Issue # 4 and the United Nations 2011 Afghanistan on brink of polio eradication

UN intensies efforts to reach children in southern provinces

why Afghanistan remains one of only four countries in the world – along with , and Nigeria – still affected by the disease. “In 2009, there was no access to children for nearly a year in Marja district, Helmand province, because of ongoing military operations,” said Dr Arshad Quddus, head of WHO’s polio programme in Afghanistan. Humanitarian access in Afghanistan overall has shrunk in the past several years, according to the UN Ofce for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA). UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon dedicated his Rotary Polio Eradication Champion Award in 2009 to three polio staff killed in September 2008 while monitoring the UN polio campaign in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar. To secure greater access to some communities, the UN negotiates with local leaders, such as tribal elders and teachers, UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador and cricket player, Raees Ahmadzai, administers two drops of the oral polio vaccine and enlists local volunteers who are trained to a child at a health clinic in Jalalabad. UNICEF and monitored by health supervisors. The Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health This year, 23 polio cases have been reported UN also relies on a “window of opportunity” (MoPH), with the support of World Health in districts of Kandahar, Helmand, Farah and strategy where children who live in areas that Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Parwan provinces. are only accessible for a short period of time, Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is intensifying are reached through specially arranged and MoPH, WHO and UNICEF are working to efforts to wipe out polio from the country by focused campaigns. engage all sectors of the government and the end of 2012. society to ensure that service providers have The success of the Polio Eradication Initiative From 17 through 19 September, more than access to all under-ve children wherever is in large part due to the neutrality of the polio 55,000 medical staff and volunteers across the they live in Afghanistan. Priority outreach for vaccination programme, which dates back country went door-to-door to give two drops of this immunization campaign is also being decades to the times when mujahidin ghters an oral polio vaccine to 7.8 million children as directed to the southern and eastern border used to broker temporary ceaseres during part of an annual National Immunization Days regions, where the free movement of the immunization campaigns and stick polio Campaign. population between Pakistan and Afghanistan posters on their tanks. continues to spread the disease between the Afghanistan is on the brink of polio eradication. “The programme is neutral. Irrespective of two countries. The total number of cases declined by 34 per tribal or political afliation, all children are cent in 2010 compared to 2009, according to Lack of access to all children living in the vaccinated,” said UNICEF’s senior polio WHO and UNICEF. southern provinces has been a major reason worker, Carmen Garrigos. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon maps out UN role in Afghanistan UN can help facilitate Afghan peace talks, Ban says

The United Nations can help facilitate peace though ISAF (International Security Assistance insurgents, which Western ofcials say are talks in Afghanistan, UN chief Ban Ki-moon Force) members may withdraw their military tentatively underway. has said, urging the international community engagement,” he said. “The military means are important and useful not to abandon the nation as troops pull out. “There is very serious insecurity,” Ban added, and can be effective but that’s not all,” he said. The UN Secretary-General stressed that saying that foreign forces could help strengthen “There should always be a political dialogue while foreign combat troops are due to leave the Afghan National Army and police. Afghanistan by 2014, this should not be seen and there is a consensus in the international He said the UN could provide technical as a full exit for the global community. community that there needs to be some sort assistance and political advice to the of negotiation and dialogue.” “The international community has an obligation administration of President to continuously engage with Afghanistan even to conduct negotiations with -led Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP)

InsideStories Negotiating peace Teaching law enforcers Preserving history Habibullah Fouzi urges talks training for ofcers Cultural peace-building

See page 2 See page 4 See page 6 2 Afghanistan and the United Nations From the Taliban to the High Peace Council Delisted former Taliban member Habibullah Fouzi talks about peace

