, reintegration and reconciliation processes. Any Afghan and international agreements with the Taleban and other insurgent groups must not allow for new or amended legislation that does not conform with Afghanistan’s obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law;
- Request withdrawal of the draft regulation on Women’s Protection Centres, and call on the Government of Afghanistan take all necessary steps to promptly and effectively investigate complaints by shelter staff and women seeking protection in shelters of harassment and violence, whether by private individuals or by officials acting in a private or public capacity;
- Reiterate the importance of full cooperation with the AIHRC by all relevant actors, as per SCR 1917 (OP6d and OP34) and call on the Afghan authorities not to restrict the independence of the AIHRC
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for December 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for December 2010, the NGOWG had recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The Secretary-General’s next three-monthly report to the Council on developments in Afghanistan is due in December, as per S/RES/1917 (2010). The situation for women, including human rights defenders and newly-elected officials, remains highly insecure. The Secretary-General’s next report should identify what national and international measures are now necessary to better prevent and respond to attacks on women, and bring perpetrators to justice. In view of the ongoing efforts at reintegration and reconciliation, the Council must ensure that human rights, in particular women’s rights, are not sacrificed in efforts to reach a political solution to the ongoing violence.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for October 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for October 2010, the NGOWG had recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
During the expected mandate renewal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, and in line with SCR 1890, the Security Council should ensure that its requested quarterly reports on ISAF operations are timely and include information on ISAF’s implementation of all SCRs on Women, Peace and Security. Also in line with SCR 1890, the Council is urged to review “progress by the Afghan Government in ending impunity and strengthening judicial institutions, the rule of law and respect for human rights within Afghanistan, including for women and girls”.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for September 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for September 2010, the NGOWG had recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The Secretary-General’s report and Council debate in September should review national and international efforts to advance women’s human rights, and women’s integration into the political, economic and social life of Afghanistan, as per SCR 1917 (OP6d, OP12, OP21, OP23, OP33-35). This is particularly important given Afghanistan’s in September elections. The Council is urged to:
- Consider hearing directly from an Afghan woman human rights defender at the open debate on Afghanistan.
- Ensure that Afghan authorities and UN member states increase measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and bring suspected perpetrators to justice, in fair trials and without recourse to the death penalty.
- Demand that the Afghan government does not trade away human rights, including the rights of women and girls, for reconciliation with the Taleban and other insurgent groups. Any reconciliation agreement must not include new legislation or changes in implementation of existing legislation that would restrict rights currently guaranteed in the Constitution of Afghanistan.
- Ensure that Afghan women are meaningfully represented in the planning stages and during reconciliation talks, in line with Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law and SCRs on Women, Peace and Security.
Given the Council’s scheduled October mandate renewal of the International Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), the Council should ensure that the quarterly reports on ISAF operations are timely, and include information on the implementation of the four SCRs on Women Peace and Security, as requested in SCR 1890 on ISAF’s mandate.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for June 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for June 2010, the NGOWG had recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
There are several key events regarding Afghanistan scheduled for June.
- The planned Peace Jirga has been once again postponed, and is now scheduled for early June. Concerns regarding representation persist: the Peace Jirga must reflect Afghan society, particularly the representation of women and minority groups, and the inclusion of their rights and concerns on the agenda.
- The Afghanistan UNAMA country report is due in the Security Council this month. Previous reports have not adequately reflected the serious barriers women face when attempting to assert their rights to participate in all aspects of economic and political life in Afghanistan, nor have these reports included sufficient recommendations for removing these barriers. In particular, Council Members should inquire into any lack of information and analysis on violations of women’s rights.
- The Security Council is scheduling a mission to Afghanistan in late June. As per the Security Council’s stated intention in SCR 1325 OP15, this mission should include meeting with women’s rights organizations. Specifically, both local and international women’s rights defenders should be substantively consulted during the mission, and their concerns are reflected in the mission report and in future Security Council action in Afghanistan.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for May 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for May 2010, the NGOWG had recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
Concerns regarding representation at the planned Peace Jirga must be addressed: it must reflect Afghan society, particularly the representation of women and minority groups, and the inclusion of their rights and concerns on the agenda.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for April 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for April 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
Despite international pressure, Afghan women continue to be excluded from decision-making positions, including from the briefing given to the Council in March (as requested in the March MAP). There has been no repeal of the National Reconciliation, General Amnesty and National Stability bill, increasing the culture of impunity in the country. With the renewal of the UNAMA mandate (SCR 1917), the Council should ensure that its expressed support for the Peace Jirga includes support for women’s meaningful participation in this process, and that any agreements signed fully include women’s human rights, a key part of the UNAMA mandate (SCR 1917, OP 6d).
