International Humanitarian Law Report
Transcript of International Humanitarian Law Report
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Communityprotectionofmedicalfacilities
ImplementationoftheprinciplesofInternationalHumanitarianLaw
AudienceresearchconductedbyPACTRadio
onstorylinesofDaPulayPoraydrama-April2017– [email protected]
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Tableofcontents:
Overviewandbackground…………………………………………………………………………………………page3-4
AudiencereactiontoDaPulayPoraystoryline…………………………………………………………page5-6
Audienceresearchintoimpactofthestoryline………………………………………………………page7-16
UnderstandingofInternationalHumanitarianLaw………………………………………………page17-20
Radiolistenership……………………………………………………………………………………….……………..page21
Educationandage…………………………………………………………………………………………………page21-22
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Overviewandbackground:
InFebruaryandMarch2017,PACTRadioranacompellingstorylineinitspopularday-to-dayradiodramaDaPulayPoray.Thestorylinecenteredonthecommunity’ssupportforlocalmedicalfacilities,theprotectionofthesefacilitiesfromtheravagesofwarandthereactionofthecommunitytoimplementationoftheprinciplesofInternationalHumanitarianLaw–careofthewounded,protectionofmedicalfacilities–intheirmidst.ThestorylinewasrootedintwopreviousstorylinesofDaPulayPoraydrama.Firstly,therehadbeenfightinginKandaovillage,whereDaPulayPoraydramaisset,betweentworivalgroups.Oneoftheserivalgroupshadmadeatrenchnexttothelocalmedicalfacility.Despitepleastotheleaderofthisgrouptovacatethisposition,whichimperiledthemedicalfacility,hestucktohisgunsandrefusedtobudge.Eventually,theoutcomethatwasfearedtookplace,withtheclinicbeingdamaged,somepatientsinjuredandtheorganizationthatrantheclinic vacatingit,leavingthelocalpopulationwithoutamedicalfacilityintheirneighborhood.
Lateron,theverysamepersonwhohadbeenresponsibleforthedamagetotheclinic–alocalstrongmanbythenameofZafarKhan,wasapproachedbyapersonopposedtopolioimmunizationandaskedtokidnapthepoliovaccinationteamthatwasabouttodoatourofKandaovillage.Hedidasrequested.Theonlythingwasthathecapturedthewrongpeople.Insteadofcapturingthepolioimmunizationgroup,hecapturedanothergroup,whohappenedtobeheadingtoKandaovillageataroundthesametimeasthepolioimmunizationgroup.Thisgroup,mistakenbyZafarKhanforthevaccinators,wasagroupfromtheorganizationoperatingthelocalclinic.TheywantedtoseeifthesecuritysituationwasgoodenoughintheenvironsofKandaovillage,forthemtoreopenthelocalclinic.ZafarKhanletthemgo,oncehefoundoutthattheywerenotthevaccinators.However,theharmhadbeendoneandobviouslythegroupreportedbackthatthesecuritysituationaroundKandaovillagewasstillbad,andnotconducivetoreopeningofthemedicalfacility.
Yetanotherstoryline,setinthemorerecentpastinKandaovillage,alsocontributedtosettingthesceneforthecurrentstorylineonInternationalHumanitarianLaw.ItconcernedKashmala,alocalwidowwhohadprevaileduponhermaternaluncletohandovertoherherfairshareinhermother’sinheritance.HeruncleMalikGhanididthisunwillingly,andasaresultrelationsbetweenhimandhisniecesoured.RelationsdeterioratedevenfurtherwhenKashmala,besideslivinginthehousethatshehadbuiltonthelandthatshehadinherited,alsooperatedawomen’slearningandactivitycentrethere.WhenMalikGhani,incomplicitywithZafarKhan,posedasaninvadinggroupandtookoverhisownvillage,inaploytoincreasehisowncloutinthevillage,healsoprevailedonZafarKhantoburndownKashmala’shouse.
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ZafarKhanhadoccasiontoruehisactionswhenhefoundhimselfindireneedofmedicalattention.Whiletryingtoteachhisfriend,alocaljokerbythenameofMatlabShah,howtofireagun,MatlabShahinadvertentlyshotZafarKhanintheleg.ZafarKhanwasbleedingprofuselyandneededmedicalattentionbutofcourse,entirelyduetohisownactions,therewasnomedicalfacilityoperatinginthevicinity.TheonlypersonwhocouldadministeremergencyfirstaidtoZafarKhan–inparticulartostophisbleeding–wasKashmala.Kashmala’syoungersisterZarminawasdeadagainstKashmalaadministeringfirstaidtoZafarKhan.ThesistershadfoundoutthatitwasZafarKhanwhohadburneddowntheirhouse.Areyousavingthelifeofsomeonewhohasearnedourenmity,Zarminachallengedhersister?KashmalaexplainedtoheryoungersisterthatnowZafarKhanlaywounded,indesperateneedofmedicalattention,hewasneitherfriendnorfoe:hewasjustawoundedpersonwhohadarighttomedicalattention.SoKashmalasavedhislife,muchtothechagrinofhersister.