Pakistan and Afghanistan. We’ve contacted the Taliban and hope that peace will come but there are problems in this path such as that a location must be found outside Afghanistan with guaranteed diplomatic immunity where the Taliban negotiators can be secure and safe in the knowledge that they will not be arrested. UN: Where is the best country for this ofce to open in? Fouzi: The best options are Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia or Turkey. But for all this to happen, more names must be removed from the blacklist. Fighters reconciling with the Government in Kandahar. Governor’s Media Centre UN: Where do you see Afghanistan in ve As one-time ambassador to Riyadh decided that negotiation and not war were the years’ time? and Islamabad during the rule of the way towards peace. Fouzi: If there are no negotiations in Taliban and now member of the High UN: So where do the negotiations stand now? Afghanistan and no conciliation with the Peace Council, Habibullah Fouzi is one opposition, then in ve years from now we Fouzi: Messages have been exchanged of the highest-ranking members of the don’t have a positive view of what will happen. between the HPC and the Taliban leadership, deposed Taliban regime willing to help Foreign troops will no longer be here in ve there’s ongoing contact but we are still waiting the Government negotiate peace with his year and, if there’s no reconciliation, there will for them to prepare themselves for negotiations former comrades. be big problems. I can even speculate that if by nominating their representatives. Fouzi, a delistee of the UN Security Council’s the international community does not protect sanctions list for Taliban and Al Qaeda, urges Their primary condition is the exit of foreign Afghanistan, then we fear that Afghanistan will the international community to remove more forces. Their other condition is that Afghanistan become the centre of Al Qaeda again. be governed by Islamic law consistent with names to coax the Taliban to the table, and to Disclaimer: The views expressed in this interview create a safe haven for the negotiators. the second and third article of the Afghan do not necessarily reect the opinions of the United Constitution which species that every law is Nations. UN: What is your Peace Day message to made according to Islam whereas any law in Afghanistan? conict with Islamic teachings is unacceptable. How the High Peace Council and Habibullah Fouzi: We’re pleased that the UN: Women’s groups claim that all of the Salaam Support Group work UN has ensured we celebrate a Peace Day gains they have made in the past ten years Afghanistan’s High Peace Council (HPC) on which day every side involved in armed will be reversed if the Taliban come back. was established in October 2010, following conicts around the world respect a ceasere, Fouzi: This claim stems from a complete the Consultative Peace Jirga. The 1,600 even if it only lasts as long as the day itself. confusion on their part because what the members of the Peace Jirga – including Islam is a religion that strives for peace. We Taliban say is that they want Islamic law. In about 300 women – agreed that the HPC can see this from Islamic history, when during Islamic law women’s rights are protected. be created to help lead national efforts to the Muslims’ confrontation with the Quraysh Islam actually imposes learning and education achieve peace, primarily to sway ghters to tribe in Mecca, our Prophet Muhammad upon women because the Prophet says that negotiate with the Government. (peace and blessings upon him) signed a man and woman alike are obliged to learn. At the High Peace Council’s request, the peace document with them in 628. Though UN: How did you end up leaving the Taliban United Nations created a group of experts they were later forced to conquer Mecca by and joining the peace process? known as the Salaam Support Group to force, they commemorate their victory on the Fouzi: I was not an ideological Talib. Before provide technical and logistical assistance anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty the Taliban I worked for the mujahedeen for HPC’s work. rather than on the anniversary of the city’s movement. Along with some friends and violent takeover. “UNAMA’s support for the High Peace brothers who shared the same views and in Council is consistent with its Security UN: What progress has the High Peace order to serve our country we made common Council mandate to assist the Government Council (HPC) made in its peace negotiations? cause with the Taliban. After their government and the people of Afghanistan in laying Fouzi: When 1,600 delegates from all round ended, we came to in 2005 in order to the foundations for sustainable peace and the country formed the HPC last year it was collaborate with the government in ending the development,” said Staffan de Mistura, UN a large step forward, as was the London war and bringing about national unity. Special Representative of the Secretary- Conference where the international community Now we’re working to end the problem between General for Afghanistan. Prof. Rabbani death: United Nations condolences Removed from the blacklist “I am deeply shocked by the death of Professor The UN Security Council Sanctions Burhanuddin Rabbani, former Committee in July made it easier for the and Chairman of the High Peace Council in a bomb Taliban to join the peace efforts by dividing attack at his house in Kabul. I am saddened to hear its sanctions list into two. The list included that Minister Masoom Stanekzai, Head of the Joint more than 500 names of Taliban and Al Secretariat, has been injured, and other civilians have Qaeda members subject to travel bans, also been killed or injured. asset freezes and arms embargos. The division makes it easier for former Taliban I condemn in the strongest possible terms this attack members to be taken off the list - if they on people who were working to bring peace in renounce violence, cut ties with Al Qaeda Afghanistan. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the and accept the Afghan Constitution. families of the deceased and wounded. The Security Council has requested I would like to reiterate that the United Nations remains the High Peace Council to include committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people in communication supporting each delisting attaining peace and stability and to working in close request, to conrm that the former ghter cooperation with them.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon UNAMA/Eric Kanalstein plans to make peace with the Government. 3 Issue #4 Breaking the cycle of violence More than 2,500 reintegrees have renounced violence and joined the Government-initiated peace efforts, but challenges remain