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for March 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for March 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The forthcoming UNAMA report and mandate renewal come at a time of particular importance for Afghan women. The Council previously mandated UNAMA to coordinate efforts to ensure the full enjoyment by women of their human rights (SCR 1868, OP4g; OP8); stressed implementation of its resolutions on women, peace and security; and requested information on the integration of women into the political, economic and social life of Afghanistan (OP29). Despite this, Afghan women report widespread, ongoing violations of their rights and have voiced serious alarm about any peace talks with the Taliban, fearing their rights will be traded away or further compromised. In addition to ensuring it receives a comprehensive report on the women, peace and security situation in Afghanistan, the Council should:
- Consider hearing directly from a woman human rights defender at the open debate on the situation in Afghanistan;
- Demand that women are meaningfully represented in peace processes and their security ensured, as recommended by Afghan women leaders on the margins of the London Conference on Afghanistan in January;
- Demand the repeal of the National Reconciliation, General Amnesty and National Stability bill (published in the official gazette December 2009), which provides a blanket amnesty for those involved in past and present hostilities in Afghanistan.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for December 2009
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for December 2009, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Afghanistan:
The resolutions authorizing mandates of the UN mission and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan explicitly refer to the resolutions on Women Peace and Security. However, relevant reporting has been uneven. Firstly, the quarterly report on ISAF operations is overdue. Secondly, although the last UN Secretary-General report (S/2009/475) condemned the severe legislative restrictions on women’s rights, the benchmarks in this report did not address the root causes of these restrictions including the need for women’s empowerment, nor women’s specific security concerns.
The next UN Secretary-General report on Afghanistan is due mid-December, and presents an opportunity to review good practices regarding reporting on women peace and security in country situations.
Opinion: Time to involve women in post-conflict rebuilding
25 November, 2011
Amnesty International
These past few months have seen many advances on women’s participation in post-conflict settings; at least on paper.
[Full Article]
Why Women Matter in Peacebuilding
18 November, 2011
PeaceWomen
The recent experience in Iraq and Afghanistan meant that we had a generation of members of the military who had seen firsthand how vital it was to be able to engage with women, women — Iraqi women, Afghan women who had seen how vital it was to have female military personnel in the coalition side there to help engage when it was culturally inappropriate for men to engage, and who had seen also firsthand the ways in which women were both able to be very powerful and influential actors in their communities when given the opportunity…
[Full Article]
Taleban leader’s orders to reduce civilian casualties “hypocritical”
8 November, 2011
Amnesty International
Claims from Afghanistan’s Taleban leadership that the movement is trying to minimise civilian casualties do not match the group’s actions, Amnesty International said today.
[Full Article]
Guarantee Afghan women’s rights in peace talks with the Taleban
4 November, 2011
Amnesty International
Ten years ago, the Afghan government and its international allies pledged to advance women’s rights following the military intervention to oust the Taleban. Millions of Afghan women and girls have seen progress in their lives since 2001: two-and-a-half million girls are enrolled in school, women can work outside their homes and the constitution grants women and men equal legal status.
[Full Article]
Afghanistan: Regional cooperation urged to defend rights
1 November, 2011
Amnesty International
The Afghan government must work with neighbouring countries to protect human rights while facing an increasingly bloody insurgency, Amnesty International said today as a conference in Istanbul brought together officials from across the region.
[Full Article]
Afghanistan: Key Conference Sidelining Women
30 October, 2011
Human Rights Watch
Donors Should Insist on Women’s Full Participation
[Full Article]
Afghanistan ten years on: Slow progress and failed promises
5 October, 2011
Amnesty International
Good record of drafting of national laws and adoption of international human rights standards, including…
[Full Report]
Afghanistan: Rein in Abusive Militias and Afghan Local Police
12 September, 2011
Human Rights Watch
Militias and some units of the new US-backed Afghan Local Police are committing serious human rights abuses, but the government is not providing proper oversight or holding them accountable, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
[Full Article]
“Just Don’t Call It a Militia”
12 September, 2011
Human Rights Watch
This report documents serious abuses, such as killings, rape, arbitrary detention, abductions, forcible land grabs, and illegal raids by irregular armed groups in northern Kunduz province and the Afghan Local Police (ALP) force in Baghlan, Herat, and Uruzgan provinces.
[Full Report]
Afghanistan: Taliban Should Stop Using Children as Suicide Bombers
31 August, 2011
Human Rights Watch
The Taliban’s use of children as suicide bombers in Afghanistan is an egregious affront to humanity that should cease immediately, Human Rights Watch said today.