TocontinuethestorylinethatranonInternationalHumanitarianLaw,theimpactofwhichwasresearchedandisexplainedinthisreport–afterKashmalasavedZafar’slife,byarrestinghisbleeding,hewastakentothehospitalintheprovincialcentre–thesihat-e-aamaasitisknowninAfghanistan.HistreatmentwasunderwaywhenZafarKhanbecameparanoidduetowhatheperceivedastheundueattentionoftheauthorities.ZafarKhanwasanotoriouscriminal–aproclaimedoffender.Theauthoritieshadgoodreasontowanttospeaktohim,inconnectionwithahostofcrimes,oneofwhichwasthekidnappingoftheteamthathadcometosurveythesecuritysituationintheneighborhood,withaviewtoreopeningthelocalclinic.
ZafarKhanwassurehewasabouttobearrested.Toescapearrest,withhelpfromhishenchmanMatlabShah,heescapedfromtheprovincialcentrehospitalandreturnedtoKandaovillage.Sincehiswoundhadnothadtimetohealproperly,andheleftthehospitalbeforehistreatmenthadbeencompleted,hiswoundbecameinfected.Sobaddidtheinfectionbecomethatadoctorwhovisitedhimthereadvisedhimthathislegwouldhavetobeamputated,inordertosavehislife.ZafarKhanthoughtthatthedoctorsmustbetryingtoexactrevengefromhim,forhavingkidnappedtheircolleagues,butthedoctorsexplainedtohimthattheywereonlyinthebusinessofgivingsolidmedicaladvice,nottakingrevengefromanyone.ZafarKhanhadhislegamputated.VillagersassuredtheorganizationresponsibleforrunningtheclinicthatnowthatZafarKhanhadbecomeaninvalid,thethreattothemedicalfacilitynolongerexisted.Theywouldprovidethelabourforreconstructionoftheclinicandwouldguaranteesecurity,iftheorganizationwouldagreetoreopentheclinic.Theorganizationdidso,andKashmalawasappointedasahealthworkerintheclinic,asrewardforhereffortsinthewholesaga.Thiswasthegistofthestoryline,theimpactofwhichwearelookingatinthefollowingpages.
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AudiencereactiontoIHLstoryline:
AswellasdoingregularresearchintolistenershipandimpactofDaPulayPoraydramastorylines,PACTRadioalsoreceivescallsfromlisteners,onadedicatedphonenumberthatisprovidedtolistenersthroughtheradiostationsbroadcastingDaPulayPoraydrama.ThephonenumberisalsoadvertisedonatransmissioncardthatisdistributedwidelyintheregionswhereDaPulayPoraydramaisbroadcast.
TransmissioncardofDaPulayPoraydrama
Callsarecontinouslycomingthroughtothisnumberfromlisteners.ManyofthecallsduringthemonthsofMarchandApril2017wererelatedtotheongoingstorylineonInternationalHumanitarianLaw:
• AcallcameinfromGardiGhaus,neartheTorkhamborderwithPakistan,tosaythatthedamagetothemedicalcentreinKandaovillagestruckachordwiththeinhabitantsofGardiGhaus:‘Itmadeusconsciousofthefactthatwedonothaveaclinicatall.Whenoneofusfallssick,wehavetotakeoursickpersontoLandiKotal,ontheothersideoftheborder.’
• MujahidfromNangarharrangintosaythathehadboughtanewradioinordertolistentoDaPulayPorayDrama.WhiletalkingaboutvariouscharactersofDaPulayPoraydrama,hesaidthathewaspleasedwhenZafarKhangotwounded,atthestartofthecurrentIHLstoryline:‘Hereceivedthecome-uppanceforallhisevildeeds.’
• KhalidranginfromRodattosaythatonethinghehadlearnedfromthedramawasthatwherethereisnopeace,therecanbenodevelopment.
• JumaGulofQarabaghwasveryimpressedbytheactionsofKashmala,indeliveringfirstaidandsavingthelifeofZafarKhan,despitethefactthathehadearnedherenmitybyburningdownherhouse.
• SifatullahfromBattikotsaidthatZafarKhanwouldnotlistentoanyone,thatwaswhyhesuffered.
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• RiyazuddinfromRodatwasespeciallyimpressedbytheInternationalHumanitarianLawstoryline.HefeltthatZafarKhanhadreceivedhisjustdesserts:hebeatupthehealth-workers,whohadcometocheckonthepossibilityofreopeningtheclinic.Nowhehimselfwassufferingonaccountofhisactions.‘Thissequenceofeventscontainsapowerfulmessageforallofus.’
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AudienceresearchintoIHLstoryline:
Fortheaudienceresearch,twodistrictswerechoseninNangarhardistrict,andtwoinKabuldistrict.Thedistrictswerechosenwithseveralfactorsinmind:security,coverageoftheradiostationsbroadcastingDaPulayPoraydramaandinKabulamajorityofPashtospeakersbeingpresentinthedistrictscoveredintheresearch.Withthisinmind,twodistrictswerechoseninKabulprovinceandtwoinNangarhar.ThetwodistrictschoseninKabulwereDehSabzandPaghman.DehSabzliesintheeasternpartoftheKabulplateau,whilePaghmanisamountainousregiontothenorth-westofKabul.InKabul,DaPulayPorayresearcherswenttotheagriculturaldistrictofKama,attheconfluenceoftheKunarandKabulrivers,andSurkhRud,tothewestofJalalabadcity.