and reintegration) and DIAG (disbanding of illegal armed groups) programmes that aimed at managing the re-entry of former combatants into their communities. It is part of an Afghan- led $221 million program sponsored by Japan, Denmark, Germany and Italy. Reintegrees register or surrender their weapons and submit to biometric registering before being issued with an APRP card. Should they be known to ISAF, they are also removed from its targeting list. Top commanders and political actors may eventually enjoy benets like being delisted from the UN Security Council sanctions list, being granted political amnesty and/or being exiled to a third country. Success and criticism One breakthrough case was that of Commander Nurulaziz, a Taliban member from Kandahar who was appointed by the Quetta Shura to become the shadow governor of the northern province of Kunduz. But instead of heading north to assume his duties, he negotiated with the High Peace Council and surrendered his weapons along with about 50 followers. The pioneering programme consists of ve strands: from reconciliation with the leadership of the insurgency, their demobilization and the training of reintegrees in literacy and new professional disciplines to offering grievance resolution and transitional assistance. Criticisms leveled at the APRP include Reintegree in Badakhshan undergoes iris scanning for the APRP biometric database. UNAMA/Eric Kanalstein allegations that very few of the reintegrees hail from the South and East where the Growing up in the village of Qalbat in Kunduz “The majority of reintegrees tell us that their insurgency’s main recruiting grounds lie and Province, Qari Saheb (an honoric used for motivation for joining us was their realization that a high rate revert to the insurgency. a religious man in order to protect his real that war in Afghanistan is not in the interest of Farhadullah discounts this and points to identity) grew up unfamiliar with politics. His Islam but in the interest of some neighbouring the Kandahar APRP conference on 12-13 political education started on the day when countries,” said Farhadullah Farhad, the September as proof that there is progress on the Taliban took over his district, forcing him deputy chief executive of the High Peace that front, too. to familiarize himself with how to negotiate Council Secretariat. potentially life and death matters. “There are negotiations at different levels for Strategy for peace different people and their result will be that “The mujaheds (the term used by Taliban some of those commanders will join us,” he said. for their ghters; the government calls them The 2,500 Taliban ghters that have joined doshman or enemy) came to our area in 2008 the programme in its rst year of operation With nine of the 70 High Peace Council and started bothering us,” said Qari Saheb. represent roughly ten percent of the overall members being women, it is the hope of some “They forcibly collected taxes, beat up elders insurgency according to British Major General that they can also act as facilitators for peace. Phil Jones who coordinates ISAF’s work on and didn’t allow anyone to vote in elections for “Women play a very important role in the what they called a corrupt government.” the subject. community and can act for peace from within Instead of taking up arms, Qari Saheb “At its highest level the High Peace Council the family,” said Somah Ibrahimi, the deputy mediated on behalf of the disgruntled villagers works national and international politics director of Communications and Outreach for with Taliban shadow governor Mullah Bahadir and guides the strategy for peace,” said the High Peace Council Secretariat. “She may (since killed) and was appointed local leader Jones. “At its lowest level the peace process not be able to intervene between two ghting of 30 Taliban ghters from regions as diverse supports ghters and their communities to sides of men but boys will always listen to their as Ghazni, Khost and Paktika. rejoin Afghanistan with honor and with dignity mothers and tomorrow they will be the men taking decisions in this country.” Perhaps because he was never fully trusted providing that they renounce violence, sever ties with terrorist groups and live under the by the Taliban leadership, Qari Saheb and his APRP Basics men were assigned to support duty. He was Constitution.” Reintegrees: 2,435 never a frontline ghter but as government Upon joining the programme, reintegrees are operations in the area became more intense, given wages for three months to help them nd Provincial Peace Committees formed, approved and functioning: 25 he decided that “surrender was my only choice.” jobs or start businesses. They are also asked Since joining the APRP (Afghan Peace and to sign a declaration pledging to renounce Provincial joint secretariats operational: 26 Reconciliation Process), Qari Saheb has been violence, respect the Afghan Constitution and Approved budged for the current scal year: trained in landmine disposal by the Halo Trust, break ties with the insurgency. $87.7 million a British NGO. He is one of over 2,500 Taliban “The North and the West are the most Donor contributions: $141.1 million members who have joined APRP reintegration successful reintegration areas but there efforts which aim at reconciliation with the The APRP is led by the Government of have also been important breakthroughs leadership of the insurgency, resolving former Afghanistan with technical assistance from in Kandahar,” said Farhad, hinting at ghters’ grievances towards the Afghan UNDP and implemented by the Joint Secretariat government and training them in literacy, civic ongoing negotiations to convince important of the Afghan Peace and Reconciliation education and an alternative take on Quranic commanders to come to the government side. Programme. The major donors are Japan, US, texts that deemphasize violence in conict The APRP is the successor to the also UNDP- Germany and UK. resolution. managed DDR (disarmament, demobilization Source: UNDP 4 Afghanistan and the United Nations Building more capable Afghan police The United Nations offers literacy training to Afghanistan’s police and its growing female force