[Full Article]
Recommendations on Afghanistan’s Reconciliation, Reintegration, and Transition Processes
June 13th, 2011
Institute for Inclusive Security
A delegation of 11 Afghan women leaders from across Afghanistan have released new recommendations to the United States government focused on reintegrating insurgents; pursuing local and national reconciliation; managing the transition of US forces out of Afghanistan; and contending with regional dynamics.
[Full Article]
Afghanistan: Stop Women Being Given as Compensation
8 March 2011
Human Rights Watch
The Afghan government should hold accountable those who seek to impose brutal customary punishments such as baad, where women and girls are given as compensation for crimes.
[Full Article]
Supporting Afghan Women Peacebuilders
March 2011
The Institute for Inclusive Security
Women peacebuilders from 12 insecure provinces in Afghanistan gathered at a March workshop in Kabul, hosted by Afghan nonprofit The Liaison Office and Women Waging Peace Network member Palwasha Hassan, to explore Afghan women’s perspectives on the peace process and develop recommendations for enhancing women’s inclusion in the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program.
The Afghan government must ensure independence of women’s shelters
March 2011
Amnesty International
The Afghan Ministry of Justice has drafted a regulation on Women’s Protection Centres. Although the regulation envisions greater support and monitoring of shelters, Amnesty International opposes regulation that would give the government control over shelters through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, (MOWA). Amnesty International believes that it would be more prudent for NGOs to continue to independently operate shelters, with constructive support from the government.
Afghanistan: Government Takeover of Shelters Threatens Women’s Safety
February 2011
Human Rights Watch
This article reports on the Afghan government move to take over the operations of women’s shelters, a move which threatens the safety of women and girls in Afghanistan. Human Rights Watch urged the government to support, rather than control, the work of shelter providers to ensure that women fleeing domestic violence are able to find safe and secure refuge.
Open Letter to Delegates of the International Conference on Afghanistan, Kabul
20 July 2010
Amnesty International
This Open Letter contains Amnesty International’s call for delegates to ensure that human rights are guaranteed and embedded in all reconciliation processes leading up to and at the International Conference on Afghanistan in Kabul on 20 July 2010.
Field Report: Afghanistan: In a Time of Conflict
December 2010
Refugees International
This report discusses how the U.S.-led military surge in the south is driving insecurity north, causing thousands to flee. Internal displacement has increased by 50 percent and natural disasters and chronic food shortages continue to erode Afghans’ ability to survive, leading to rapid urbanization and the rise of slums.
Afghanistan: Taleban should be prosecuted for war crimes in Afghanistan
10 August 2010
Amnesty International
The Taleban and other insurgent groups should be investigated and prosecuted for war crimes, Amnesty International said, following the release of a UN report showing a rise in targeted killings of civilians in Afghanistan by anti-government fighters.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan conference raises fears of sacrificing rights for short-term peace
19 July 2010
Amnesty International
Plans for a peace deal with the Taleban in Afghanistan could seriously jeopardize the rights of the Afghan people, in particular Afghan women, unless concrete human rights benchmarks are incorporated, said Amnesty International.
Afghanistan: The “Ten-Dollar Talib” and Women’s Rights
July 2010
Human Rights Watch
This 65-page report addresses the potential challenges to women’s rights posed by future government agreements with insurgent forces. The report describes how in areas under Taliban control, women are often subjected to threats, intimidation and violence, girls’ education is targeted, and women political leaders and activists are attacked and killed with impunity.
Afghanistan: How Settling With the Taliban Puts Women at Risk
August 2010
Human Rights Watch
“If you had to choose between saving a girl’s life or enabling her to go to school, which would you do first?” This was Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s reply when I asked him last month if the rights of Afghan women might be sacrificed for a peace settlement with the Taliban.
Afghan Women and Girls: Building the Future of Afghanistan
24 February 2010
Human Rights Watch
Testimony of Rachel Reid to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the role of women and girls in the peace building process.
Afghanistan: Human Rights must be guaranteed during Taliban talks
26 January 2010
Amnesty International
A press release stating that human rights, including women’s rights, must not be traded away or compromised during any reconciliation talks with the Taleban in Afghanistan, Amnesty International said on the eve of a London conference set to discuss deteriorating security conditions in the country.
Afghanistan: 2010 World Report
January 2010
Human Rights Watch
This chapter on Afghanistan in Human Rights Watch’s 2010 World Report outlines key events and issues from 2009.
Link to the World Report Chapter
Act Now to Protect Women
26 April 2010
Human Rights Watch
A call to Reject Delay in Steps to End Rape in War and Include Women in Peace Talks in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Women human rights defenders continue to struggle for women’s rights
7 March 2008
Amnesty International
Public Statement expressing support for the human rights of women in Afghanistan in general, and in particular for women human rights defenders in Afghanistan.
Member Organizations
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