CentralareasinPaghman,oneoftheareaswheretheresearchwasconducted
Anequalnumberofrespondentswereinterviewedinthecentralareaofeachdistrict–thedistrictcentre–andintheoutlyingparts.Intervieweeswereselectedrandomly,inclusters,usingconventionalclustersamplingtechnique.
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RadioandDaPulayPoraylistenership:
Radiolistenershipwashighinallthedistrictsselectedfortheresearch.
80personswereinterviewedperprovince.InNangarharprovince,apartfromthe80personsinterviewedregardingtheirrecollectionofDaPulayPoraystorylinesrelatedtoprotectionofmedicalfacilitiesandknowledgeofInternationalHumanitarianLaw,eightindividualswhohadbeenselectedforinterviewstatedthattheydidnotlistentotheradioatall.AnotherfivepotentialrespondentssaidthattheylistenedtoArakoziaRadio,butnottoDaPulayPoraydrama.AnothersevensaidtheywerenotDaPulayPoraydramalistenersatall.Thosewhowerenotlisteningtotheradio,ortoDaPulayPoraydrama,werenotinterviewedfurther.Inotherwords,of100potentialintervieweesinNangarharprovince,20wereeithernotradiolisteners,ornotDaPulayPoraylisteners.Radiolistenership,andlistenershiptoDaPulayPoray,wassimilarinKabulprovince,whereninepotentialrespondentssaidtheydidnotlistentotheradioatall.Anotherelevenrespondents,whocountedthemselvesasradiolisteners,saidtheydidnotlistentoDaPulayPoraydrama.Sowecansaythat,inthesmallselectedsample,20percentofrespondentswereeithernotradiolisteners,ornotDaPulayPoraylisteners.Theserespondentswerenotinterviewedfurther.Soofallthosepolled,infourdistrictsofNangarharandKabulprovinces,80percentwereeitheroccasionalorregularDaPulayPoraydramalisteners.Abouthalfofallrespondentsselectedforfullinterview–51percent–saidtheylistenedtoDaPulayPoraydramaeveryday,while49percentwereoccasionallisteners,whotunedintotheradiodramatwoorthreetimesperweek.
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LocalpeopleweremostpleasedtoseeanaudienceresearchteamfromDaPulayPoraydrama,oneoftheir
favouriteradioprogrammes,andofferedtheresearchteamheartfelthospitality
DaPulayPoraydrama,alongwithitssisterprogrammeDaPulayPorayprogrammeisbroadcastonthreeradiostations.ThemainbroadcasterofDaPulayPorayisArakoziaFM,partoftheMobyMediaGroupthatoverseesToloTV–themainTVstationinAfghanistan.ThebroadcastofDaPulayPorayfromArakozia,whichreachesallsouthernandeasternprovincesofAfghanistan,inasouth-westerlytonorth-easterlyarcthatstretchesfromHelmandtoKunar,isaugmentedineasternNangarharbySpinGharradio,andbySpogmairadioinKabul.ArakoziadoesnotbroadcastinKabul,whileineasternNangarhartheirtransmitterhasbeendamaged,henceourrecoursetoSpogmaiandSpinGharinthoseareas.However,inthetwodistrictsselectedfortheresearch–KamaandSurkhRud–Arakoziahasfullcoverage.AllthoseinterviewedinKabulwerelisteningtoDaPulayPorayfromSpogmairadio.GraspofstorylinesonInternationalHumanitarianLaw:
Bywayofintroduction,itwasexplainedtorespondentsthatDaPulayPoraydramadealswithanumberofissues.OneoftheseissuesisInternationalHumanitarianLaw.InternationalHumanitarianLawconcernsthewaywoundedpersons,civiliansandprisonersshouldbetreatedintimesofwar,andhowpublicutilitiesandmedicalfacilitiesshouldbeprotectedfromtheravagesofwar.
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ItwasexplainedtorespondentsthatwewouldliketoaskafewquestionsabouthowtheissueofInternationalHumanitarianLawhadbeendealtwithinDaPulayPoraydrama,andwhatlessonslistenershadlearnedfromDaPulayPoraydrama’streatmentofthesubjectofInternationalHumanitarianLaw.
Forexample,intherecentstoryline,centeringonimplementationofInternationalHumanitarianLaw,ZafarKhanreceivedagunshotwoundintheleg.Therewerethreecrucialfactorshere:forone,thenearbyclinic,whereZafarKhanwouldnormallyhavebeentakenfortreatment,hadbeendamagedinrecentfightingthatcenteredontheareaaroundtheclinic.OneofthepartiesinvolvedinthisfightinghadbeenagroupledbyZafarKhan.Despiteappealstovacatethearea,ZafarKhanstucktohispositioninthevicinityofthemedicalfacility.Predictablyenough,theclinicwasdamagedinthefighting,somepatientswerewoundedinthefighting,andtheorganizationoperatingtheclinicvacatedtheclinic,sincefromasecuritypointofviewitwasnotviableforthemtooperatethefacility.
Then,morerecently,theorganizationresponsiblefortheoperationoftheclinicsentadelegationtoKandaovillage.TheywishedtosurveythesecuritysituationintheenvironsofKandaovillage,withaviewtoreopeningtheclinic.Thisprovedtobeafalsehope,sincethegroupwerekidnappedandbeatenupbyZafarKhan’smen.Itprovedtobeacaseofmistakenidentity–ZafarKhanhadbeenaftersomeotherpeople–buttheharmhadbeendone.Theorganizationobviouslydecidedthatconditionswerenotsuitableforreopeningofthemedicalfacility.
