AfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganization

Instability,ConflictandFundamentalRights:LessonsLearnedfromAfghanistanRightsMonitor

September2017ProjectReport

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AcknowledgementsThisreportwasmadepossiblethroughfundingfromMinistryofForeignAffairs,TheNetherlands.TairahFirdous,DanaHolland,SaeedParto,andEhsanSaadatauthoredthisreport.AboutAfghanistanRightsMonitorAfghanistanRightsMonitor(ARM)wasdesignedtomeetthefollowingobjectives:

1. RegularmonitoringofthecurrentconditionsoffundamentalrightsinAfghanistanusingasetofindicatorsbasedoninternationallyrecognizedstandardsformonitoringCivic,SocialandEconomicrights.

2. Informed,pragmatic,andconstructiveadvocacymessagingonfundamentalrightsneeds,basedonempiricaldata,anddeliveredbycivilsocietyactors

3. IncreasedcapacityandresponsivenessofpublicinstitutionstofundamentalrightsneedsofAfghancitizens

Theaboveobjectivesareexpectedtocontributetogoodgovernancepracticesthroughinformedandconstructiveengagementbetweencivilsocietyandgovernmentbasedonappliedresearch,capacitydevelopment,andadvocacyaimedatnationalandinternationalstakeholders.FormoreinformationonARM,see:www.nac-pp.netAboutAPPROAfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganization(APPRO)isanindependentsocialresearchorganizationwithamandatetopromotesocialandpolicylearningtobenefitdevelopmentandreconstructioneffortsinAfghanistanandotherlessdevelopedcountriesthroughconductingsocialscientificresearch,monitoringandevaluation,andtrainingandmentoring.APPROisregisteredwiththeMinistryofEconomyinAfghanistanasanon-profitnon-governmentorganizationandheadquarteredinKabul,AfghanistanwithofficesinMazar-eSharif(north),Herat(west),Kandahar(south),Jalalabad(east),andBamyan(center).APPROisafoundingmemberofAPPRO-Europe,registeredinBelgium.Formoreinformation,see:www.appro.org.afandwww.appro-europe.netContact:mail@appro.org.afCoverphoto:OrianeZerahAPPROtakesfullresponsibilityforallomissionsanderrors.©2017.AfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganization.Somerightsreserved.Thispublicationmaybestoredinaretrievalsystemortransmittedonlyfornon-commercialpurposesandwithwrittencredittoAPPROandlinkstoAPPRO’swebsiteatwww.appro.org.af.Anyotheruseofthispublicationrequirespriorwrittenpermission,whichmaybeobtainedbywritingto:mail@appro.org.af

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TableofContents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5

AboutARM............................................................................................................................. 6ARMComponents............................................................................................................................ 7Scope............................................................................................................................................... 7

ARMOutputs.......................................................................................................................... 9Output1:Publications(Component1) ............................................................................................. 9Output2:DedicatedWebsiteforARM............................................................................................. 9Output3:Dissemination(Component1).......................................................................................... 9Output4:Cross-certifiedProfessionalTraining(Components2and3) ........................................... 10Output5:AlumniMeetingsofGraduates(Component2and3) ..................................................... 10Output6:State-civilSocietyRelationsonFundamentalRights(Components2and3) ................... 10Output7:APPRO’sManagementSystemReorganization(Component4) ...................................... 10

SynthesisofKeyFindingsfromARM..................................................................................... 11CivicRights .................................................................................................................................... 11

RighttoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson.........................................................................11RighttoaFairTrial .............................................................................................................................12Children’sRights ................................................................................................................................12RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs ..................................................................................................13RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression ....................................................................................14

SocialRights .................................................................................................................................. 14RighttoHealth ...................................................................................................................................14RighttoBasicServices .......................................................................................................................15FoodSecurity .....................................................................................................................................16RighttoEducation..............................................................................................................................16FamilyRights ......................................................................................................................................17

EconomicRights............................................................................................................................. 18CrosscuttingThemes...................................................................................................................... 18

GenderRelations ...............................................................................................................................18Corruption..........................................................................................................................................19AidModalities:DevelopmentVs.HumanitarianAid .........................................................................19

State-CivilSocietyCapacityBuildingOutcomes..................................................................... 20ProfessionalTraining ..................................................................................................................... 20MentoringSessions ....................................................................................................................... 20InternationalConsultationWorkshop ............................................................................................ 21NationalAdvocacyCommitteeforPublicPolicy ............................................................................. 22

ChallengesandWaysForward .............................................................................................. 23Challenges ..................................................................................................................................... 23WaysForward................................................................................................................................ 24

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Introduction

HumanrightshavebeenamajorfeatureofreconstructionanddevelopmentprogramminginAfghanistansince2001.TheConstitutionofAfghanistan(2004)guaranteesAfghancitizensspecificrightswhiletheGovernmentofAfghanistanhasbecomesignatorytonumeroushumanrightstreaties.Thereisgeneraladmissionandrecognition,however,thatprogresstowardsadvancinghumanrightsinAfghanistanhasbeenslow,particularlyinsuchareasasviolenceagainstwomen,mistreatmentofchildren,rightsviolationsbysecurityforces,anti-corruption,unaccountabilityofformalauthorities,neglectofprotractedlydisplacedpersons,limitationsinfreedomofspeechandpersecutionofdissent,andongoingimpunityforformerhumanrightsviolators,amongothers.Weakgovernancemechanisms,inadequateaccesstoformaljustice,corruptionintheformaljusticesystem,insufficientinstitutionalizationofvariousprotectivelaws,chroniclackofsecurity,andgapsinknowledgeonrightsviolationshavebeenpointedtoasthemaindriversofAfghanistan’sfailuretomeetitshumanrightsobligations.Thegainsmadesince2001,particularlyinwomen’srights,areincreasinglyunderthreatwitharesurgenceofviolenceinmanypartsofthecountry.DuringOctober5-6,2016,theEuropeanUnionandtheGovernmentofAfghanistanco-hostedtheBrusselsConferenceonAfghanistan,bringingtogether75countriesand26internationalorganizationsandagencies.TheinternationalrepresentativesendorsedanambitiousreformagendapresentedbytheAfghangovernment,andcommittedtocontinueeffortstomeetearliercommitmentsmadeintheTokyoDeclarationandreaffirmedattheLondonConferencein2014.AttheBrusselsConferencetherewasalsounanimitythatalthoughnumeroussignificantgainshadbeenmadesince2001,substantialchallengesremainedinsafeguardingandbuildingonthesegains,particularlygiventhecontinuousdeteriorationinsecurity.ThesecuritysituationinAfghanistanremainedcriticalin2016withincreasedfightingbetweengovernmentsecurityforcesandarmedoppositiongroups(AOGs).ThefallofKunduztotheTalibanforthesecondtimeinayearhasbeenacauseforconcernaswellasastrongindicatorofheightenedinsecurity.AddingtotheseconcernshasbeentheemergenceoftheAfghanchapteroftheso-called“IslamicState”,orDaesh,inNangarharprovince.1Accordingtosomesources,insurgencywasmorewidespreadinAfghanistantowardtheendof2016thanatanypointintimesincethefalloftheTalibanin2001.2In2016,theUnitedNationsAssistanceMissioninAfghanistan(UNAMA)documented11,418civiliancasualties,athreepercentincreaseonthepreviousrecordhighdocumentedin2015.Attackstargetingpeacefuldemonstrations,educationalfacilities,judicialandmediaworkers,populatedurbanareassuchasbazaars,andreligiousplacesofworshipincreasedinthethirdquarterof2016.OnJuly23,2016Daesh(ISIS)carriedoutasuicideattackinKabulagainstpeacefulHazarademonstrators,killing85andinjuring413.Therewereattackstargetinghealthcareandeducationalfacilitiesandhumanitarianaidproviderssuchasde-minersandpoliovaccinators.Therewere75attackstargetingeducational

1See,forexample,SecurityCouncilReport,“March2016MonthlyForecast”,availablefrom:http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2016-06/afghanistan_17.php

2NewYorkTimes(October2016),availablefrom:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/12/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-united-nations.html?_r=0

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institutions,killing13andinjuring48individuals.3Addingtothesepressureshasbeentheunprecedentedlyhighnumberofreturneesfromneighboringcountries.AreportbytheInternationalOrganizationforMigrationinfirstquarterof2017citedthereturnof157,124undocumentedreturneesfromIranandPakistan.TheseundocumentedAfghanshavereturnedduetodiversepushfactorsincludingthedeteriorationofprotectionmechanismsinhostcountries.Thisfigurerepresentsasignificantlyhigherrateofreturnthaninpreviousyears.MostofthosereturninghavelivedoutsideAfghanistanfordecades,needingspecificsupportfromthegovernmentandhumanitarianaidorganizationsbothonarrivalandastheyseektoresettleandintegrate.4ThehumanrightsgainsmadeinAfghanistansince2001areincreasinglyunderthreatwitharesurgenceofviolence,aweakeningeconomy,politicaluncertainty,andtheprospectofprogressivelylessfinancialandotherformsofassistancefromtheinternationaldonorcommunity.Atthesametime,thereremainsignificantgapsinknowledgeonhowtherapidlyevolvingsituationinAfghanistanaffectsfundamentalrightssuchasaccesstoadequatefood,shelter,education,health,andequitablejusticeforvastswathesofthepopulationthroughoutthecountry,particularlythedisplaced,women,andchildrenasthemostvulnerable.