Female police ofcers training to shoot in Kabul. UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Afghanistan has 130,000 police ofcers which is awaiting a green light from the Ministry This is the rst UNESCO-supported literacy but only 1,195 of these are women. The of Interior. programme for Afghan police specically, overwhelming majority serve as regular but the UN agency is jointly working with the UNESCO and the Ministry of Interior are patrol ofcers with few occupying managerial Ministry of Education on a separate $34 million implementing a joint literacy programme positions. programme started in 2008 that aims to offer known as Literacy for Empowering Afghan literacy opportunities to 600,000 youth and “Even these few managers have to deal with Police (LEAP) that envisages the training of adults around the country by 2013. Sixty per discrimination at police station level and get 3,000 ofcers across the country over the cent of the expected beneciaries are women. frustrated,” said Rudolfo Landeros, UN Senior next 18 months. UNESCO will draw on its Police Adviser who oversees a growing unit institutional expertise in literacy to enhance Afghanistan is at a critical stage in its that works closely with more established teaching and learning materials that target transition towards sustaining new institutions actors in police force training such as NATO, everyday uses by national police. and governance. As the 2014 date for the EUPOL (the European Union-led mission) and Building capacity departure of most NATO troops approaches, private companies such as Dyncorp. the ANP is expected to step up and play a Given that 70 per cent of ofcers are either crucial role in maintaining order and security. “My unit is in its infancy but we’ll accelerate illiterate or have limited reading and writing There is already a Human Rights and Gender once we get rolling,” said Landeros. “We want to skills, the $3 million Japanese government- Unit in the Ministry of Interior whose director is increase from eight seconded national ofcers funded scheme will improve police literacy and a female police ofcer. to 20, making 25 in total, and immediately hire provide transferable knowledge and skills that two Afghan police ofcers. They can open so many doors for us since they speak the will allow police to better perform their duties. language and understand the culture.” “Building human resource capacity is a major The UN’s long-term plan is to focus on capacity- issue which the Government of Japan believes building for female police ofcers and on police of the foundation of any development,” accountability. Internal affairs transparency said Reiichiro Takahashi, the Japanese and police misconduct are focus areas, while ambassador in Kabul. “This new programme is an independent oversight committee that will a major step toward sustainable and effective review internal police investigations is also in development in Afghan National Police (ANP) the process of being established. human resources.” United Nations Educational, Scientic and UNESCO is collaborating closely with NATO Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Training Mission in Afghanistan (NTM-A) and Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN the German Development Corporation (GIZ), Women are also getting involved. UNFPA the two major players in police literacy. developed a handbook for the police academy “It’s another way of contributing to the peace that is a compendium of Afghan laws process” said Mohammad Amin Sadiqi, a and tackles ethical policing, human rights spokesperson for UNESCO. “A literate police standards and safeguarding against violence service can perform their duties and serve targeted at women. UNESCO has crafted a society better which strengthens the relation literacy programme for Afghan police ofcers, of people and government.” UNAMA/Eric Kanalstein 5 Issue #4 Taking responsibility for security

Political leaders in Bamyan, Helmand and Laghman talk about the rst months of transition