Then,evenmorerecently,ZafarKhancombinedwiththevillageMaliktolaunchanattackonKandaovillage.Inthecourseofthisattack,Kashmala’slearningandactivitycentre,setupforthebenefitoflocalwomen,wasburneddown.KashmalawasfullyawareofallthisbackgroundwhenshedecidedtotreatZafarKhan,andpreventthebleedingfromhiswoundedleg,intheprocesssavinghislife.Kashmala’syoungersister,themorehard-headedZarmina,wasagainstKashmaladoingthis.ButKashmalainsistedthatnowZafarKhanwasawoundedperson.Itwashisrighttobetreated,sosheoverruledZarminaandtreatedhim.
Respondentswereasked,whenZafarKhanlaywounded,whyZarminahadbeenagainstKashmalatreatinghim.Wasit:
1. BecausehehadbeenresponsibleforburningdownKashmalaandZarmina’shousecumlearningcentre,inthecourseofarecentattackonKandaovillage;
2. BecauseZafarKhanwasamanandKashmalaawomanandawomanshouldnottreataman;
3. Becauseheshouldhavebeentreatedbyadoctor,andKashmalawasnotadoctor
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Clearly,thefirstoptionwasthecorrectanswer.Thisanswerwasgivenby80percentofallrespondents,maleandfemale,inbothKabulandNangarhar.12centofrespondentsgavethesecondanswer,andsixpercentthethirdanswer.
Althoughtheaudienceresearchwasquestionnaire-based,hencequantitativeinnature,oneoptionwitheachquestionenabledrespondentstoelaborateonanswerstheyhadgiven,ortogiveanotheranswer.Thisoptiongavetheaudienceresearchaqualitativeelement,inadditiontothesubstantivequalitativenatureoftheresearch.
Featuringinlargepartfemalecharacters,anddealingwithissuesthatareveryrelevantandimportanttowomenfolk,DaPulayPoraydramaishighlypopularamongfemalelisteners,whofeaturedequally,alongwithmen,intheresearch
Herearesomeofthetypicalcommentsofrespondentswithregardtotheabovequestion,whyZarminahadbeenagainstKashmalatreatingZafarKhan:
• ZafarKhanisnotgoodman.Thevillageissufferingbecauseofhisevilactivities.HehasburneddownZarmina’shousethatiswhyZarminawasagainstKashmalatreatinghim.
• KashmalawasaneducatedwomanthatiswhyshetreatedZafarKhanwhenhewaswounded.Zafarisanuneducatedmanthatiswhyhewasinvolvedinvolatileactivities.Asahumanbeingoneshouldhelpothersattimesofdifficulty.Duetolackofawarenessandeducationsomepeopledevelopfeelpangsofrevengeinsuchsituationsandneglecthumanity.ThiswastheopinionofMirwaisinSurkhRudandSalmaninDehSabz.
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• SomelistenersseemedtogoalongwithZarmina’shardlinestance.Forexample,NaginainDehSabzinKabulsaidthatZarminawasagainstKashmalatreatingZafarKhan,‘becausehedeservesnotreatment’.
• Some,suchasMalikShahDostinDehSabzinKabul,feltthatitisnotgood‘forwomentotreatmeninanycase’.ThreewomeninSurkhRudwentalongwiththisandsaidthatKashmalashouldhavewaitedforadoctor,andthatwomenshouldtreatonlywomen,notmen.
• BibiNoorinDehSabzarticulatedwhatmostrespondentsfelt,thatinthepastshebelievedthatpeoplewithabadreputationshouldnotbegivenkindconsiderationbutnowIunderstandthatoneshouldbekindwitheverybody.AnothermaninDehSabzexpressedthesamethoughts:‘ItisgoodthatKashmalatreatedZafarKhan.’
• ThreewomenandtwomenfromSurkhRudechoedthesamethoughts.‘WhenZafarKhanlaywounded,KashmalatreatedhimbecauseKashmalawasaneducatedwomenandsheignoredhisvolatileactivities.Shetreatedhimpurelyonahumanitarianbasis.
• ShekibainSurkhRudsaidthatpeopledonotlikebadpeople,eveniftheyaretheirrelativesTheykeeptheirdistancefromsuchpeople.SoZafarKhan’sattitudeandactivitieswerenotacceptabletothecommunity.
• However,eventhen,bothLaylaandShabnaminSurkhRudsaidthatKashmalawasright:oneshouldnotbeprejudicedevenwithbadpeoplewhentheyaresufferingorinjured.Oneshouldtreatthemonahumanitarianbasis.
• Still,therewasstillsomeresistanceamongrespondentsastowhetherKashmala,beingawoman,shouldhavetreatedZafarKhan.ThreewomeninSurkhRudsaidthatwomenshouldnottreatmen.Kashmalashouldhavewaitedforadoctor.
• HamidullahinSurkhRudwentalongwiththem:‘Womenshouldtreatwomen,notmen.’