AboutARM

Theproject,“AfghanistanRightsMonitor”(ARM)wasdesignedtotakestockoftheconditionsoffundamentalrightsandregularlymonitorandreportontheimpactofconflictanduncertaintyonfundamentalrightstoinformpolicymakingandinterventiononhumanitariananddevelopmentaid.ARMhasthefollowingobjectives:1. RegularlymonitorchangesinfundamentalrightsinAfghanistanusingasetofindicatorsbasedon

internationallyrecognizedstandardsformonitoringCivic,SocialandEconomicrights.2. Generateinformed,pragmatic,andconstructiveadvocacymessagingonfundamentalrights,based

onempiricaldata,anddeliveredbycivilsocietyactors.3. Increasethecapacityandresponsivenessofpublicinstitutionstofundamentalrightsneedsof

Afghancitizens.TherationalefordesigningandimplementingARMconsistedofthefollowingconsiderations.First,Afghanistan’slegislativeprovisions,thoughnecessary,arenotsufficientforprotectingandpromotingfundamentalrightsinAfghanistan.Second,thereisanurgentneedtocomplementconstitutionalandlegalprovisionswithongoingmonitoringinformation,publicdiscourse,capacitydevelopment,andadvocacytoensurethatthelegislativeprovisionsareadheredto.Third,anecessarycomponentforreconcilingrightsaccordingtothelawandrightsinpracticeistheroleofcivilsocietyandrightsorganizationsincreatingthecruciallinkagebetweenthestate’sregulatoryprovisionsandthe3UNAMA(2017).AnnualReport,ProtectionofCiviliansinConflict,availablefrom:https://unama.unmissions.org/release-unama%E2%80%99s-2016-annual-report-protection-civilians-armed-conflict

4IOM(2017).ReturnofUndocumentedAfghans,availablefrom:https://afghanistan.iom.int/sites/default/files/Reports/iom_return_of_undocumented_afghans_weekly_situation_report_july_2-8.pdf

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fundamentalrightsofthegeneralpopulation.Fourth,wheninplace,thislinkageislikelytosetinmotionaprocessofinstitutionalizationoffundamentalrightsprotectioninAfghanistandrivenbyongoing,evidence-basedinterfacebetweencivilsocietyandstateauthorities.ThisreportprovidesasynthesisofactivitiesundertheARMprojectfromNovember2015toMarch2017.ThenextsectionprovidesabriefoverviewofARManditscomponents,followedbyasynthesisofthekeyfindingsbasedonongoingmonitoring,in-depthresearch,consultationworkshops,anddisseminationactivities.

ARMComponents

ARMisimplementedthroughthreeinter-relatedcomponentsasfollows:Component1:Regularlymonitorchangesinfundamentalrightsin10provinces(29districts)inAfghanistanfromthebaselineconditionsasoftheendof2015,conductin-depththematicresearchonissuesthatcometolightduringthemonitoring,andcompileannualsynthesesbasedonthefindingsfromthemonitoringandrelatedresearch.5Component2:Buildthecapacityofcivilsocietyactorsforevidence-basedadvocacyonfundamentalrightsthroughtailor-madetrainingandregularmentoringandfollowup.Component3:Buildthecapacityofstateauthoritiesinreceivingadvocacymessagingfromcivilsocietyanddevelopingresponsive,evidence-basedpoliciestoprotectandpromotefundamentalrightsinAfghanistan.AfourthcomponentofARMwastobuildAPPRO’sinternalorganizationalcapacitythroughimprovedandstandardizedpracticesandproceduresforfinancialandadministrativemanagement.6Inmeetingthisobjective,APPROandAPPRO-Europeareregistered,arereporton,theInternationalAidTransparencyInitiative(IATI),withoperationalandfinancialdatabeingmadeavailablethroughIATIandAPPROandAPPRO-Europewebsites.7

Scope

Twenty-ninedistrictsin10provinceshavebeenmonitoredsincethelastquarterof2015.TheprovincesareKabul,Bamyan,Daikundi,Balkh,Kunduz,Nangarhar,Khost,Kandahar,Nimruz,andHerat(Table1).Theselectionoftheseprovincesisbasedontheexistenceofanactivecivilsociety,strongsocialandtribalnetworks,and/ordonorfocus.8MajorpopulationcenterssuchasKabulCity,Mazar-eSharif(Balkh),Jalalabad(Nangarhar),KandaharCity,andHeratCityarehosttothebulkofcivilsocietyactivityoncivicandfundamentalrightsissues.Thesecentersarethereforelikelytobethemostactivesitesofcontestationsaboutfundamentalrights.5SeeAppendix1forthelistofprovincesanddistricts.SeeAppendix2forthelistofindicatorsfinalizedbasedonthebaselineassessmentandusedinsubsequentmonitoringrounds.

6Component4wasaddedtothisprojecttoaddressthefindingsofaCodesofConductAssessmentofAPPROinJune2015attherequestoftheRoyalNetherlandsEmbassyinAfghanistan.

7FormoreinformationonIATI,see:http://www.aidtransparency.net/.ForAPPRO’sreportingtoIATI,see:http://appro.org.af/data-transparency/.

8Forexample,KunduzisincludedbasedonpressingneedsidentifiedthroughtheMonitoringWomeninSecurityTransition,conductedbyAPPROfromSeptember2012toDecember2014,presenceofanactivecivilsociety,andbeingapriorityprovincefortheDutchEmbassyinAfghanistan.

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TheadditionofKunduz,Khost,andNimruzprovidea“counterfactual”tothesituationsinthemajorpopulationcenters.KhostandNimruz,inparticular,havemaintainedmuchoftheirtribalstructures,offeringopportunitiesforinsightsintotheinterfacebetweenmodernandtraditionalviewsonruleoflaw,humanrights,andwhetherandhowtraditionalstructuresareconsistentwithhumanrights.Conversely,therationalefortheselectionofKunduzisitsincreasingstateofpolitical,socialandeconomiccrisis,withloosesocialandtribalstructuresweakenedbytheinfluenceofpowerholdersandintensifyinginsurgentactivities.Similarly,DaikundiandBamyanarecharacterizedashavingrelativelyactivecivilsocietiesincludingsocialnetworksthatcouldserveasplatformsonwhichtolaunchinnovativeinterventionstofurtherstrengthencivilsocietyandincreasetheaccountabilityofgovernmentinprotectingandpromotingfundamentalrights.Table1:BreakdownofProvincesandDistrictsBalkh(Mazar-e-Sharif,Khulm,Balkh) Kandahar(Kandahar,Arghandab,Daman)Bamyan(BamyanCenter,Shibar,Yakawlang) Khost(KhostMatun,Terezayi,Mandozayi)Daikundi(Nili,Shahristan) Kunduz(KunduzCity,ImamSahib,Aliabad)Herat(Herat,Kohsan,Guzara) Nangarhar(Jalalabad,Kama,Surkhrod)Kabul(Kabul,KhakJabbar,Istalif) Nimruz(Zaranj,Chakhansur,ChaharBurjak)Total 10Provinces,29Districts

Dataformonitoringwerecollectedfromthefollowinglocationsandsources.Provincialcenters:

• Workingmen,includingmaliksandcommunityelders(council/jirgamembers)• Workingwomen,inparticularteachersandEPDprovincialwomennetworkmembers• Representativesofyouth-focusedCSOs• RepresentativesOnewomanCSO• Representativesofmediaorganization/journalists• RepresentativesofAIHRC• Meninvolvedinpolitics

Districts:

• Workingmen,includingmaliksandcommunityelders(council/jirgamembers)• Workingwomen,includingthoseingovernmentservice,workingforNGOs,etc.• Communityleaders• Influentialwomen• RepresentativesoftheHuqooqDepartment

Foreachmonitoringroundbetween550and700individualswereengagedacrossthetenprovinces.Thisrangeincludesaround50-70femalesand70-90maleswhowereinterviewedaskeyinformantsandaround230-280femalesand200-260maleswhoparticipatedinfocusgroupdiscussions.Thenumberandtypeofindividualsengagedfordatacollectionforthethematicissuepapersvariedaccordingtotheresearchtopicandscope.

