Preparing for Resource Extraction
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Preparing for Resource Extraction A learning guide for civil society in Afghanistan to support equitable & peaceful resource extraction In collaboration with Global Rights June 2014 © 2014 Afghanistan Watch. All rights reserved. First edition: June 2014 Cover photo: People of Sya Dara, Bamiyan province. Credit: Lien De Brouckere (Global Rights), November 2013. We encourage others to copy, reproduce or adapt to meet local needs any or all parts of this book, provided that the parts reproduced are attributed to the original publication and are distributed not-for-profit. Any organization or person who wishes to copy, reproduce, or adapt any or all parts of this book for commercial purposes must obtain permission from the publishers. About Afghanistan Watch Afghanistan Watch is an independent, non-governmental, non-political and leading Afghan civil society organization registered with the Ministry of National Economy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. It envisions a democratic, peaceful, tolerant and just society in which all citizens have equal opportunities to realize their human potentials. Its mission is to undertake activities that will promote peace, justice, and a culture of mutual tolerance and respect for human rights in Afghanistan. As its core values the organization is strongly committed to democracy, justice, human rights, sustainable and balanced social and economic development of the country and impartiality, independence and professionalism as guiding principles of its activities. About Global Rights: Partners for Justice Founded in 1978, Global Rights is a human rights organization working in partnership with local activists in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to build grass roots movements that promote and protect the rights of populations marginalized because of gender, ethnicity, race, socio- economic status, gender identity or disability. We are unique among organizations in this arena because our model works and builds impact from the broad base of society upwards, teaching and training coalitions, organizations and individuals with a participatory approach that fosters long-term transparency and sustainable change. Global Rights is distinctive in its grass roots approach that strengthens partners to document and expose human rights abuses, conduct community outreach and mobilization, advocate for legal and policy reform, and provide legal and paralegal services. Afghanistan Watch | Global Rights | Preparing for Resource Extraction i Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 2 Need for the Learning Guide ...................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................... 3 1 AFGHANISTAN’S NATURAL RESOURCE WEALTH ............................................ 5 Land .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Water ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 Minerals ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Mes Aynak................................................................................................................................................. 6 Hajigak ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 More areas of interest ............................................................................................................................... 7 Oil & Gas ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Amu Darya Basin ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Afghan-Tajik Basin .................................................................................................................................... 9 Sheberghan Gas ....................................................................................................................................... 9 TAPI Pipeline ............................................................................................................................................ 9 2 THE PLAYERS, THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .................................. 10 Government ............................................................................................................................................... 11 Central government ................................................................................................................................. 11 National Assembly .................................................................................................................................. 12 Provincial and local governments ........................................................................................................... 12 Non-state actors ...................................................................................................................................... 12 Foreign governments .............................................................................................................................. 13 States’ human rights obligations ............................................................................................................. 13 Implementers ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Mining and oil companies ........................................................................................................................ 14 Investors .................................................................................................................................................. 15 EIA and other consultants ....................................................................................................................... 16 Contractors and suppliers ....................................................................................................................... 16 Security companies ................................................................................................................................. 16 About companies generally ..................................................................................................................... 16 Afghanistan Watch | Global Rights | Preparing for Resource Extraction ii Affected Communities .............................................................................................................................. 19 Civil Society & Media ................................................................................................................................ 19 Civil society ............................................................................................................................................. 19 Media ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 3 PROCESS, IMPACTS AND BENEFITS ................................................................. 21 Process ...................................................................................................................................................... 21 Mining ...................................................................................................................................................... 21 Oil and gas .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Changes ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 Potential Impacts ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Land ........................................................................................................................................................ 28 Environment ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Security ................................................................................................................................................... 34 In-migration of people ............................................................................................................................. 35 Cultural sites ..........................................................................................................................................