• Theideathatwomenshouldnottreatmenwasevidentinpeopleanswers,andbehindthesizeableminorityofrespondents–12percent–whothoughtthatthisfactormusthavebeenbehindZarmina’soppositiontohereldersisterKashmala’sdeterminationtotreatZafarKhan:‘Inourtradition,itisnotniceforwomentotreatmen,’saidMalikShahDostinDehSabzinKabul,andMrs.KhatirainKama,Nangarhar.AnothermaninKamasaidthatfromareligiouspointofview,itwasnotacceptableforawomantotreataman.‘AfghansandPashtoonsdonotacceptthatawomanshouldtreatamaninanysituation,orthatmenshouldtreatwomen.Amanullah,Wahidullah,alongwithMs.KhatirainSurkhRud,wereofthisopinion.‘ItisnotallowedinShariah.Hehastovisitamaledoctor,’addedRohullahandMs.KhatirainSurkhRud.
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• Still,themajorityfeltthat‘weshouldfollowKashmalainthissituation,notZarmina.’(Jawad,SurkhRud)
• WeshouldfollowKashmalaandalwaysbekindtohumanbeings.‘WhenIlistenedaboutKashmala,sincethenIammoreconcernedintakingcareofpeopleincrisis,’aschoolteacherbythenameofMirZamanKhaninKama,Nangarharexplained.‘Ifshedidnottreathim,hemighthavedied,’saidSelgaiinKama(SelgaiKama)
• ThefactthatKashmalawasnotadoctorwasimmaterial,saidamanfromKama.‘Shewasfromaparamedicalbackground.’
• However,asMohammadIsmailinKamapointedout,ifapersonisnotdoctor,heshouldnotprovidemedicaltreatment.‘Insuchcasesaninjuredpersonmaydie.’
Thisledontothenextquestion,thatwhenZafarKhanlaywounded,insteadofbeingtreatedbyKashmala,whydidhenotgotoanearbyclinicfortreatment?Again,threeoptionsweregiven:
• Therewasnonearbyclinic• Therewasanearbyclinic,buttherewasnodoctorthere• Thenearbyclinichadbeenruinedinfighting
Strictlyspeaking,thethirdanswer,thatthenearbyclinichadbeenruinedinfighting,wasthecorrectanswer,and67percentofrespondentsgavethisanswer.However,toacertainextent,answeronewasalsocorrect,sinceirrespectiveofthefactthatithadbeendestroyedinfightingsometwoyearsearlier,thefactofthematterwasthattherewasnownonearbyclinic.19percentgavethisanswer.Another11percentgavethethird,incorrectanswer,thattherewasanearbyclinic,buttherewasnodoctorthere.Justthreepercentsaidtheydidnotknow.
• MeninPaghmanwereawareofthefactthattheclinicinthevillagehadbeenruinedduringfightingandtheperson–ZafarKhan–whodestroyeditwashimselfwasfacingdifficulties,andwasindireneedofmedicalcare.SomeothermeninbothKamaandKabuladdedthenameofMukhtaralso,sincehehadalsobeeninvolvedinthefightingthathaddamagedtheclinic.‘AndtheironywasthatitwasZafarhimselfwhoneededtreatment.’
• OneMissShinwari,inDehSabzinKabul,pointedoutthat,asinthedramatheclinichadbeenruined,thesamewasthesituationinreallife:‘Severalschools,clinicsandroadshavebeendestroyedduringfightinginourcountry.’
• SabirainSurkhRudsaidthatiftherewasnoclinicnearby,thenawoundedpersonshouldbegivenfirstaidtreatmentonthespot.Itisnotgoodforawoundedpersontohavetogoforawayfortreatment.Thismightendangerhislife.
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• ShaziainSurkhRudseemedtohavethingsalittleconfused.ShesaidthatZafarKhanwasfeelingguiltyasheruinedtheclinicandthatwaswhyhewasscaredtogotoclinic.(Infact,thishadbeenthereasonwhyheranawayfromthehospital,asweshallseelateron).Itisnormalforlistenerstomaybeconfuseonefacetofastorylinewithanotherinthismanner.Thisshowshowcloselytheyarefollowingthestorylineandisnottobetakennegatively.
• Similarly,onemaninKamaalsogotthesetwostrandsofthestorylinemixedupwitheachother.HesaidthatZafarKhanhadharassedthemedicalpersonnelandthatwasthereasonforhimnotgoingtotheclinic,whereasinfactthiswasthereasonforhimrunningawayfromtheprovincialcentrehospital,whenhefinallywastakentherefortreatment.
Itisnormalforwholefamilies–likethiskochifamilyinDehSabznearKabul–tolistentoDaPulayPoraydrama
Indeed,thenextquestiondealtwiththispoint:whyZafarKhanhadrunawayfromthehospital,beforehistreatmenthadbeencompleted?Aswithotherquestions,threeoptionsweregiven,oneofwhichwascorrect,whiletheotherswerenotinlinewithDaPulayPoraystoryline.Thethreeoptionsgivenwereasfollows:
• Thedoctorswerenottreatinghim,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues• Zafar Khan had kidnapped their colleagues, so he was afraid that he would be
arrested• ZafarKhanwasnothappywithhistreatment
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Herethesecondoption,thatZafarKhanwasafraidhemightbearrested,wasthecorrectanswerand72percentofrespondentsgavethisanswer.Quiteasizeableminorityofrespondents–17percent–gavethethirdoption,thatZafarKhanwasnothappywithhistreatment,whileninepercentsaidthatthedoctorswerenottreatinghim,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues.MostoftherespondentsstatedthatZafarKhanwasafraidthathemightbearrestedastheclinichadbeenruinedbecauseofhisactions.Soitisthatwhoeverdoesbadthingsinlifealwayshastolivewiththatguiltandfeelinsecure.ZafarKhanthoughtthatthemedicalpersonnelmustbelikehimandmighttakerevengefromhim.Thatwaswhyheranawayfromthehospital.Suchwasthegistofthecommentsofrespondentstothisquestion,someofwhicharementionedbelow:
• AmaninKamasaidthatZafarwasafraidthathemightbekilled,hefeltguiltyashewasawareofhiscrime.