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ARMOutputs

Output1:Publications(Component1)

During2016,ARMproducedabaselinereporttoestablishthestateoffundamentalrightsinAfghanistan,followedbythreemonthlymonitoringreportstotrackchangesovertime.Alsoin2016threecasestudiesandtwocomparativecountrystudieswereundertaken.ThefirstcasestudywasacriticalassessmentoftheconceptualizationsandimplementationofhumanrightsinAfghanistan.Thesecondcasestudyexaminedtheroleoftraditionalstructuressuchasmosquesineffortstoaddressfoodsecurity.ThethirdcasestudyfocusedontheimpactofmigrationonAfghans’perceptionsoffundamentalrights.Thefirstcomparativeresearchpaperexaminedstate-civilsocietyrelationsonfundamentalrightsinSouthAfricawhilethesecondcomparativeresearchpaperfocusedontheimpactofviolentconflictonfundamentalrightsinKashmir(India).9InpreparationfortheBrusselsConferenceinearlyOctober2016,APPROpreparedanumberofbriefingpapersbasedontheresearchforARMandotherprojects.ThreeofthesebriefingpaperswerebaseddirectlyonthefindingsfromtheARMprojectonthetopicsoffoodsecurity,childlabor,andmisperceptionsofhumanrights.10

Output2:DedicatedWebsiteforARM

ARMhasadedicatedpageonthewebsiteofNationalAdvocacyCommitteeforPublicPolicy(NAC-PP)fordisseminationofinformationinsupportofadvocacyforfundamentalrights.11NAC-PP,asapre-existingforumandonewithalong-termmandate,providesadedicatedplatformforadvocacyforARMwhilebecomingmoreestablishedonthestrengthofARM-relatedactivities.

Output3:Dissemination(Component1)

Anumberofdisseminationeventswereorganizedin2016andearly2017tosharethefindingsfrommonitoringandthematicresearchforARM.WhileAPPROwassuccessfulinorganizinganumberofdisseminationevents,securityconstraintsseverelylimitedattendancebygovernmentofficialsandmembersofinternationalentitiesattheseevents.DisseminationeventshostedatAPPRO’sofficeinKabul,whilewellattended,lackedsubstantivepresencefromgovernmentandinternationalorganizations.DespitethesechallengesseveralactivitieswereundertakenbyAPPROduringthefirstyearofARMtodisseminatefindings,including:1. PresentationoffindingsfromtheARMBaselineAssessmentattheDutchEmbassy(June05,2016).2. Presentationon“ConflictandFundamentalRightsinAfghanistan”includingfindingsfromtheSouth

AfricaandKashmircasestudiesattheAfghanistanCenteratKabulUniversity(August23,2016).3. Disseminationofpolicybriefsonfoodsecurity,childlaborandperceptionsofhumanrightsin

AfghanistanattheBrusselsConference(October6,2016).4. PresentationoffindingsfromtheARMBaselineAssessmentandMonitoringReportsataworkshop

9Allthesereportsareavailablethrough:http://appro.org.af/?post_type=publication10Thebriefsareavailablethrough:http://appro.org.af/category/briefs/11See:http://www.nac-pp.net/category/afghanistan-right-monitor/

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organizedinDubaibyAPPROasafollowuptothecommitmentsoftheBrusselsConference(January14,2017)

5. PresentationofARMfindingsattheSwedishEmbassyinKabul(February14,2017)6. PresentationofARMfindingsattheEuropeanUnion–AfghanistaninKabul(February23,2017)7. PresentationonchangesinfundamentalrightsinAfghanistanattheAfghanistanCenteratKabul

University(February28,2017).8. PresentationoffindingsfromARMmonitoringinHerat(March15,2017)WiderdisseminationisplannedtobeintensifiedinAfghanistanandinternationallythroughAPPRO-EuropebyapproachingthegovernmentandinternationalentitiestohostAPPRO’sdisseminationevents.

Output4:Cross-certifiedProfessionalTraining(Components2and3)

Twentysixcandidateswereadmittedtothefirstroundoftrainingon“PolicyandInstitutionalAnalysis”,across-certifiedcourseinpartnershipwithGhentUniversity,Belgium.TwelvecandidatesfromgovernmententitiesandcivilsocietyorganizationssuccessfullycompletedcourserequirementsandwereawardedcertificatesofcompletionbyGhentUniversityworth4ECTS(EuropeanCreditTransferSystem)credits.

Output5:AlumniMeetingsofGraduates(Component2and3)

AnalumnimeetingwasorganizedforthegraduatesandparticipantsofthefirstroundofcertifiedtraininginDecember2016.Additionalandmorefrequentalumnimeetingsareplannedfor2017and2018.

Output6:State-civilSocietyRelationsonFundamentalRights(Components2and3)

BrusselsConferenceonAfghanistanheldonOctober06,2016,coincidedwiththecompletionofthefirstyearoftheARMproject.WithreferencetothefundamentalrightscommitmentsmadeattheConferenceandthefindingsfromthefirstyearoftheARMmonitoring,APPROorganizedaconsultationworkshopinDubaiduringJanuary14-15,2017tobringtogetherrepresentativesfromcivilsocietyandgovernmentinstitutionstodiscussprogresstowardmeetingfundamentalrightsobligations,challenges,andpathwaysforward.Theworkshopwasaimedatdevelopingaroadmap,throughclosecollaborationbetweengovernmentandcivilsocietyrepresentative,forincreasedcoordinationamongdifferentstakeholdersinAfghanistantoachievetherights-relatedgoalssetattheBrusselsConference.

Output7:APPRO’sManagementSystemReorganization(Component4)

Component4oftheARMprojectistoensurethatAPPROhaspermanent,adequate,andstandardizedfinancialandadministrativemanagementsystemsandpracticesinlinewithinternationalstandards.AspartofthiscomponentAPPROandAPPRO-Europehavebeenregistered,andreportthrough,theInternationalAidTransparencyInitiative(IATI).1212Formoreinformation,see:http://www.aidtransparency.net/

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SynthesisofKeyFindingsfromARM

Thissectionprovidesanintegratedsynthesisofthefindingsfromresearchandmonitoringinvolving550-700individualsasintervieweesoveraperiod15months,fromJanuary2016toMarch2017.Thechoiceofphrasessuchas“appearsto”and“issaidto”inmanyofthereportedfindingsisdeliberatesincethenumberofindividualsengagedfordatacollectionduringthevariousmonitoringandresearchactivitiesisstatisticallynotsignificant,despiteringingtrueinallcases.

CivicRights

RighttoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

Attheendof2015theoverallsecuritysituationwasconsideredasadequatebythosesurveyedinthetenprovinces(Table1)exceptinthecasesofKunduzandNangarhar.Withsomeimportantqualifications,therewasgeneralsatisfactionwiththebehaviorAfghanNationalPolice(ANP)anditsroleinmaintainingsecurity.13Byendof2016thedeterioratingsecurityconditionsinsomeoftheprovinceswasbecomingamajorconcernformanywithadirectimpactoncitizens’fundamentalrights.ThesecuritysituationcontinuedtodeteriorateinBalkh,Bamyan,Daikundi,Herat,Kabul,KunduzandNangarhar.Mostdramatically,KunduzfelltotheTalibanforthesecondtimeinayearandthedistrictsinNangarharborderingPakistanexperiencedintensifiedfightingbetweenthegovernmentandAOGs,causingforceddisplacementintheseareas.Kabulexperiencedincreasesinsuicideattacks,explosionsandabductions.Herat,Kabul,andNangarharalsowitnessedincreasesinpoliticalconflicts.ThegrowinginfluenceoftheTalibanandotherarmedgroupswasthemaindriverofinsecurityintheseprovinces.Thein-depthresearchconductedontheimpactsofhighlevelsofconflictoncivillibertiesandtherightsofindividualsinKashmir(India)findsthatlibertiesandrightsofindividualsaretheimmediatecasualtiesofheightenedconflictwithsevererestrictionsonmovementandaccesstobasicamenities.AstheconflictflaredupinKashmirinthesecondhalfof2016,citizensbegantoliveinastateofsiege,underastrictcurfewwithlimitedaccesstobasicfacilitiessuchasfoodandmedicineandclosedschools.14InAfghanistan,thevariouslocalizedconflictsneverbecameasintenseorprolongedastheconflictinKashmir.Thefindingsfromthemonitoringcyclesin2016andpreliminarydatafromthefirstquarterof2017actuallyindicatesomeimprovementsintheinteractionsbetweenthesecurityforcesandthepublicwiththeexceptionofHerat,Nangarhar,KunduzandNimruz.Thepositivechangeisattributedtothechangeinthelocalleadershipofthepolice,replacementofcorruptofficialsandeducationaltrainingsforthesecurityforces.15

13APPRO(2016a).AfghanistanRightsMonitor:BaselineAssessment,availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/04/afghanistan-rights-monitor-baseline-assessment/