With the transition of security responsibilities from international to Afghan forces underway in seven provinces, senior ofcials from three very different areas – Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal, Governor Habiba Sarabi from Bamyan and Jamiatullah Hamidi, Deputy Governor of Laghman – discuss the progress and challenges. What are some of the immediate effects on security following the transition in your provinces? Mangal: The peace process is so far successfully progressing in Helmand. Only 30 armed insurgents have joined the peace process up to now, which is not a big number but these are real Taliban. Unfortunately, there are some elements in Helmand who are trying to disrupt and foil the peace process and weaken peoples’ condence. However our effort is to keep this process going on. In addition, in the areas of Sangeen and Sarwan Qala, with the assistance of local elites, we talked indirectly with the local Taliban and Highlighted areas represent provinces under transition. UNAMA/Akram Darwish reached an agreement that they will hopefully stop sabotaging activities and in response, we will go there with development projects such they can carry on their illicit businesses inspire in them a sense of patriotism, national successfully. as construction of roads, schools, clinics, solidarity and integrity. bridges and canals. Sarabi: Our people have been facing Transition is also not only taking security serious problems of insecurity. The local Sarabi: Security is better in Bamyan responsibilities but Afghans should build administration is working with the assistance due to the cooperation between people their capacity to shoulder responsibilities in of central government, Ministry of Interior, of the province and security forces and all other elds. Hence, transition needs the international forces, Independent Directorate inter-provincial cooperation. This was the sacrice of our personal interests over the of Local Governance and local administrations reason that transition process took place in national interests. We need to join hands of Parwan and Maidan Wardak provinces to Bamyan without any challenges. The local with each other for better harmony, integrity make the travelling routes safer for the people administration of Bamyan believes in the and cohesion to be able to gradually and of Bamyan. cooperation of people and capacity of security successfully implement the forces and is satised that the security situation The biggest challenge I face “Transition is not a process of transition in all will continue to improve. as Governor is attracting temporary practice; parts of the country. development funds from Hamidi: Security in Mihtarlam city, the capital it is a process Sarabi: Transition is a central government and of Laghman province, is better than it was in national process and Bamyan donors. The biggest challenge which needs wise the past, no security incident happened in the province considers it a to security in Bamyan is province. Afghan Taliban, who are ghting implementation national obligation to develop . To overcome it, we against the Government, are our brothers. We under an appropriate better plans and implement need jobs and development are doing our best to contact them through them for the success of this , and development activities strategy and Peace Committee of Peace and Reconciliation process. So far transition need funds. Commission, and our intelligence entities. resources” has been welcomed and A total of 80 anti-Government elements put Hamidi: Looking ahead to supported in Bamyan. their weapons and joint peace process in the the second phase of transition which will Hamidi: There are two methods to foster province recently. involve more districts in Laghman, we are peace and reconciliation – contacting anti- ready to take responsibilities from ISAF but What are some of the challenges to Government elements and setting up it will be quite difcult. The areas bordering security? development projects. We are setting up mountainous provinces of Kunar, Nuristan, a lot of projects in the city as well as in the Mangal: We are confronting huge challenges Kapisa and Panjshir pose unique challenges and there is a lot of work and sacrices districts. These projects not only provide job because of their location in the mountains. needed to reach our targets. Besides the and income opportunities for those joining armed insurgency, there is foreign interference What are your messages to the people of the peace process, but they also enhance in Helmand. Weapons, bombs, mines and Afghanistan about the transition process? credibility and encourage people to trust their other war tools are supplied. Drugs motivate Mangal: Transition is not a temporary practice; Government. continued ghting in Helmand. Another it is a process which needs wise implementation *The rst phase of transition is also underway challenge is the land maa in Helmand, which under an appropriate strategy and resources. in Mazar, Herat and Pahshir provinces. is very dangerous. The maa is involved in conscation and occupation of government Afghanistan is the motherland of Afghans and Transfer of security in Kabul started in 2008. land. These people are afraid of rule of law they should be able to defend their country and Disclaimer: The views expressed in this and want insecurity to prevail and corruption to run its affairs. We should create awareness interview do not necessarily reect the rule over the system. In a lawless environment among our people, particularly the youth, and opinions of the United Nations. 6 Afghanistan and the United Nations Building a culture of peace by preserving history The return of stolen artifacts helps create a shared national identity