• FivemeninKamasaidthatpeoplewhoarenormallyinvolvedinhostileactivitiesareconsciousoftheirwrongdoingandhaveaguiltyconscience.ItwasthisguiltyconsciencethatledZafarKhantorunawayfromthehospital.
• ‘WhoeverdoesbadthingsinlifealwaysfeelsinsecurelikeZafarKhan,whoevenintheclinichadfearofbeingarrested.’
• AmaninPaghmansaidthatZafarKhanwasafraidashehadruinedtheclinic.
Thefinalquestionthatwasasked,withregardtothestorylineonInternationalHumanitarianLawinDaPulayPoraydrama,waswhythedoctorstoldZafarKhanthathisleghadtobeamputated.
• Hiswoundedlegbecameinfectedduetohimleavinghospitalbeforethecompletionofhistreatment
• Theyhadagrudgeagainsthim,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues• Fromamedicalpointofview,theyweregivinghimthewrongadvice
Here,thefirstoptionwasthecorrectoption.ZafarKhanhadrunawayfromthehospitalbeforehiswoundhadproperlyhealed.Backhomeinhisvillage,thewoundslowlyfesteredandbecameinfected.Amputationwastheonlyoption.
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89percentofrespondentsgavethecorrectanswer.Asmallnumber–8percent–saidthatthedoctorshadagrudgeagainstZafarKhan,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues.
MostpeoplewereclearthatZafarKhan’sleginfectionwasspreadinginhisbody.Fromamedicalpointofviewhislegneededamputation.Therewasnootherwaytosavehislife.Thedoctor’sadvicewasright.Zafarwasabadpersonandthatwaswhyhewaslookingatotherpeoplealsoinanegativelight.Hethoughtthatallpeoplewerelikehim.Doctorsareprofessionalandtreatallthepatientsaccordingly.Theydonotdealwithpeople–patientsinparticular–onthebasisofpersonalenmity.
• SalmanandMirwaisinPaghmanpointedoutthatwhenapersonwrongsanother,hefacestheconsequencesinlife,ifZafarKhanhadbeenagoodpersonhiswoundedlegwouldhavenotbecomeinfected.
• Theinfectionwasspreadinginhisbodyfromhislegthatiswhydoctoradvisedhimtoamputate.
• LayloinSurkhRudsaidthatfromamedicalpointofview,thedoctorsweregivinghimtherightadvice.ZafarKhanhadaguiltyconscienceandthatiswhyhewastakingtheiradvicenegatively.
• TheImamofamosqueinKama–MohammadJan–saidthatadoctorismotivatedbyhumanitarianprinciples.Doctorstreatfriends,normalcitizensandenemiesequally.
Atypicalcluster.ThisclusterisinSurkhRud,Nang
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UnderstandingofInternationalHumanitarianLaw:
Finally,threequestionswereaskedofrespondents,inordertogaugetheirunderstandingofHumanitarianLaw,inthelightoftheconflictinAfghanistan.ThesequestionswereaskedmoretogetafeelingofareasthatDaPulayPorayshouldbecoveringinthefuture,ratherthanmeasuringtheimpactofanyparticularstoryline.
Thefirstquestiontobeaskedinthisregardwas:WhatdoyouunderstandbyInternationalHumanitarianLaw?Aswithotherquestionsposed,threeoptionsweregiven,oneconsideredcorrectwhiletheothertwowereconsideredmoreorlesserroneous.Here,thethreeoptionsgivenwereasfollows:
• Howcantherightsofcivilians,prisonersandwoundedpeoplebeprotectedduringconflict?
• Menandwomenshouldtakeequalpartinfighting• Howcancropsandtreesbeprotectedintimesofconflict?
75percentofrespondentschosethefirst,correctanswer.ThethirdansweralsoexpressedoneangleofInternationalHumanitarianLawandwaschosenby13percentofrespondents.Thesecond,lessdesirableoptionwaschosenbyjust6percentofrespondents.
Manyrespondentsstatedthatwarmustbeavoidedasitalwaysbringsdestruction,displacement,povertyanddisease.Manypeoplebecomehomelessandrefugeesbecauseofwar.Inaconflictsituation,theguiltyandinnocentsufferequally.Peoplewhoarenotinvolvedinhostilitiesshouldbeprotected.Accordingtointernationallaw,vulnerablepersons–women,childrenandoldpeople–shouldnotbeharmed.Cropsandtreesmustnotbedestroyed.Chemicalweaponsshouldnotbeused.
• ‘All the women should take equal part in fighting, asMalalai took part in fightingagainsttheBritish,(onthefieldofMaywandintheSecondAfghanWar).ThiswastheopinionofMalikShahDostinDehSabzinKabul.