14APPRO(2016b).State-CivilSocietyRelation:FundamentalRightsinKashmir(India),availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/08/state-civil-society-relations-fundamental-rights-in-kashmir-india/

15APPRO(2016c).AfghanistanRightsMonitor:MonitoringCycles1,2,and3,availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/05/afghanistan-rights-monitor-monitoring-cycle-1/,

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RighttoaFairTrial

Ahostofproblemsremainassociatedwiththeformalandtraditionaljusticesystemsincludingfavoritismandcorruption.Officialsoftheformaljusticesystemareoftensubjecttoexternalinterference,pressure,orthreatsbypowerholdersincludingarmedmilitiasandgovernmentofficials.Thetraditionalsystemisviewedasgenerallylesscorruptandmoreefficientinexpeditingrulings.However,decisionsmadethroughthetraditionaljusticesystemareoftenbasedoninsufficientformallegalknowledgeand/orarbitraryinterpretationsofsharialaw.Bothsystemsarechargedwithdiscriminationagainstthefewwomenwhodaretakingtheircasesoutsidethehomeandthetraditionalcommunitystructuresforresolution.Thereisconsiderableinteractionbetweentheformalandtraditionaljusticesystems.Thepoliceandformalcourtsrefersomecasestothetraditionalsystemwhilecasesthatcannotberesolvedthroughthetraditionalmechanismsmaybereferredtotheformaljusticesystem.16Administrativereform,increaseinthenumberofformaljusticestructuresandorganizations,andenhancedpublicawarenessoflegalrightshaveresultedinimprovementsintheformallegalprocessinBalkh,Daikundi,Herat,Kabul,Kandahar,Khost,KunduzandNimruz.Improvementsintheperformanceandbehaviorofformaljusticestaffarealsobeingreportedacrosstheprovinces.Thetraditionaljusticesystemcontinuestobethepreferredmechanismforresolvingcasesinsomeoftheprovinces.Atthesametimetheperformance,intermsofefficiencyandequitability,oftraditionaljusticemechanismsisthoughttohaveimprovedinBalkhandDaikundi.17Thefindingsfromin-depthresearchonconflictandfundamentalrightsinSouthAfricafindsthatthepresenceofanindependent,generallyuncorrupted,functioningandaccountablejudiciaryhasbeenanessentialinstrumentincivilsociety’seffortsandstrategiestoprotectsocio-economicrightsofcitizensby,forexample,usinglitigationwithoutfearofsubsequentpersecution.18

Children’sRights

Tovaryingdegreesthereisambiguityabouttherightsofchildrenandwhatconstitutesviolenceagainstchildrenacrossthe10provinces.InKhost,forexample,thereiscompletedenialthatchildrenaresexuallyabused.InNangarhar,bachabaziandusingchildrentosmuggledrugsarewidespread.19Povertyandunemploymenthaveresultedinincreasedchildlaboracrossprovinces,deprivingmanychildrenoftheirrighttochildhood,education,andnurturewhileputtingthematriskforphysicalandsexualviolence.Whilesomeformsofchildlabormaybejustifiedasappropriateonculturalgrounds,e.g.,carpetweaving,farm-relatedwork,anddifferentformsofskillslearningapprenticeshipsaslongastheseactivitiesdonotpreventthechildren’sschooling,otherformsofchildlaborsuchasheavyphysicalworkinbrickmakingandconstructiontendtotakeaserioustollonthechildren’shealthandwellbeing.There

http://appro.org.af/2016/10/afghanistan-rights-monitor-monitoring-cycle-2/,http://appro.org.af/2017/02/afghanistan-rights-monitor-monitoring-cycle-3/

16APPRO(2016a).17APPRO(2016b).18APPRO(2016d).State-CivilSocietyRelation:FundamentalRightsinSouthAfrica,availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/07/state-civil-society-relation-fundamental-rights-in-south-africa/

19Bachabaziisawidelypracticedformofpedophiliatargetingyoungboys.

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appearstobelittleornoawarenessofthelegalrightsofchildrenorrecognitionfortheirbasicrights,includingthelegalprovisionsagainstchildlabor.20Anestimated25percentofAfghanchildrenworkfullorparttime,drivenbytheneedtomeetbasichouseholdnecessities.21Duringthesameperiod,hoever,therearealsoreportsofreductionsinschooldropouts,reportedlyduetoincreasedpublicawarenesscampaignsinBalkh,Daikundi,Kandahar,Khost,andNangarhar.22Sincethelastquarterof2015therehasbeenasteadygrowthininstancesofchildlabor,attributedtoaweakeningeconomy,forcingmanyparentstosendchildrentowork,ormarryoffgirlsatveryyoungage.Also,therecontinuetobereportsofgirlsbeingusedinthepracticeofbaadandearlyandforcedmarriagesinBalkh,Herat,KhostandKunduz.23TherearereportsofrecruitmentofchildrenintoarmedconflictinHerat,Kabul,KhostandNangarhar.Reportedly,bothgovernmentsecurityforcesandarmedoppositiongroupsusechildsoldiers.Lackofopportunityandbasicprovisionsandpovertyandunemploymentoftheparentsarepointedtoasthekeydriversforcingchildrenintoarmedconflict.24ThegovernmentsignedanActionPlanwiththeUnitedNationsonJanuary30,2011toendandpreventtherecruitmentanduseofchildrenbytheAfghanNationalSecurityForces,includingtheAfghanNationalPolice(ANP),AfghanLocalPolice(ALP)andAfghanNationalArmy(ANA).25Therearereports,however,thatthereisperiodicrecruitmentofchildrenbytheANPandALP.TherecruitmentofchildrenbyarmedgroupshasbeenonriseinprovincessuchasKabul,Herat,Nimruz,KunduzandKhost.Quiteapartfromfacingthedangersofarmedconflict,thesechildrenarealsoextremelyvulnerabletophysicalandsexualabuse.Therehavealsobeenreportsofthearmedoppositiongroupsusingchildrenassexslaveofferingstopacifylocalpoliceandarmycommandersandsubsequentlyattackingthem.26

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Therighttovoteisthemostcommonlyunderstoodandpracticedright.Electionsareviewedasoccasionswhencitizensexercisetheirdemocraticrighttovoteandelectleaders.Thereremainswidespreadanduniformdisappointmentwiththe2014presidentialelectionsandanexpectationthatreformsarecarriedtoaddressthefailuresofthevotingprocessin2014,throughsuchmeasuresasdigitizedvotingtominimizethepossibilitiesoftamperingorintimidationduringvoting.Publictrustinelectedrepresentativescontinuedtodropthroughout2016.27Atthesametime,thereisgrowinginterestamongcitizenstojoinpoliticalpartiesespeciallyinBalkh,Herat,Kabul,KhostandKandahar

20APPRO(2016a).21LosAngelesTimes(April19,2014).InAfghanistan,ChildhoodisOftenaFulltimeJob,availablefrom:http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-afghanistan-child-workers-20140420-dto-htmlstory.html.

22APPRO(2016c).23Baadisapracticewherebyafemalememberofafamilyisofferedtoanotherfamilyformarriageasapenaltyandameansofresolvingfeudsbetweenfamilies.

24APPRO(2016b).ObservationsfromAfghanistanRightsMonitor:ChildLabor,availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/06/observations-from-afghanistan-rights-monitor-child-labor/

25See,forexample:https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Afghanistan-Fact-Sheet-May-2016.pdf

26See,forexample:https://www.yahoo.com/news/taliban-honey-trap-boys-kill-afghan-police-034032649.html27APPRO(2016c).

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provinces,mainlyasameanstosecureaccesstoemploymentbutalsotobecomepoliticallyactive.Accesstopublicpositionsremainedafunctionofhavingconnectionsandnepotism.28Accessinggovernmentpositionsisuniformlyassociatedwithcorruption,to“purchase”positions,andpersonalconnections.Thehiringprocessofthecivilserviceisviewedbythevastmajorityofcitizensasflawed,atbest.29

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

Freedomofexpressionisgenerallyassociatedwith“outspokenindividuals”who“exposethetruth.”Outspokenindividualssuchascivilrightsactivistsandjournalistsfrequentlyfacethreatsandintimidationbythesubjectsoftheiractivitiesandrevelations.Thethreatscomefrompowerholders,AOGs,andsometimesgovernmentofficials.Outspokenwomenfacetheadditionalriskofbeingaccusedofimmoralityandthusworthyofthehighestformofpunishmentinsomecommunities.30Thelevel,types,andsourcesofthreatagainstfreedomofexpressionhaveremainedlargelyinplacesincelate2015.Mediacensorship,intimidationandthreatsagainstjournalists,civilsocietyactivistsandoutspokenindividualshaveincreasedinsevenofthe10provinces,excludingBalkh,Khost,andNangarhar.Byendof2016thereweresignificantindicationsofpublicawarenessabouttheRighttoInformationLawinKabulandBalkh.31Thein-depthresearchontherelationshipbetweenfundamentalrightsandarmedconflictinKashmirrevealsthatmediacensorshipisanimmediateoutcomeofheightenedarmedconflict.Atthestartofthe2016crisisinKashmirtheauthoritiesshutdownprintingpressesandtemporarilybannedallnewspapersfrompublishinginasweepinginformationblackoutafterthefirstfewdaysofanti-Indiaprotests.32ThethreatsagainstmediainAfghanistan,however,remainsporadicanddiffusedbutunpredictable.

