UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE DATE: 24/02/03 PROVINCE: Ghazni Geo-code 06 DISTRICT: Malistan Goe-code 606 Population 1990: 56,117 individuals CURRENT ESTIMATED POPULATION Total Returned IDPs Recent Returnees IDPs Children under Female Households 2002/2003 12 (assisted) 100,000 81 families 710 families/ 45fam/270 ind. 46,000 907 (0.9%) according to individuals (not assisted) 1,018 individuals (source: Villages’ Representatives MORR Ghazni) ETHNIC COMPOSITION: 100% Hazara EXPECTED RETURNS IDPS 265 families RETURNEES 1,280 families AUTHORITY Head Of District: Self-appointed authorities rule the district: - Military Commander: Commander Abdul Hakim Nassiri - Head of district: Haji Mahdawi Ghi Khan Other Information: Since the fall of the Taliban’s regime, Malistan district has been led by a People’s Shura and a Security Shura, backing self-appointed authorities. The district is under political and military control of Nasr faction, affiliated to Hezb-e-Wahdat (Khalili). The self- appointed authorities having strongly resisted the appointment of the official District Administrator in September 2002, arguing that the new appointee, Pashtun from neighbouring Ajristan, where he was previously acting as Head of the district, belonged to Hezb-e-Islami and had killed many Hazara under Taliban regime. It was explained to FO that male inhabitants, convoked by village’s elders and Mullahs had selected representatives of main villages. The People’s Shura [Mardoumi Shura] is composed of 30 members, 6 of whom are also members of Security Shura [Fawj Shura]. Qazi Haji Mahdawi Ghi Khan chairs the People’s Shura. The People’s Shura works in close co-operation with Security Shura, which is composed of 6 commanders. Its head is Commander Abdul Hakim Nassiri, Nasr faction. Under his supervision are 150 men (Nizami, militians). The People’s Shura, who counts 4 judges (Qazi) among its members, is theoretically solving legal cases and disputes, taking decision at the majority of the members present, and using Sharia (Fiq – Jafari jurisprudence) if the nature of the case is too difficult. Should the concerned wishes to appeal the decisions, the case can be transferred to Ghazni’s provincial court (Mahkama Mura’fi’a). However, local population is reluctant to bring any case to the knowledge of the authorities, fearing they might take advantage of a dispute to extort money or other valuables from them. The local population report that collectively, the self-appointed authorities and the armed elements are responsible for preventing the rule of law, protecting their own interests, and harassing people under the pretext of disarmament or presumed support to previous Governments. It appears that their misconduct is more dicted by an appetite for power and money than based on political motives. However, FO collected reports that ex-members of Nasr faction, or of perceived rival organisations - Harakat (Muhseni), Hezb-e-Wahdat (Aqbari) – are intimidated, harassed and submitted to severe abuses. According to self-appointed authorities, the district is represented in Ghazni’s provincial Shura by three persons, namely Mohaqiq, Halaqi and Rahmat Poohan. These individuals, who have represented the district since Mujahidin’s regime, have not been selected by Malistan’s people. GENERAL SITUATION Malistan, located 7 hours and a half’sdrive from Ghazni centre, is a mountainous district bordered by Ajristan to the north, Nawur to the North East, Uruzgan province to the Southwest and Jaghori district to the South. The district is one of the largest in terms of surface area and, under Mujahidin’s regime (1992-1996), was divided in four distinct regions. An estimated population of 16,000 families is distributed among 9 dangs (regions): Amal, 3000 families; Khorda Zayada, 2000 families; Maknak, 2000 families; Dalla, 1000 families, Mir-a-Dina, 1500 families; Zardak, 1000 families; Pashia, 3000 families; Kamarak, 1500 families; Sheer Dagh, 1000 families. The main tribes in Malistan are: Khordak Zaida, Molqi, Ahamd and Mirid. At the end of July 2002, the district planned to finalise the physical head counting of its population, as a preparation for the planned carving of Malistan district into four distinct districts. The local authorities expressed their belief that they can gain more support from central Government, as well as financial support from donors with this division into four regions. This decision would primarily have the effect of increasing the number of Hazara majority districts and, thus giving more Hazaras representatives at central and provincial institutions. However, the division has not been implemented yet, even though a Security Shura has been set up in Shine-De, which was said to become the capital of Malistan 1. To date, politically and administratively, Malistan remains one district. One of Malistan’s selected Representatives to the Emergency Loya Jirga was a woman. There is no other example of woman having an influential position in the district. Malistan is one of the three districts of Ghazni province, exclusively populated and ruled by