• GulistanandMajroohinKamawentalongwithhim:‘Asthiscountrybelongstoall–bothwomenandmen–sobothgendersshouldtakeequalpartinwarorfighting.’
• MirwaisinDehSabzsaidthatthosepeoplewhowerenotinvolvedinwarshouldbemovedorshiftedtoasafeplaceaccordingtoInternationalHumanitarianLaw.
• OnemaninSurkhRudwassceptical.Hesaiditwasjustemptywordsforpeopletosaythattherightsofcivilians,prisonersandwoundedpeoplebeprotectedintimesofconflict.Peopleinvolvedinwardonotcareaboutinnocentpeople.Thesewordsshouldbeputintoaction.Civiliansshouldbeprotectedintimesofconflictaccordingtointernationallaw.
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• IsmailfromKamasaidthattreesshouldbeprotectedintimesofconflictbecausetreespraiseGod.
• Chemicalweaponsshouldnotbeusedduringwar.(LalGul,Kama)• SaeedafromSurkhRudfeltthatanyconflictbroughtdestruction:‘Nooneshould
engageinconflict.’TwootherwomeninSurkhRudagreedwithher:Waristawan–damageanddestruction.Nooneisprotectedfromitsdestructiveimpact.Itmustbestopped.’
• ‘Innocentchildren,women,oldpeopleandgreentreesshouldbeprotectedintimesofconflict,becausetreesarethebeautyofnatureandkeeptheenvironmentcleanandhealthy.’(HayyafromKamaandtwowomeninSurkhRud)
Thenextquestiontobeaskedwithregardtotheobservanceandnon–observanceofInternationalHumanitarianLawwasinthecontextoftheconflictinAfghanistan:Asyouknow,therehasbeenconflictinAfghanistanforalongtime.WhatdoyouthinkabouttheimplementationofInternationalHumanitarianLaw,inthecourseofthisconflict?Thethreeoptionsgiventorespondentswereasfollows:
• Ithasnotbeenobservedatall• Somegroupshaveobservedit,othershavenot• There has been an effort to observe it, but it is impossible to observe IHL with
modernweaponry
62percentofrespondentschosethefirstoption,while25percentgavethesecondanswerthatsomehaveobservedit,andsomehavenotobservedit.10percentfeltthattherehadbeensomeattempttoobserveit,butobservancewasnotpossiblewithmodernweaponry.
• NajibullahinPaghmanpointedoutthatinwartimedifferentfactionskilledeachotherandthemajorityofthewarriorsdidnotrespecthumanitarianlaw.
• Ms.ShinwariinDehSabzagreed.InternationalHumanitarianLawhasnotbeenobserved,amajorityofthewarringgroupsgavetroubleandwerecrueltoAfghansaccordingtotheirpower.
• InternationalHumanitarianLawhasnotbeenobservedduringwarbecauseofsuchmindtrendinnocentpeoplearedying/killing.(Nangarhar,twomaninKama)
• MohammadHasanJan,ImamofamosqueinKama,saidthatsomegroupsdorespectInternationalHumanitarianLaw,whilesomedonot.HegavetheexampleofrecentmassacresinHelmandandKandahar,whereinnocentpeoplewerekilled.
• MohammadIsmailinKamaandMirZamanKhan,ateacherinKama,pointedtoinstancesofsprayingonpeople’scropsintimeofconflict–totheirmindaviolationofInternationalHumanitarianLaw.
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• AfewwomenfolkinSurkhRudandKamasaidthatifInternationalHumanitarianLawhadbeenobserved,thentheircountrymenwouldhavenotsuffered,‘ourinnocentpeoplewouldnothavebeenkilled,andourcountrymightnothavebeendestroyed.’
• AfewwomeninSurkhRudsaidthatInternationalHumanitarianLawhadnotbeenobservedintheircountry.Warhaddestroyedalmosteverything.Manyinnocentpeoplediedandmanywomenbecamewidows,thecountrystillliesinruins.
Finally,withalooktothefuture,thequestionwasasked:Whatstepsshouldbetaken,toensuretheobservanceofIHL?
• Thereshouldbenowar,thatistheonlywayforIHLtobeobserved• Warringgroupsshoulduseancientweapons,thenitwouldbepossibletoobserveIHL• ThereshouldbenoforeigninterferenceinAfghanistan,thenIHLwouldbeobserved
Thefirstoptionwasthemostpopularamongrespondents,with56percentpreferringthisoption.However,asizeableminority–31percent–thoughtthatifforeigninterferenceinAfghanistancomestoanend,thenInternationalHumanitarianLawwouldbeobserved.ThisispartofageneraltrendinAfghanistan,toblameallhostilitiesinAfghanistanonforeigninterferencewhereasinfact,ifAfghanswerenotcomplicitandactivepartnersinthesemachinations,noforeignpowerwouldbeabletoengineerconflictinthecountry.Onlyeightpercentchosethesecondoption,thatwarringgroupsshoulduseancientweapons,thenitwouldbepossibletoobserveIHL.However,thisisalsoasizeablebodyofopinionwhofeelthatIHLcanonlybeobservedifancientweaponsareused.Thisissignificant,particularlygiventhestrongIslamicpositionthatoneisonlyentitledtofightagainstthosewhoareactivelyengagedinhostilitiesagainstyou(Quran,2:190).Withmodernweaponry,howisitpossibletoavoidcollateral,civiliancasualties?Giventhatitisnotpracticaltoreverttoancientweaponry,perhapstheonlywaytoensureobservanceofIHListoputanendtowarentirely?ThesearethekindofquestionsandissuesthatweintendtoraiseinupcomingDaPulayPorayprogrammes.Respondentselaboratedontheirfeelingsalongthefollowinglines:
• MirwaisinDehSabzassertedthattherewasforeigninterventioninAfghanistan,theyencouragedwarringgroupstofightandkilleachother.InternationalHumanitarianLawimpliedtakingtheinitiativetostopwarorconflicts.IftherewasnoforeigninterventioninAfghanistanthentherewouldbenowar.