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Thereremainlargegapsinhealthservicedeliverybetweenurbanandruralareasintermsofavailability,accessandquality.Thereareshortagesofqualifiedstaff,medicine,andadequatefacilities.ServicesforHepatitisCandsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs),andservicesforvictimsofsexualviolencearelimitedandofferedonlyinsomeprovincialcenters.Therehavebeensomemediacampaignstoraisepublicawarenessofsexuallytransmitteddiseaseswithreportedlypositiveimpact,resultinginmorewidespreaduseofcontraceptives.33Patientswithacutehealthconditionsandpregnantwomenfromruralareasareparticularlyvulnerableduetolongdistancestohealthcarefacilitieswithadequateservices,ofteninprovincialcenters.There

28Ibid.29APPRO(2016a).30Ibid.31APPRO(2016b).32APPRO(2016e).State-CivilSocietyRelation:FundamentalRightsinKashmir(India),availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/08/state-civil-society-relations-fundamental-rights-in-kashmir-india/

33APPRO(2016a).

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havebeensomeimprovementsinreproductivehealthserviceprovisioninBalkh,Bamyan,Daikundi,Herat,Kabul,Kandahar,NangarharandNimruz.Therehasalsobeenanincreaseinthenumberofprivatehealthfacilities,availabilityofnightstaffinhospitals,introductionofmobileclinicsinvillages,appointmentofspecializeddoctors,nursesandmidwives,andbetteraccesstomedicine.34Intermsofaccesstohealthservices,theKashmirCaseStudyhighlightedtheissueofconflict-inducedmentaltrauma,similarinmanyrespectstoconflict-relatedmasstraumatizationofAfghans.AkeyrecommendationfromtheKashmirstudyisthatthestate,civilsociety,andinternationaldevelopmentorganizationsneedtomainstreammentalhealthprovisioninAfghanistan,giventhepersistentconflictinnumerousareasofthecountry.35

RighttoBasicServices

Thevastmajorityofthepopulationlivesinruralareasininadequatehousingthatlacksuchbasicservicesassecurestructures,runningwater,sanitation,andheating.Inurbanareas,particularlyinKabul,therearecomplaintsaboutrisingrentsandlackofsufficientandadequatehousing.Therearealsocomplaintsinurbancentersaboutpoorornonexistentinfrastructureforelectricity,water,andsanitation.ThereislittleornoawarenessoruseoftheAccesstoInformationLawtogainaccesstobasicservices.36AdequatehousingisparticularlylackingforIDPs,manyofwhommovetomajorpopulationcenterssuchasKabulandsetupcampsondisputedland.Thereislittleornoevidenceofgovernmentinterventiontoresolveland-relatedconflicts,evenwhentheconflictsturnviolent.Thesedisputesaretypicallyresolvedthroughthetraditionaljusticesystem.37TherehavebeenminorimprovementsinbasicservicesinBalkh,Daikundi,Herat,Kabul,andKhost.InHeratandKandahar,theinaugurationofhydropowerprojectshasledtoincreasedavailabilityofelectricityandirrigationwater.SlightchangesarealsonotedinIDPs’accesstobasicservicesinBalkh,Herat,Kandahar,Khost,andNangarhar,mostlybecauseofthehumanitarianassistancefromUNHCRandotheraidagencies.Atthesametime,theongoingdisplacementsfromHelmand,UruzganandFaryabandtheinfluxofreturneesfrommainlyPakistantoKandahar,NimruzandNangarharhaveputadditionalpressureontheprovisionofbasicservicesinthehostprovinces.38Accesstoessentialservicesincludingwater,electricityandsanitationareconsideredfromtheperspectiveofeffectiveavailability.Formost,accesstobasicservicesisperceivedasafunctionofahousehold’seconomicwellbeingandaccesstonetworksofpower.Thestateisconsideredasnotfulfillingitsresponsibilitiestoprovidebasicservicesforitscitizens.39Inaddition,thefindingsfromastudyofbasicrightsinSouthAfricaaspartoftheARMprojectsfindsthatwhilethepost-apartheidstatehasmadeimportantstridesinundoingsomeofapartheid’slegacies,ongoingunmetsocio-economicneedssuchashousing,adequatesanitation,accesstowater,inequality

34APPRO(2016b).35APPRO(2016e).36Ibid.37APPRO(2016a).38APPRO(2016b).39APPRO(inprint).EffectsofReturnMigrationonRightsPerceptionandPractices.AfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganization(Kabul:APPRO).

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ineducation,andaccesstoemploymentareattherootsofwidespreadsocialdiscontentacrossthecountry.40

FoodSecurity

TheWorldFoodProgram’sestimateforthefoodinsecureinAfghanistanisoverninemillionfoodin2016.Foodaidfrominternationalagenciesisinsufficienttofeedallthoseinneedwhilethegovernmentprovidesfoodandotherassistanceonlyinemergenciessuchasearthquakesandfloods.Manypoorerfamiliesrelyontheirbetter-to-dorelativesforfoodandclothingdonations.Communitysupportforthefoodinsecureismorecommoninruralareasthanurbansettings.Mosquesarenottypicallyinvolvedonanongoingbasisininitiativestofeedthepoor.41SomemosquesassistsuchinitiativesbymakingannouncementsduringFridayprayersfordonationstohelpfamilieswithatragedyorfuneralexpenses,forexample.42Therehavebeennomajorchangesinthelevelsoffoodinsecurityoraidmodalitiessincelate2016.43Theprincipalcausesoffoodinsecurityarewidespreadpoverty,lackofpaidemploymentandjobopportunities,lowhouseholdincome,insufficientdomesticagriculturalproduction,landandwaterscarcity,climaterelatedissuessuchasdroughts,increasingpopulation,conflictandinsecurity,anddisplacementduetooneormoreofthese.Whileasevereprobleminitself,foodinsecurityalsoresultsinahostofsecondaryproblemssuchastheforcedsaleoflandandotherassets,earlymarriagesofgirls,displacementfromruraltourbanareas,increasedbegginginurbanareasasthesolesourceofincome,andchildrenskippingschoolinordertoworkorbeg.44

RighttoEducation

Availabilityof,accessto,anduseofprovisionsineducationvariesaccordingtoterrain,degreeofurbanization,andlocaltraditions.Oneofthemainconcernsisinadequacyandqualityofeducationduetoovercrowding,largeclasssizes,andmakeshiftfacilitiesincludingtentsoutdoorsspaces.ArmedconflicthasledtoclosingdownofsomeschoolsinKunduzwhileinNangarhartheinflowofreturneesandIDPshaveputadditionalpressuresthealreadyover-stretchedschoolsystem.Thekeyimpedimentstoeducationarepoverty,forcingmanyfamiliestosendboysouttoworkandmarryingofftheiryoungdaughters,andtraditionalconservatism,whichpreventsmanygirls,particularlyovertheage12or13years,fromattendingschool.Povertydisallowsmanyfamilies,particularlyinruralareaswithlessaccesstohighergradeschools,fromsendingtheirchildrentoschoolsofferinghighergradesbeyondprimaryschool.Insecurityinsomeareasalsodissuadesmanyfamiliesfromsendingtheirchildren,particularlygirls,toschoolsdeemedtoofarfromhome.45

40APPRO(2016f).State-CivilSocietyRelation:FundamentalRightsinSouthAfrica,availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/07/state-civil-society-relation-fundamental-rights-in-south-africa/

41HollandD.(inprint).RoleofMosquesinAddressingFoodInsecurityinAfghanistan.AfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganization(Kabul:APPRO).

42APPRO(2016a).43APPRO(2016b).44APPRO(2016g).ObservationsfromAfghanistanRightsMonitor:FoodSecurity,availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/2016/08/observations-from-afghanistan-rights-monitor-food-security/

45APPRO(2016a).