priorities for the culture sector in Afghanistan” Cassar said. He added that revitalizing Afghanistan’s cultural heritage and institutions would benet economic growth through job creation in the cultural tourism and creative industries worth over 1 trillion dollars world-wide. “Two of Afghanistan’s largest regional neighbours, India and China are not only vast exporters of ‘culture’ but are also vast consumers and it is an opportunity that Afghanistan should begin to grasp now, rather than waiting for so-called ‘better times’,” Cassar said. At the museum, the sixth-graders scrawled notes in their blue notebooks and hurried after their teacher to hear about a Buddha statue which was broken into pieces during the civil war but was later reassembled by museum workers. Gold ornament from a collection known as the Bactrian Hoard/National Gallery of Art “Promotion of awareness among people, especially the young, about the importance Minutes after the front doors opened at the the National Museum, in part also to keep of these items is the only way to preserve National Museum in Kabul, sixth-graders them from looters who continue to ransack them and give them a shared identity that lined up in rows in front of their teacher as this and other cultural sites. will help lay the foundation for peace,” said she showed off ancient bronze pots, as well Massoudi. “Seventy per cent of our artifacts were stolen as photos of the museum from 1995 showing from 1992 to 1995 alone. I can estimate that we destroyed ceiling and walls. lost around 70,000 pieces of Afghan treasures “We have saved these old pictures of the during those years just from our museum. It museum from the civil wars so that the young was a sad, terrible period,” Massoudi said. Supporting free and generation can learn and understand the importance of peace and cultural heritage,” In recent years, international police such as independent media said Mohammad Massoudi, the museum’s the UK’s customs ofce and Interpols Interpol director. have seized thousands of objects from From just one radio station in 2001 to nearly smugglers at airports and returned them to the 1,000 news outlets currently operating Since 2002, the Government of Afghanistan, museum. in Afghanistan, the growth of the media with support from the United Nations Educations sector is one of the country’s greatest “We have been able to retrieve more than 8500. and Scientic Organization (UNESCO) and success stories and a huge step towards This gives the new generation a message other international partners, has helped rebuild enabling the population of nearly 30 million the National Museum and restore some of the of peace that we are now able to identify to access information. cultural sites in Herat, and get back our stolen Journalists working in a free and independent Ghazni and the World “If a culture of peace collections,” Massoudi press bring the realities of the people to Heritage sites in Jam said, showing one of the decision and policy makers, while also and Bamyan. is to be encouraged in pieces – a blue owl from keeping the country’s leaders honest The latest addition is Afghanistan, it must the 12th century now on by informing people about political and display at the museum. the newly identied be grounded in the economic activities. Mes Aynak heritage He added that it is up Today, Afghanistan remains one of the site southeast of concepts of cultural to Afghans to take the most dangerous countries for journalists to Kabul in Logar responsibility themselves work. At least 13 international and six local province beneath diversity and a shared to ensure that the country’s journalists have been killed in the country what used to be an Al treasures remain for future since 2001, according to the Committee Qaeda training camp national identity” generations. to Protect Journalists, and more than 80 in the 1990s and journalists have reportedly been attacked. “People here are not educated and they don’t what is slated to be a copper mine in coming The most publicized recent case is of know the value of these artifacts that they are years. The excavation, led by the Afghan Razaq Mamoon who had acid thrown in his helping to smuggle,” Massoudi said. Government’s National Institute of Archeology, face in January, the media attention around the attack spurred the Ministry of Interior to is considered to be one of the largest Buddhist Part of the problem is that many sites of investigate and order arrests. sites in the country and equal in importance to potential great importance remain unknown to the famous ruins in Bamyan. all but the local people living nearby and the Drawing attention to such attacks is part of looters, said UNESCO’s Culture Programme the work done by UNESCO in Afghanistan “Mes Aynak is one of the most important Specialist Brendan Cassar. and UNAMA’s Human Rights Unit which heritage sites that have been recently identied “If a culture of peace is to be encouraged systematically monitor the situation of and the excavation work is in process. We in Afghanistan, it must be grounded in the press freedom. This work is done in the have received many old statues of Buddha concepts of cultural diversity and a shared context of the International Covenant on and other pieces,” said Massoudi. Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) adopted national identity. Museums lie at the heart in 1966 by the UN General Assembly – of Some of the statues from the site are being of a positive inter-cultural dialogue and their which Afghanistan is a member since 1946. documented and brought for conservation to rehabilitation remains one of UNESCOs 7 Issue #4 Grassroot bridges in peace efforts Modern approaches to reconciliation allow universities and civil society to play vital role

