Afghanistan. - Forced Migration Online

again, warlords dominated the scene in areas outside of Kabul, making it difficult to ensure
freedom of speech or political participation. Many groups have documented the abuses
carried out by warlords which dominated each of Afghanistan’s regional provinces. These
include rape, forced displacement, human trafficking in women and children, and the seizure
of property. Importantly, there was also a resurgence of Taliban in conservative Pashtun areas
in the east and south of the country, which impacted the willingness of many to send girls to
school or women to work. The rise of such groups has been attributed to the fact that
legitimate political representation was not achieved throughout the Bonn process but rather
served to further entrench existing factions. The monitoring of human rights by international
agencies such as the UN has also fallen short. In 2005, the lack of adequate troops and
resources meant that human rights remained poor in many parts. The rise of the drug
economy has contributed to the problem and poverty remains widespread. Leaders and
militias from Afghan warring parties and the resurgence of the Taliban are together
contributing to insecurity and human rights abuses. This situation worsened still in 2006.
Groups such as Human Rights Watch continue to call for the government to undertake a
programme to provide truth, reconciliation and accountability for war crimes and major
human rights abuses which have taken place over the past 30 years of conflict. In 2007,
legislation was introduced to the national assembly which would grant amnesty to all
representatives of the mujahudeen. This created a considerable backlash amongst the
international community which eventually led to a watered down text which would prevent
blanket immunity of those who have committed war crimes. Indeed, progress in the reform of
the justice sector has been slow and hampered the establishment of a functioning and
effective system of law and order.
More than a year after the launching of the Afghanistan Compact, there are few signs of
improvement in security and human rights. Insurgency is on the rise which has led to more
direct contact between international forces and populations. Insurgency fighters often locate
themselves within the civilian population leading to civilians deaths (frequently referred to as
‘collateral damage’), displacement, loss of property, and destruction of livelihoods.
Websites
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in
Afghanistan
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in
Afghanistan and on the achievements of technical assistance in the field of human rights
Human Rights Watch
Letter to Security Council Regarding the Bonn Agreement
Afghanistan: Poor Rights Record of Opposition Commanders
Afghanistan: Slow Progress on Security and Rights
Afghanistan: US Should Investigate Civilian Deaths
Afghanistan: Justice for War Criminals Essential to Peace
Amnesty International
2.2.5 Treaties and International Agreements
The following Conventions and Covenants have been ratified:
Geneva Conventions of 1949
Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols on the Sale of Children,
Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
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