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Therehave,nevertheless,beensomeimprovementsinavailabilityofandaccesstoeducationincludingappointmentofqualifiedteachersandprincipals,increasesinthenumberofpublicandprivateschools,constructionofnewinfrastructureandenhancedmonitoringofschools,particularlyinBalkh,Bamyan,Daikundi,Herat,Kandahar,Khost,NangarharandKabul.InHeratgirls’accesstoeducationincreasedsignificantlywhileKunduzexperiencedadeclineintermsofavailability,accessto,anduseofeducationalservicesparticularlyduring2016,attributedtoKunduzbeingoverruntwicebyarmedmilitantsduringthatyear.46Therehasalsobeenasteadyimprovementintheperceptionoftraditionalistsabouteducationforgirls.47OneofthepotentiallessonsfromtheKashmiricontextforAfghanistanisthatKashmiriattitudestowardtheimportanceofmaintainingaseculareducationsystemhaskepttheeducationsystemimmunetopoliticalpropagandaandpressurebyreligiousideologistswithinandoutsideofKashmir.Toalargeextent,thesecularapproachtoeducationhaslimitedtheimpactofreligion-basedpropagandafromPakistaniKashmirtoaggravatereligioustensionsinIndianKashmir.48

FamilyRights

Familydisputesandconflictsoccuroveranumberofissuesincludinginheritance,non-paymentofdowryandalimony,addictiontonarcotics,anddivorce.Therearenumerousviolationsofwomen’srightswithinthefamilyincludingbeatingsandotherformsofphysicalviolence,restrictedmobility,forcedwork,forcedpolygamy,denialofeducation,denialofaccesstohealthcare,forcedandearlymarriage,baad,badal,abandonment,denialofdivorce,andpublicharassment.Theperpetratorsofviolenceagainstwomenarenotjusthusbands,butalsomothers-in-lawandbrothersofthehusband.DivorceappearstohavebecomemorecommoninDaikundi,Balkh,Nimruz,andBamyan.Women’ssheltersareavailableinanumberofprovincialcenters,thoughnotall.WiththeexceptionofBamyan,women’ssheltersappeartohaveaverynegativereputationwithinlocalcommunities,includingassociatingshelterswithbrothels.FamilyResponseUnits(FRUs)housedbytheAfghanNationalPolicearegenerallyavailablethoughtheirpurposeandauthorityarenotwellunderstoodbythepublic.Inaddition,theFRUsarenotconsideredusefulforresolvingfamilyproblemssincetheymostlyonlydocumentcases.49ViolenceagainstwomenappearstohaverecededinBalkh,Bamyan,Kandahar,Khost,NangarharandNimruzbutincreasedinKabulandHerat,attributedmostlytounemploymentamongthemen.InKandahar,outlyingdistrictsofKabul,andNangarharfamilyrelatedissuessuchasviolationsofinheritancerightsandexchangemarriage(badal)hasdecreaseddue,reportedly,toanincreaseinpublicawarenessprogramscarriedoutbythemedia,civilsociety,andcommunityandreligiousleaders.Women’saccesstosheltersremainsmostlyunchangedbutlimitedacrosstheprovinces.50ThereremainsageneralapprehensionbymostAfghansofthenotionof“humanrights”,equatedbythelaypersontowomen’srightsand,assuch,viewedwithsuspicionandseenaspromotinganassertive

46APPRO(2016b).47APPRO(2016d).48APPRO(2016e).49APPRO(2016a).50APPRO(2016b).

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individualismamongwomenthatthreatensfamilyandtraditionallyconservativevaluesabouttheplaceofwomeninsociety.51Furthermore,women’srightsadvocacyinAfghanistanhasmostlyengagedwomenwhileleavingoutmenandboys.Asaresult,manywomenwhobecameawareoftheirrightsandattempttoexercisethemcomeupagainstmenwhoseetheexerciseasadirectchallengetotheirauthorityandtraditionalvalues.Thereis,nevertheless,ageneralrecognitionthatawarenessofwomen’srightshasincreasedespeciallyinurbancentersoverthepastdecadeandthatsomegender-basedpracticesareslowlydiminishingwiththeincreasedpresenceofwomeninthepublicspaceandgirls’education.52

EconomicRights

Acontractingeconomy,fewemploymentopportunities,lessthanadequateworkingconditions,andcorruptionhavehadasignificantimpactoneconomicrights.Internationalhumanitariananddevelopmentaidassistancecontinuestodecrease,eliminatingmanyjobopportunitiesforthethousandsoftheyoungandeducatedmenandwomenthatgraduateeveryyear.Thosethathavejobsfeelinsecureandworryabouttheuncertainfuture.Securingjobsoftenentailsconnections,bribes,orboth.Formanyfamilies,women’sworkisonlyacceptableinthehealthandeducationsectors.Therearenumerousreportsofwomenfacingharassmentinpublicspacesandtheworkplace.53HarassmentofwomenhasincreasedinHeratandDaikundiwhileinBamyanandNimruztherearereportsofwomenbeinggivenpreferenceovermeninrecruitmentbecausewomentendtobemorereliableandinmanycasesarepaidlessthanmen.54InNimruzsomeorganizationsaresaidtoprovidehealthcarefortheiremployees.Unstableandunderpaidemployment,limitedjobopportunitiesanddiscrimination,insecurity,andendemiccorruptionandnepotismareoftenlistedastheaggravatingfactorsinaccesstoworkinboththepublicandprivatesectors.Withafewexceptions,women’semploymentisgenerallyconcentratedinhealthandeducationsectors.55

CrosscuttingThemes

GenderRelations

Therehasbeenanoveralldecreaseingenderdiscriminationinvarioussectorsacrossalltenprovinces.TherearereportsofdecreasesingenderdiscriminationintheformaljusticesysteminBalkh,Bamyan,Daikundi,Herat,andNimruz.WomenhavebeenreceivingpreferentialtreatmentinsecuringemploymentinBamyan,Kabul,NimruzandNangarharandsomeearnhigherwagesthanmen.51APPRO(2016f),RightsinAfghanistan:“Human”or“Fundamental”?Availablefrom:http://appro.org.af/publication/rights-in-afghanistan-human-or-fundamental/

52APPRO(2016d).53APPRO(2016a).54APPRO(2016b).55MartinL.(inprint).

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Harassmentofwomeninpublicspacesandattheworkplacecontinuestobeadeterrenttowomen’smobilityingeneralandaccesstoworkandeducationinparticular.However,thereisalsoageneralrecognitionthatattitudestowardswomenareslowlychanginginurbancenters.56

Corruption

Corruptionplaguesallsectorsincludingtheoneswiththeresponsibilitytoprovidebasicservices.Corruptionandnepotismhaveamoresevereimpactonthepoorandthosewithoutconnections.Therearenumerouscomplaintsaboutnepotism,bribery,theft,exertionofextra-judicialinfluence,andprovidingorreceivingbasicservicesforafee.57Throughout2016therewasasteadyincreaseincorruptioninmostofthesectorsacrossallprovinces.Corruptioninthepolice,educationservices,andaccesstopublicpositionsincreasedthroughouttheyear.Atthesametime,significantdecreasesincorruptionlevelswerereportedintheformaljusticesysteminBalkh,Bamyan,Daikundi,Herat,KandaharandNimruz,mainlybecauseofadministrativereform,replacementofcorruptofficials,appointmentofprofessionalstaff,andincreaseinsalaries.58ThefindingsfromtheKashmircasestudysuggestthat,duringheightenedconflict,corruptionisamajorobstacletogoodgovernanceundercivilianrule.Whilethegovernmenthaswellestablisheddepartmentsforvariousservicestoaddressthecitizens’mostfundamentalneeds,thereisagenerallackofaccountabilityandtransparencyinthefunctioningofthesedepartmentsduringheightenedconflict,akeyoutcomeofwhichissystemiccorruption.Attemptsbystateauthoritiestoinstitutetransparencyandaccountabilitythroughsuchmeasuresase-governancewouldrequiresignificantinputbycivilsocietywhich,duringheightenedconflict,islargelyexcludedfromparticipatingingovernmentdecisionmakingprocessesonsecuritygrounds.59

AidModalities:DevelopmentVs.HumanitarianAid

DuringthecourseofconductingthemonitoringeveryfourmonthsandperiodicthematicresearchundertheARMproject,APPROwasaskedonanumberofoccasionsbydonors,governmentauthorities,andcivilsocietyorganizationsabouttheaddedvalueofcontinuingregularmonitoringandperiodicresearch,givenAfghanistan’sdireandimmediateneedsandheightenedinsecurity.Akeyquestion,askedbysome,waswhetheritwastimetoswitchmostofthedonorfundstobasichumanitarianaidprovisionratherthanstatebuildingandrelatedcapacitybuildingendeavorsanddevelopmentrequiringmonitoringandresearch.Onerationalegivenwasthatwithsatellitetechnologyitwasnowpossibletodetectpopulationdisplacementsandbasedontrackingthesemovementsdonorscouldallocatetheirfundsmuchmoreeffectivelytoprovideshelter,food,water,andotherbasicneeds.TheexperiencetodatefromconductingmonitoringandappliedresearchaspartofARMandothermulti-yearprojectsbyAPPROshowsclearlythatconcernsaboutaddressingpressinghumanitarianneedsarevalid.However,thechoicebetweendevelopmentandhumanitarianaidisafalsedichotomyandcertainlynotan“either/or”question.AssistancetoAfghanistanneedstobesimultaneouslyforhumanitarianneedsanddevelopment.