Hazara ethnics. It is also one of those where self-appointed authorities – warlords belonging to Nasr faction- resist the rule of central and provincial administrations. In September 2002, an attempt from central and provincial authorities to bring the district under the rule of law – through the appointment of a formal District Administrator failed, with the new appointee being threatened of death on his way to the district’s capital. Self-appointed authorities opened fire on the crowd that had gathered around the building of the District Administrator to welcome him, and imprison persons on fabricated charges, notably participation with Talibans. People were released after a couple of days. Through field missions in the district, UNHCR FO Ghazni perceived the exasperation and resentment of the population, which openly stated they prayed for a change of authorities and would welcome any official appointee, a different ethnic origin being viewed as a guarantee that the current abuses of the warlords would come to an end. The strongman of the district, even though not physically present is Commander Irfani, warlord native of neighbouring Jaghori district, from where he has overall military control over Malistan. Irfani is a leading local figure of Hezb-e-Wahdat (Khalili) and has been leading the movement in Malistan and Jaghori for almost two decades. Abuses committed by his followers and people closely associated to the self-appointed authorities in Malistan, have led to small scale displacement to Ghazni, mostly during summer 2002, and concerned primarily men perceived as opponents. UNHCR FO Ghazni collected through various sources reports (last mission in September 2002) of widespread abuses, notably concentrated around Maknak, Pashai, Balakh San, Dadi and Bella Ghu areas. Incidents reported were under the pretext of disarmament, or perceived opposition, extortion of significant amounts of money (up to three million old Afghani), arrest of people who could not pay, and release upon payment of the requested amounts. Moreover, reports of kidnapping and forced marriages of women were reported to take place, especially in Dadi and Bella Ghu areas. Interviews conducted by UNHCR FO Ghazni reveal that anyone perceived as being a little better off than the rest of the population is a potential target for extortion and abuses. Authorities at provincial and central levels have been informed by the victims of these exactions, and promised solutions to put an end to these abuses. However, no improvement has yet been observed in the district, given the fact that the remedy to these problems lies probably at the central level. It is UNHCR FO Ghazni’s understanding that the three Hazara districts of Ghazni province - Malistan, Nawur and Jaghori – which shares similar political and military backgrounds, have been requested by Central Administration to select among themselves, leaders which would receive the approval of the population. The process is on going, and should be confirmed by the approval of the provincial Governor. On the economic side, even though Malistan seems to be less affected than its neighbour –Jaghori- by the four-year drought, its population, of which 60% depends on agriculture and (10%) animal husbandry is suffering from the effects of lack of irrigation and drinking water. The district is affected by the drought to different degrees of severity: 1. Dry areas: Qoshang, Godal, Shir Dagh, Pashi, Maknak, Balkhsan, Boghra, Al Qabalan. 2. Semi-dry areas: Moqli, Abdana, Qoul Adan, Pol Hadi, Qoali Khoshi, Newdeh. 3. Not affected areas: Lalchak, Jemboud, Robat, Pashsha Khana, Belougho, Dahlah. The lumber industry (shinar quality) is also affected by the drought, and villagers are selling their wood at very low prices, anticipating a continuation of the drought, and further destruction of their crop. Many families live on the remittances sent by family members living abroad. Overall, the district has a serious lack of medical and health facilities, worsened by its remote location from other neighbouring districts and provincial capital. Priority sectors as defined by local representatives and villagers are: 1. Water (irrigation & drinking) 2. Education 3. Health SECTORAL INFORMATION SHELTER: Percentage and the number of houses destroyed: 528 (3.3%) Housing Situation of Returning Population : Host families and own homes partially damaged. Comments: Mud-built homes. Stone, wooden beams, mud bricks, and glass are available in Malistan. Cement has to be purchased in Jaghori or Ghazni city. Some of the houses have been partially damaged and are in disrepair. WATER: Type of Potable Water Sources and Karezes, springs, rivers (Qocha Nak and Dota), the Distance: shallow wells. However, these sources are seriously affected by the lack of snow and rain for the last four years. Average distance to water: 2 to 3 km Availability of Potable water (%): 48.8% Sanitation and Drainage: Traditional systems and complete absence of evacuation system. Comments: Poor sanitation conditions. On a general note, houses have no baths and toilets have no drainage system.