• Firstofallthereshouldbenowar;ifthereiswar,thewarringgroupsshoulduseancientweaponsthenitwouldbepossibletoobserveinternationalHumanitarianLaw.Non-Muslimsshouldalsoprotecttherightsofcivilians,children,womenand
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oldpeople,health-carecenters,schoolsandwoundedpeople,saidImamMohammadHassanJaninKama,Nangarhar)
• SultanMohammadinKama,Nangarhar,hadanotheroption,thatoneshouldcreateawarenessaboutInternationalHumanitarianLawsothatordinarypeoplecouldunderstanditandpracticeit.(SultanMohammad,Kama)
• ‘ItwouldbepossibletoobserveInternationalHumanitarianLawifwarisstoppedandasolutionwasfoundtointernalconflictstobringpeaceinthecountry.Waronlybringsdestruction.(MirZamanKhan,teacherinKama)
• LaylainSurkhRudthoughtthatoneshouldstartfromoneself,dohardworkforpeaceandobservanceofIHL,thenitwouldbeobserved.
• SalgayinSurkhRudthoughtthatifpeoplestudiedtheQuranandreligionproperlythentheywouldunderstandthatwarwasabadthing.
• BasirainSurkhRudfeltthattheentireproblemwasduetowar,howcouldsomeoneimplementInternationalHumanitarianLawwhenrocketsandmissileswerebeingfired?
• TheideathatthewholeproblemwasbecauseofforeigninterferencewasarticulatedbyGul,inKama.HethoughtthatInternationalHumanitarianLawcouldonlybeobservedifforeignandPakistaninterferenceinAfghanistanstopped.
• MirwaisinDehSabzalsoechoedthis:foreignersinterfereinAfghanistan,andmotivatepeopletokilleachother,ifwarstoppedthenInternationalHumanitarianLawwouldbeobserved.
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Radiolistenership:
SinceDaPulayPorayprogrammesarebroadcastondifferentradiostationsinNangarhar(ArakoziaandSpinGhar)andKabul(Spogmai),theoptions–thelistofalternativeradiostations–givenforbothKabulandNangarharweredifferent.Respondentswerealsoencouragedtomentionotherpreferredradiostations.InKabul,ofthethreeoptionsmentioned–Shiba,ShamshadandSpogmai–theradiostationbroadcastingDaPulayPorayprogrammes,SpogmaiFM,wasthemostpopular,beingthepreferredchoiceof50percenttorespondentsinKabul.Theotherradiostationsmentioned,Shamshad(31percent)andShiba(16percent)werecomparativelylesspopular.
InNangarharalso,themainbroadcasterofDaPulayPorayprogrammes,ArakoziaFM,wasthemostpopularradiostationwithlisteners,beingthepreferredchoiceof48percentofrespondents.Theothertwomentionedoptionswerecomparativelylesspopular,withsixpercentoptingforSpinGharand10percentforInikas.SpinGharisalsobroadcastingDaPulayPorayprogrammes,butsinceSpinGharbroadcastsfortheten/elevendistrictsthatcompriseeasternNangarhar,andtheresearchwasconductedinSurkhRudinwesternNangarhar,wherethesignalofSpinGharRadioisnotevenaudible,andKama,thelistenerstoSpinGharlistedinthisresearchwerecomparativelyless.
Listenershiptointernationalradiostations,longthestalwartofradiolistenershipinAfghanistan,remainshigh,butwhereastheseradiostationsusedtohaveamonopolyonradiolistenership,nowtheyareoperatinginalevelplayingfield,alongwithlocalradiostations.InKabul,thereisstillconsiderablelistenershiptoRadioAzadiandBBC,thetwointernationalradiostationsthatAfghanstraditionallytuneintofornews.RadioArman,thesisterstationofthemainbroadcasterofDaPulayPoraydrama,ArakoziaFM,hashighlistenershipamongbothmenandwomen.RadioArmanisfamousforitsmusicoutput,butalsohasanumberofotherpopularprogrammes,includingitsbreakfastshow.
Educationandageofrespondents:
Therespondentswerechosenrandomly,sotheeducationlevelofrespondentswouldseemtobeindicativeoftheeducationlevelgenerally,atleastinthedistrictswheretheresearchwasconducted.Asexpected,thosewhosaidtheyhadnoeducationwerehigheramongwomen(56percent)thanmen(26percent).15percentofallrespondentssaidthattheyhadreligiouseducation,thoughthelevelofreligiouseducationwasnotspecified.Duetothisfactor,thenumberofwomensayingtheyhadreligiouseducation–14percent–wasalmostashighasthenumberofmenwithreligiouseducation–15percent.