56Ibid.57APPRO(2016a).58APPRO(2016b).59APPRO(2016c).

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State-CivilSocietyCapacityBuildingOutcomes

Components2and3oftheARMprojectaredesignedforjointcapacitybuildingexercisesinvolvingqualifiedindividualsfromcivilsocietyandstateorganizations.Thetrainingonthepolicyprocessisbasedoninternationalstandardsandcross-certifiedbyinternationalacademicinstitutions.Thetrainingprovidesasystemicandsystematicviewofthepolicyprocessincludingtheformalandtraditionalstructuresthroughwhichgovernanceisexercised.Thetrainingalsoincludesunitsonevidence-basedadvocacyandmonitoringandevaluation,tohighlighttheneedforthepolicyprocesstoincludeongoingandsignificantinputfromcivilsociety,astheultimatebeneficiariesofpolicyoutcomes,inpolicydecisions.

ProfessionalTraining

Thetrainingeventshavebeenusedtocreatespaceswherecivilsocietyandstateauthoritiescouldengageonpolicychoicespertainingtofundamentalrights,usingthesamevocabularyandrecognizingthesameconstraintsandpossibilities.Twotypesoftrainingwerecarriedoutin2016.Three-daycoursesonthepolicyprocess,evidence-basedadvocacy,andmonitoringandevaluationwereprovidedto150representativesfromCSOsandgovernmentauthoritiesinnineprovinces.Duringthesameperiod,26qualifiedcandidatesfromCSOsandgovernmentauthoritieswereselectedandtrainedinthecourse“PolicyandInstitutionalAnalysis”,cross-certifiedbyGhentUniversity(Belgium).Thefeedbackfromtheparticipantsinbothtypesoftrainingindicatesthatthesessionshavebeenofpracticalvaluetotheparticipantsandrelevanttotheirwork.ThemajorityoftheparticipantsfeelstronglythatcoursessimilartoPolicyandInstitutionalAnalysisshouldcontinuetobeofferedalongwithpracticalpolicyanalysisworkshopswheretheparticipantsapplywhattheyhavelearnedtorealpolicyproblemsandchallenges.Theparticipants,manyofwhomhavereturnedtoAfghanistanaftercompletingbachelor’sormaster’sdegreesabroad,findthePolicyandInstitutionalAnalysiscourseparticularlyvaluablebecauseofitsapplied,hands-onapproachtosolvingpolicyproblems.Anotherhighpointintheevaluationsofthecross-certifiedcoursewasthehighutilityoftheseminardiscussions,whichwereheldusingbothEnglishandDaritoensurethatthemeaningofthetermsandtopicstaughtinthelectureswerefullyarticulatedandunderstood.OfferingsimilarcoursesandinasimilarmannertothecourseonPolicyandInstitutionalAnalysisislikelytostrengthenandexpandthetechnicalabilityofthenewgenerationofAfghanswhoareincreasinglybecominginvolvedinpolicymatters,bothingovernmentandnon-governmententities.

MentoringSessions

Thementoringsessionsareusedasfollowuponthetrainingsessionstoensurethattheparticipantsapplytheknowledgegainedfromthetraining.Duringthementoringworkshops,thepreviouslytaughtmaterialonpolicyanalysis,evidence-basedadvocacy,andmonitoringandevaluationisreviewedalongwithfindingsfromtheresearchandmonitoringcomponentoftheARMprojecttoexplorethepolicyimplicationsofthesefindings,usingthelearningfromthetraining.

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Virtuallyallparticipantsinthetwotypesoftrainingstatedthattheyfoundco-learningbystateandcivilsocietyrepresentativeswasauniqueandhighlyrewardingexperienceandthatthismodeoftrainingmadeasignificantcontributiontoincreasedtrustbetweenstateandcivilsocietyactors.Afterthecompletionofthefirstroundofcertifiedtraining,twoalumnimeetingswereheldin2016withtheparticipantstogaugetheimpactofthetrainingontheirworkandtomaintainongoingcontactwithotheralumni.Atbothmeetings,theparticipantswereadamantthattheirunderstandingofthepolicyprocesshadfundamentallychangedinthattheynolongerviewedpolicymakingasatechnicalmattertobehandledbypolicymakingbureaucrats,oralinearandfiniteprocesswithclearbeginningsandends.Rather,becauseofthesystemicapproachtoanalyzingpolicyastaughtinthecourse,theynowviewedthepolicyprocessashavingmultipleactorsandacircularandongoingprocess.Tobuildontheimpactofcertifiedtraining,aworkshopwasorganizedinDubaiinJanuary2017tobringtogethertrainedindividualsfromstateentitiesandcivilsocietytoexplorecollaborationpossibilitiesbetweenstateandcivilsocietyinmeetingthecommitmentsmadeattheBrusselsConferenceofOctober2016,withafocusonfundamentalrights.

InternationalConsultationWorkshop

Atwo-dayworkshopwasconvenedinDubaiinJanuary2017withrepresentativesfromgovernmentministriesandCSOrepresentatives,facilitatedbyAPPROwithsupportfromthreeinternationalexpertsfromGermany,theUnitedKingdom,andCanada.TheaimoftheDubaiworkshopwastoincreasecollaborationbetweenstateauthoritiesandcivilsocietyinmeetingAfghanistan’scommitmentstoprotectingandpromotingfundamentalrightsasarticulatedduringtheBrusselsConference,heldduringOctober3-5,2016.TheworkshopcommencedwithapresentationofthelatestfindingsfromresearchandmonitoringcarriedoutunderARMtolaythebasisforadiscussiononhowbesttomovetowardAfghanistan’scommitmentstofundamentalrightsmadeduringtheBrusselsConference.AttheendoftheworkshopitwasagreedthataroadmapneededtobedevelopedasthebasisonwhichstateandcivilsocietyactorscouldformcollaborativearrangementsandworktowardinstitutionalizingfundamentalrightsinAfghanistan.Afollowupworkshopisplannedforearly2018.Intheinterim,APPROwillcompleteitssurveyofAfghancivilsocietyrepresentativesineffortstodraftinpreparationforthe2018workshop.Thedraftroadmapisbeingbasedonalistofthemostsignificant,rights-relatedcommitmentsfromtheBrusselsConferencetobepursuedthroughclosercollaborationbetweenstateauthoritiesandcivilsociety.ThecommitmentsselectedduringtheDubaiworkshopare:• StrengtheningRuleofLaw• AccesstoFormalJustice• AccesstoEmployment• FoodSecurityandMalnutrition• AccesstoSafeDrinkingWaterandSanitation• WomenRights,specifically:WomeninFormalJusticeSystem,WomeninPeace,Women’sAccessto

Health,EducationandEmployment• Children’sRights• RightsofInternallyDisplacedandReturnees

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• RoleofMediainDevelopmentTheparticipantsfurtheragreedthatthebestwaytomoveforwardwouldbetoestablishforeachcommitmentthemostrelevantactors,mostrelevantfactors(includinglegislationandfunding),andactualandpotentialmechanismsforstate-civilsocietyinterfaceonprotectingandpromotingfundamentalrights.60

NationalAdvocacyCommitteeforPublicPolicy

NationalAdvocacyCommitteeforPublicPolicy(NAC-PP)wasestablishedinlate2014aspartoftheproject,CitizensFirst,fundedbytheDutchMinistryofForeignAffairsasapartnershipbetweenOxfamNovib,APPRO,andPTRO.61FromtheonsetoftheARMprojectinlate2015,persistenteffortsweremadetostrengthenNAC-PPbylinkingittheARMprojectandbyestablishinganumberofsub-committeestofocusonspecificthemes.Bytheendof2016,NAC-PPhadestablishedsixsub-committeesonHealth,Education,FoodSecurity,Justice,Anti-corruption,andNAP1325.ThefindingsfromtheARMprojectcontinuetobeplacedundertheHealth,Education,Justice,FoodSecurity,andNAP1325sub-committees.PartnershipagreementswithcivilsocietyorganizationsunderARMComponent2includedcapacityexchangeonthepolicyprocess,jointengagementswithrelevantstateauthorities,andadvocacyonfundamentalrights.EachNAC-PPmemberorganizationiscommittedtoinstitutionalizinglessonslearnedinthecapacitybuildingcomponentoftheprojectandtransferringthatknowledgetoothercivilsocietyactors.

