(New York) - Human Rights Watch today called on President Hamid Karzai to launch investigations into intimidation of loya jirga delegates by senior military and political leaders, including members of the interim administration. Human Rights Watch also urged Karzai to direct the newly formed Afghan Human Rights Commission and provide it with the necessary resources, to hear complaints about intimidation, monitor delegates as they return to their areas of origin, and recommend steps towards accountability.
Human Rights Watch has documented and reported numerous instances of threats and intimidation by specific warlords and their supporters, many connected to the loya jirga process. On June 17, Karzai invited loya jirga delegates to report cases of intimidation directly to him. This invitation acknowledged that delegates participating in the loya jirga have been threatened and intimidated both before and during the assembly.
"President Karzai has shown that he is serious about addressing intimidation by warlords," said Saman Zia-Zarifi, senior researcher for Human Rights Watch. "Strong measures are now needed. To break this dangerous trend, investigations must be launched immediately into cases of intimidation." Zia-Zarifi also noted that those coming forward to complain of intimidation would need guarantees of confidentiality and protection.
By initiating such investigations, the transitional government would be acting consistently with the letter and spirit of the Bonn Agreement and the rules and procedures of the loya jirga, both of which aim to increase the authority of legitimate representatives of Afghan civil society and decrease the power of warlords.
Human Rights Watch is especially concerned about the safety of the hundreds of delegates who courageously withstood the intimidation of the warlords but will soon return to villages, towns and cities across Afghanistan where warlords continue to wield power.
Many delegates spoke to Human Rights Watch about their fear of returning to districts where the specter of violence looms large. One woman told Human Rights Watch that the security measures in Kabul gave her the courage to be outspoken, but she now fears returning to her city of origin. Other delegates who were vocal in their criticisms of regional commanders shared similar sentiments.
Human Rights Watch also urged President Karzai to create human rights reporting and monitoring mechanisms that are accessible to all Afghans. The new Afghan government should deploy mechanisms envisioned in the Bonn Agreement, such as the newly established Human Rights Commission and the planned Civil Service Commission, to build a system of accountability for those involved in serious violations of human rights. International assistance and sustained commitment to these efforts are needed.
"Afghanistan cannot do this alone," said Zia-Zarifi. "President Karzai has repeatedly called for a greater security presence. It is past time for the international community to heed this call by acting now to improve security conditions throughout Afghanistan."
Human Rights Watch said that the incoming transitional government would need much time and resources to train and deploy a national police force. In the meantime, an expanded international security force is the only way to ensure peace in Afghanistan
