(New York) - President Hamid Karzai should appoint a warlord-free cabinet after he takes office on December 7, Human Rights Watch said today in an open letter to the newly elected president.
The letter urges President Karzai to sideline militia leaders and other officials implicated in past and current human rights abuses and increase his government’s commitment to improving security and the rule of law.
“This is President Karzai’s big chance,” said Brad Adams, Executive Director of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch. “He has a popular mandate from the Afghan people. He should use it to end impunity and warlord rule, now and forever.”
Human Rights Watch also urged President Karzai to work to improve the security situation ahead of next year’s parliamentary and local elections, and ask for greater assistance from the United States and other allies to make this come about.
“President Karzai needs to be more frank and vocal about Afghanistan’s security needs,” said Adams. “President Karzai should pressure NATO and the United States to meet their previous promises to provide troops and help improve security ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.”
Human Rights Watch also called on President Karzai to take up the issue of abuses by U.S. personnel during military operations and in their treatment of detainees, and to take stronger action to promote the rights of women and girls.