60APPROhaspreparedaseparatedocumenttomeetthispurpose.61FormoreinformationonNationalAdvocacyCommitteeforPublicPolicy,see:http://www.nac-pp.net/

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ChallengesandWaysForward

Challenges

Insecurity:Persistentanddeterioratingsecurityhasadirectadverseimpactonfundamentalrightsgenerallyandonthebasicrightsofthemostvulnerableincludingwomen,children,andthedisplacedparticularly.Developmentandhumanitarianinterventionsneedtoincreasinglycorrespondtoarapidlychangingoperatingenvironment.DonorFatigue:ThereisincreasingevidencethattheinternationaldonorsinvolvedinthereconstructionofAfghanistansince2001aregrowingwearyofnotbeingabletoseeanendtotheirpresenceinAfghanistanandareunderincreasingdomesticpressuretodivertdevelopmentandhumanitarianaidfundstodomesticneedsinthehomecountries.Therehavebeentwooutcomesresultingfromthesetwotrends.First,duetothehighoperationandadministrationcostsandthecomplexitiesofdevelopmentprogrammingmanydonorsinAfghanistanhaveoptedforchannelingtheirfundsdirectlythroughtheAfghanistanReconstructionTrustFund,presidedoverbytheWorldBankandrequiringminimaleffortbythedonorsinmanagingandadministeringtheirownfunds.Thesecondoutcomeistheincreasingtendencytowarddeliveringhumanitarianaid,onthegroundsthatpersistentinstabilityhasledtoincreasinglevelsofdisplacementandsufferingandthusthereisahigherandmoreurgentneedthanbeforetoprioritizehumanitarianaidprovisionoverdevelopmentaid.MisperceptionsofHumanRights:InAfghanistan“humanrights”isviewedlargelyasaconceptimposedbywesterners.Also,thenotionofhumanrightshasoftenbeenequatedmostlywithwomen’srights,ininterventionsbytheinternationalcommunityandintheperceptionofordinaryAfghans.Theseviewsareinpartproductsofrightsawarenessandgendermainstreaminginterventionsthathavefocusedalmostexclusivelyonwomenwithlittleornoattempttoincludemenandboys.EndemicAdministrativeCorruption:Administrativecorruptionplaguesallsectorsresponsibleforprovidingrights-basedservicesincludingformaljustice,education,andhealth.Corruptionandnepotismseverelyaffectthepoorandthosewithoutconnections.Systemicandsystematiccorruptionunderminesservicedeliveryinallsectors.LackofFunctionalComplaintMechanisms:Thereislittleornofaithinexistinggovernmentmechanismsforadequatehandlingofcitizensconcernsandcomplaints,includingoncorruptionandservicedelivery.Mostbelievethatacomplaintwouldeitherresultinnothing,orwouldhaveadverseconsequencesforthecomplainant,includingretaliation.InequalityUndertheLaw:Manypowerholdersinvolvedincriminalactshistoricallyorcurrentlyremainabovethelaw,impedingtherightsofothers.Thepolice,formaljudiciaryandthetraditionaljusticesystemcanbeeasilymanipulatedorforcedtoruleinfavorofthepowerful.ProminenceofTraditionalJusticeSystem:Traditionaljusticesystemispreferredbymanytotheformalsystembecauseitisviewedaslesspronetocorruptionorpressure,andoffersfasterdecisions.Therearecomplaints,however,thatitsrulingscanbediscriminatory,particularlyregardingwomen’srights.

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ChildLabor:ChildlaboriswidespreadthroughoutAfghanistanandrangesfromthechildrenworkingwithinthetraditionalapprenticeshipsystemand,assuch,notalwaysexploitivetochildrendoingdangerousorheavyphysicalworkinadditiontobeingdeprivedofgoingtoschool.Gender-basedVulnerabilities:Womenandgirlsaresubjectedtonumerousdeprivationsandinjusticesincludingearlyandforcedmarriage,baad,badal,anddenialofaccesstoeducationandinheritance.Thereisstrongindicationthatmalesandfemaleshaveappreciablydifferentviewsabouttheexistence,prevalenceandtypesofviolenceagainstwomen.FoodInsecurity:Thenumberoftheseverelyfoodinsecureincreasedin2016.Foodsecurityusuallyresultsinforcedsaleoflandandotherassets,earlymarriagesofgirls,andtakingchildrenoutofschoolandsendingthemtowork.Female-headedhouseholdsareparticularlyvulnerabletofoodinsecurity.

WaysForward

OngoingMonitoring:ContinualmonitoringoftheconditionsthatbearonfundamentalrightsinAfghanistanhastobemaintainedfortheyearstocome,consideringtherapidlychangingsocial,economic,andpoliticalenvironmentandtheimpactofinstabilityanduncertaintyonfundamentalrights.HumanRightsandFundamentalorBasicRights:Giventhemisperceptionsabouthumanrightsasaforeignconcept,humanrightsprogrammingwoulddowelltoadopttheuseof“basicrights”or“fundamentalrights”insteadofhumanrights.HumanitarianVs.DevelopmentAid:Whilethereismuchroomforimprovinghumanitarianaidprovisionandmakingthisitsdistributionmoreinclusive,particularlyasregardsfoodsecurity,thefundingofdevelopmentprogrammingneedstocontinuesoasnottolosethemanygainsmadesince2001,particularlyasregardswomen’srights,education,health,andevenformaljusticetosomeextent.Assuch,developmentprogrammingtocontinuebuildingonthepost-2001gainswillrequirein-depthandup-to-dateanalysisofchangesaffectingthesegains,inadditiontousingdigitaldatashowingpopulationmovementsandhighlightingacutecasesrequiringhumanitarianaid.CommitmenttoFundamentalRights:ProtectionandpromotionoffundamentalrightsinAfghanistanisnotexclusivetothegovernment.Civilsocietymustplayakey,drivingroleinprotectionandpromotionoffundamentalrightsbytakingthegovernmentforitswordoncommitmentstoandannouncementsinsupportoffundamentalrights.Directengagement,lobbyingandadvocacy,andproposingcost-effectiveorno-costsolutionsforprotectionandpromotionoffundamentalrightsareamongactionsthatneedtobeinitiatedbycivilsociety.ProfessionalizationofState-CivilSocietyInteractions:Consideringthepositivefeedbackoftheparticipantsonthecertifiedcourse“PolicyandInstitutionalAnalysis”,thesuccessinthecreationofasharedvocabularyamongtheparticipantsandspacesforthemtoengageonproblemdefinitionandsolutionidentification,itwillbecrucialtocontinuetheprovisionofprofessional,cross-certifiedcoursesforqualifiedindividualsfromgovernmententitiesandcivilsocietyformultiplereasonsincludingsynergy.Tobuildonthesuccessofofferingcross-certifiedcoursestothismixedaudience,APPROwillconductaseriesofworkshopsfortheparticipantsinthecross-certifiedcourseontechnicalandacademicwritingandappliedpolicyanalysis.APPROhasalsotakenstepstoformallyregister“GRAD

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Institute”tocontinueofferingcross-certifiedcoursesinAfghanistanonpolicyanalysis,organizationalmanagement,evidence-basedadvocacy,monitoringandevaluation,andlegalliteracy.MainstreamingFundamentalRights:Thereisaneedforplacingfundamentalrightsonsocial,politicalandeconomicagenda.NationalandinternationalNGOs,associations,politicalparties,parliamentarians,andreligiousandcommunityleadersmustbemobilizedaroundfundamentalrightssuchasadequateshelter,food,workingconditions,andbasicservicessuchashealth,education,andequitablejusticeforall.FundamentalRightsIndicators:BasedonthemonitoringandresearchcarriedoutundertheARMproject,availabledatafromsecondarysourced,andtheimmediacyofsomefundamentalrightsascomparedtoothers,arevisedandprioritizedlistofindicatorsandproxieswillneedtobedevelopedforfuturephasesoffundamentalrightsmonitoring.Inparticular,futuremonitoringshouldhavemorespecificindicatorsfortherightsIDPsandreturnees,levelsoflegalliteracy,rightsofthedisabled,andanexpandedsetofindicatorsforeconomicrightsandeconomicconditionsincludingchangesintheGDP,inflationrate,labormarketconditions,andyouthandwomen’semployability.IntegratedDevelopmentProgramming:GiventhegravityofthesituationformostfundamentalrightsinAfghanistan,programmingbythegovernmentanditsinternationaldonorsshouldbebasedonwhetherandhowinterventionsaffectfundamentalrightsofthemostvulnerablebutalsomoregenerally.Rights-basedprogrammingwouldnecessarilyneedtobebasedonup-to-datemonitoringdataontheconditionsoffundamentalrights.State-CivilSocietyInterface:Effortsbythegovernmentandcivilsocietyorganizationstoworktogethermorecloselyonmeetingfundamentalneedsofthecitizenscanandshouldbeintensified.Disseminationoffindingsfromresearchandmonitoringandjointtrainingofindividualsfromgovernmententitiesandcivilsocietyarelikelytocreatemorespacesforstateandcivilsocietytoengage,co-defineproblemsandpriorities,andacttogethertowardmeetingthem.