(New York) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai should put a stop to the intimidation of former Women's Affairs minister, Dr. Sima Samar, Human Rights Watch said today. A formal charge of blasphemy against Dr. Samar was dismissed by a Kabul court on Monday, but future charges are still possible.
The blasphemy charge against Dr. Samar is part of a larger pattern of threats and intimidation directed at legitimate representatives in Afghanistan - and especially women," said LaShawn R. Jefferson, Executive Director of the Women's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. "It seems that in Afghanistan, female leaders who stand up to warlords are threatened, while the warlords themselves are given high-level government posts."
Human Rights Watch has learned that Dr. Samar received a summons on June 22 calling for her to appear in a Kabul court to face a blasphemy charge. A letter to the editor in a weekly newspaper published by Jamiat-e Islami, Payman-e Muhajid ("message of the holy warrior"), had previously alleged that Dr. Samar told a Canadian newspaper that she did not believe in Sharia (Islamic law). The writer had demanded that she be given "appropriate punishment," and that the judicial authorities carry out an investigation. After Dr. Samar complained to President Karzai, the court dropped the charge on June 24, saying that it was not supported by sufficient evidence. But a deputy chief justice, Fazel Ahmad Manawi, was quoted by the BBC as saying, "Maybe, if we get stronger evidence, we will reopen the case."
"The use of a blasphemy charge against Samar - even if it was later dropped - is a troubling sign that the judiciary in Afghanistan might become an instrument of political repression," said Jefferson. "The charge can be reinstated, against Dr. Samar or anyone else, and be used to silence and intimidate. The government needs to explain how all of this happened, why it happened, and why it won't happen again."
Human Rights Watch said the blasphemy charge is connected to reports of threats during the loya jirga. During the loya jirga, Human Rights Watch documented how Dr. Samar and several other female delegates were targeted for intimidation on numerous occasions. The blasphemy allegation was repeatedly highlighted by warlords threatening Dr. Samar. Delegates aligned with the Jamiat-i Islami party, and other groups aligned with the former president, Burhanuddin Rabbani, demanded that she "repent" for comments in the paper. Chief Justice Shinwari was widely reported in Afghan media as saying that Dr. Samar had made "irresponsible statements" and that the Supreme Court of Afghanistan believes that she cannot hold an official position in government.
Human Rights Watch said that the intimidation and threats had helped to marginalize Dr. Samar during and after the loya jirga.
Human Rights Watch also called on President Karzai to carry through on his promise to investigate all cases of intimidation during the loya jirga, and to ensure the security of those who report such abuses.