Afghan civil society supporting organizations, have attempted to mediate between the Government and opposition the High Peace Council groups to create space for negotiations. Civil society, which includes non-governmental In addition, religious civil society groups have organizations (NGOs), women’s networks and also spoken out on behalf of Afghan civilians. religious groups, works in parallel with the Government of Afghanistan and the United “The Council has always condemned killing Nations through the High Peace Council of innocent people and destruction either by (HPC) to create local support for peace efforts Taliban, Al-Qaeda, international forces or other within communities. opponents,” said Moulavi Shams-Ur-Rehman Frotan from the Ulema Council Afghanistan. Calling civil society a bridge between the HPC, the Government of Afghanistan and Afghans, “The Ulemas have issued many fatwas against Sameera Hamidi, the Country Director of the suicide attacks and the killing of innocent Afghan Women’s Network (AWN), said such people and showed them to be un-Islamic, organizations have strong contact with the inhuman and barbaric through quotes from the communities because they are often locally Quran, Ahadeeth and Muftis and Mujtahideen based and have a better understanding of statements.” their problems and concerns over the national In addition to working towards common goals, issues. civil society also monitors the HPC to ensure “We can inform the communities about the its activities are transparent and effective. Studying peace to make peace details and importance of current peace Civil leaders, including Raee and Sameera, A pilot course on conict resolution has been process and create buy-in among them for praised the HPC for having regular contact expanded this year from a few students at the policies and programmes of HPC, while with their groups but urged the Council to Kabul Polytechnic University to more than 550 informing the HPC about the concerns of the provide more information about its activities to students representing all ethnic groups at ve communities regarding negotiations with the ensure they are transparent and effective. universities nationwide. armed opponents and other efforts,” Sameera “People have doubts about the current peace “The aim is to contribute to the reduction of said. process and consider it more an exit strategy violent conict and support Afghanistan’s Speaking on behalf of the Afghan Civil Society for international forces rather than a sheer transition to a post-conict society by building Forum (ASCF), an umbrella organization peace process which upholds human rights, capacity at different levels in universities and for hundreds of Afghan NGOs, Director Aziz women’s rights and democratic principles,” to promote a culture of peace-building,” said Raee said that these small groups have said Sameera, the Country Director of the Homa Khalid, a professor of Polytechnic a greater ability to reach people in local Afghan Women’s Network (AWN). University and the programme coordinator. communities, and both explain and advocate She added that there is a seeming shroud of Students use the principles learned in class to for the peace process. secrecy around the peace efforts – including solve real-life everyday conicts. On the ip side, civil society also advises talks with the Taliban - which make regular “Hard political talks between students within the HPC on their programmes with respect Afghans doubt the ambitions of the HPC the dormitory led to physical disputes and to human rights, including women’s rights, participants and the practicality of what they injuries. Some groups started to give an accountability and effectiveness. are doing. ethnic dimension to the conict. We solved the He added that HPC needs social support for The situation could be turned around, said problem by applying our methods and both activities related to contacting and negotiating Raee. “If the HPC makes serious efforts, it sides are now close friends,” said Shaqullah with opposition groups. could have remarkable achievements given the Niazi, a mineralogy and geology student. resources, capacity and tremendous backing The religious sections of civil society, such The two-semester programme consists of for national and international partners.” as the Ulema Council and other religious ten modules on peace-building, including most recently ones on “Peace and Islam” and “Gender and Human Rights”. Within the next three years, organizers plan to expand the programme to train an additional group of 24 lecturers who will teach the course to 1,500 students in six additional universities. To put their skills to use, students who graduate in the next three years will become members of Conict Management Committees under the Ministry of Higher Education’s Student Services Programme. The idea is that the students will create a network across the country, participating in social activities and sharing their youth perspective at national events. “We hope to foster a student led peace- building movement which engages with wider local and national peace-building initiatives,” Khalid said. The peace-building programme is implemented by Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, an Irish non-governmental Tribal elders meet in Herat. UNAMA/Fraidoon Poya organization (NGO), and Development and Peace in Canada. 8 Afghanistan and the United Nations Afghan youth mark Peace Day across the country

