UNHCR's ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES for ASSESSING the INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION NEEDS of AFGHAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS

UNHCR's ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES for ASSESSING the INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION NEEDS of AFGHAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS

UNHCR’s ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION NEEDS OF AFGHAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS The report is intended primarily for those involved in the asylum determination process, and concentrates on the issues most commonly raised in asylum claims lodged in various jurisdictions. The information contained does not purport to be either exhaustive with regard to conditions in the country surveyed nor conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. The inclusion of third party information or views in this report does not constitute an endorsement by UNHCR of this information or views. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Afghanistan December 2007 Table of Contents LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..............................................................................................................................5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................7 A. CURRENT SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN.....................................................................................................7 B. ASSESSING THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION NEEDS OF AFGHAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS ..............................7 1. Summary of main groups at risk..........................................................................................................8 2. Exclusion...........................................................................................................................................10 3. Additional Considerations .................................................................................................................11 4. Internal flight or relocation alternative ..............................................................................................11 5. Cessation due to change in circumstances.........................................................................................11 I. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................13 II. THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN .................................................................................................14 A. GENERAL BACKGROUND .........................................................................................................................14 B. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS.....................................................................................................................16 C. NATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK ..............................................................................................................19 1. The Constitution ................................................................................................................................19 D. STATE AND POLITICAL STRUCTURES .......................................................................................................19 1. Loya Jirga..........................................................................................................................................19 2. The President and Cabinet.................................................................................................................20 3. The National Assembly .....................................................................................................................20 4. Wolesi Jirga.......................................................................................................................................21 5. Meshrano Jirga ..................................................................................................................................22 6. Provincial Councils ...........................................................................................................................23 7. District Councils................................................................................................................................23 8. Political parties ..................................................................................................................................23 9. Parliamentary groups in the Wolesi Jirga..........................................................................................24 a) Estiqlal-e-Milli – National Independence Group...........................................................................................25 b) Nezarat-e-Milli – National Monitoring Group ..............................................................................................25 c) Taraqi Khwa – Pro-Progress Group ..............................................................................................................25 d) Khat-e-Seowom – Third Line Group.............................................................................................................25 e) Afghanistan ...................................................................................................................................................25 10. The electoral system..........................................................................................................................26 11. National commissions........................................................................................................................26 a) Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission............................................................26 b) Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission..................................................................................27 E. THE JUSTICE SYSTEM...............................................................................................................................27 1. The Supreme Court............................................................................................................................27 2. Courts of appeal.................................................................................................................................28 3. Primary courts ...................................................................................................................................28 4. The Attorney General ........................................................................................................................29 5. The Ministry of Justice......................................................................................................................29 6. Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms .......................................................................................31 F. MILITARY AND SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE...........................................................................................31 1. International Security Assistance Force ............................................................................................31 2. Provincial Reconstruction Teams......................................................................................................32 3. Afghan National Army ......................................................................................................................32 4. Afghan National Police .....................................................................................................................33 5. Afghan National Auxiliary Police Program.......................................................................................33 2 G. THE SECURITY SITUATION .......................................................................................................................34 1. Armed conflict and civilian casualties...............................................................................................35 2. Disarmament of illegal armed groups................................................................................................37 3. Mines and unexploded ordnances......................................................................................................38 H. THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION ..............................................................................................................38 1. The national and international legal framework ................................................................................38 2. Freedom of expression.......................................................................................................................40 3. Freedom of religion ...........................................................................................................................41 4. The situation of women and girls ......................................................................................................43 5. Access to justice ................................................................................................................................47 6. Detention ...........................................................................................................................................48 7. Transitional justice ............................................................................................................................48 8. National Peace and Reconciliation Charter .......................................................................................49 I. THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND HUMANITARIAN SITUATION .........................................................................49 1. Food security .....................................................................................................................................50

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