From sport to poetry competitions, a snapshot of International Day of Peace events supported by the United Nations

To mark Peace Day, ofcially on 21 September, in the Central Highlands Region, the Dai Kundi Peace Day Run and Celebration 2011 kicked off in the capital city of Nili with nearly a hundred youth – 20 of them girls – participating in the races. Dai Kundi Governor Qurban Ali Uruzgani blew the whistle to kick off the Peace Day Run that started at the newly built Nili Air Field and wound up at the Olympic Building grounds some 1.5 kilometers away. Supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Peace Day Run had three categories: boys 7-10 years-old, boys 11-15 years-old and girls 7-10 years-old. Nili city mayor Azra Jaffari, the only female mayor in Afghanistan, gave the starting signal for the girls’ run down the hill towards the nish line across the city’s government centre. Prizes were awarded to all the girls who ran and to the ve top runners in the boys’ groups. Laghman youth compete in a friendly football tournament. UNAMA/Alkausar Among the winners was 12-year-old Yaseen Sayed Husain, 22, traveled 10 hours from Some high school students in the Northern Tahir of Rubat village. He said he had heard Farashghan village in Alishang district - a Region are competing against each other to about the Peace Day Run on the radio and remote area near to the border with northern write an article on the theme of peace, while started walking from his home at dawn to reach Badakhshan province - to participate in this others are involved in theatre events and Nili, three hours away, in time for the race. tournament. races. In Bamyan, week-long football and volleyball “Our village is totally isolated and we seldom In the Northeastern Region, showcases of tournaments were held among about 500 high get the chance to take part in such activities. traditional poetry and music are underway school students. Some of the participating I, therefore, appreciate the organizers for in Faizabad, Baghlan, and in Talogan, with girls also took part in a painting exhibit on the inviting us to participate in this tournament,” support from the Takhar Department of theme of Peace Day organized in collaboration Husain said. Culture. with the local school board. Following the boys’ football tournament, A photo exhibit has been organized in Talogan, In the Eastern Region, young women and volleyball players at Haidarkhani Girls School while children at an orphanage in Kunduz are men from Laghman province kicked goals and played a friendly match. invited to a drawing competition. spiked balls in sports tournament organized by the Department of Youth with UNAMA’s Mina, the 11th grade captain of the volleyball In addition, a football match is being held assistance. team, said that she and her peers made an between teams from Kunduz and Takhar, and effort to be a part of peaceful activities because a volleyball tournament among elementary Four men’s teams from different districts of “our people need peace for development and and high school girls in Kunduz. Laghman province participated in the football prosperity.” tournament played in Mihtarlam City, the capital of the province. In addition to the sports games for Peace UN on Radio Day, youth in Laghman, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces are participating in a peace poetry Television reading, cricket matches, blood donation and a road clean-up campaign sponsored by Afghanistan (RTA) UNAMA and UNICEF. The United Nations produces weekly radio and In the Southeastern Region, high school television shows on a wide range of topics. students in Gardez are taking part in an essay Afghanistan Today (Afghanistan Emroz) writing competition and in volleyball games. is broadcast on the national broadcaster RTA Girls’ run in Dai Kundi. UNAMA/Aurora Alambra In the Southern Region, six high schools every Saturday at 9:05am on 105.2 AM. with around 3,000 students total in Kandahar The UN also co-produces two regular television are organizing theatre plays on the themes shows with RTA. of human rights and ending violence against women. CSA: Crime Scene Afghanistan (Dar Jostejoi In addition, hundreds of young boys are Haqayeq) is an award-winning crime and taking part in a week-long cricket tournament investigation series broadcast every Thursday at organized by the Kandahar Cricket Association, 9:00pm on RTA. and in volleyball tournaments organized for Mirror of the City (Aina-e-Shaher) is a current girls and boys in Nimroz province. events show that airs every Sunday at 9:00pm.

In the Western Region, around 200 girls are For more information: One of eight teams competing in the Peace Day cricket playing volleyball in a tournament organized http://www.unama.unmissions.org tournament in Kandahar. UNAMA/Mujeeb Rahman with the Herat Department of Education.

Published by: United Nations in Afghanistan Issue # 4 Contact: [email protected]