AfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganization

AfghanistanRightsMonitor:BaselineReport

April2016ProjectReport

www.appro.org.af

1

AcknowledgementsThisreportwasmadepossiblethroughfundingfromMinistryofForeignAffairs,TheNetherlands.APPROwishestoexpressitssincerethankstoallthosewhoagreedtoparticipateinthisbaselineassessment.AbouttheResearchersTheresearcherswhoworkedonthisreportwere(inalphabeticalorder):FarebaAuob,EnayatBashardost,SamadEbrahimi,MohammadEwaz,SifullahHayat,DanaHolland,NafasGullKarimi,EhsanullahKhalili,FatimaKhavari,LucileMartin,Marzia.Naqebullah,FawziaNoori,LilomaNoori,MahmoodOmar,SaeedParto,ZahraQasemi,BaryalaiQayoumi,MarziaRahmani,MohammadAnwarRahimi,EhsanSaadat,MohammadSabir,ZarghonaSaify,LemaSakhizai,FarashtaWakili,AhmadYasir,IsmailZahid.DanaHolland,LucileMartin,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.afAPPROtakesfullresponsibilityforallomissionsanderrors.©2016.AfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganization.Somerightsreserved.Thispublicationmaybestoredinaretrievalsystemortransmittedonlyfornon-commercialpurposesandwithwrittencredittoAPPROandlinkstoAPPRO’swebsiteatwww.appro.org.af.Anyotheruseofthispublicationrequirespriorwrittenpermission,whichmaybeobtainedbywritingto:mail@appro.org.af

www.appro.org.af

2

ListofAbbreviationsACCI AfghanistanChamberofCommerceandIndustryAIDS AcquiredimmunedeficiencysyndromeAISA AfghanistanInvestmentSupportAgencyAIHRC AfghanistanIndependentHumanRightsCommissionAJSC AfghanistanJournalists’SafetyCommitteeALP AfghanLocalPoliceANP AfghanNationalPoliceAOG ArmedOppositionGroupAPPRO AfghanistanPublicPolicyResearchOrganizationBHC BasicHealthCenterCEDAW ConventiononEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationAgainstWomenCHC ComprehensiveHealthCenterCSO CivilSocietyOrganizationCSO CentralStatisticsOfficeDOPH DirectorateofPublicHealthDOWA DirectorateofWomen’sAffairsEUI EuropeanUniversityInstituteEVAW EliminationofViolenceAgainstWomenFAO FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNationsFGD FocusgroupdiscussionFRU FamilyResponseUnitHMIS HealthManagementInformationSystemoftheMinistryofPublicHealthIDP InternallyDisplacedPersonILO InternationalLaborOrganizationMOI MinistryofInteriorMOJ MinistryofJusticeMOPH MinistryofPublicHealthMOWA MinistryofWomen’sAffairsNAPWA NationalActionPlanForWomenofAfghanistanNGO Non-GovernmentalOrganizationOHCHR UnitedNationsHumanRightsOfficeoftheHighCommissionerSTD SexuallyTransmittableDiseaseUN UnitedNationsUNAMA UnitedNationsAssistanceMissioninAfghanistanUNICEF UnitedNationsChildren’sEmergencyFundUNESCO UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganizationVAW ViolenceagainstwomenWFP UnitedNationsWorldFoodProgram

www.appro.org.af

3

TableofContents

ExecutiveSummary ................................................................................................................ 5

1.Background......................................................................................................................... 9LegalFrameworkofFundamentalRightsinAfghanistan ................................................................ 10CurrentChallengesforHumanRightsinAfghanistan...................................................................... 12RightsMonitoringEffortsinAfghanistan........................................................................................ 15

2.ObjectivesandMethodology ............................................................................................ 16ScopeandSample .......................................................................................................................... 17Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 19ResearchLimitationsandChallenges.............................................................................................. 19

3.FindingsFromtheProvinces ............................................................................................. 21Balkh.............................................................................................................................................. 22

CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................23SocialRights........................................................................................................................................26EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................29

Bamyan.......................................................................................................................................... 30CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................30SocialRights........................................................................................................................................34EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................37

Daikundi ........................................................................................................................................ 39CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................39SocialRights........................................................................................................................................42EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................46

Herat.............................................................................................................................................. 47CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................48SocialRights........................................................................................................................................50EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................52

Kabul ............................................................................................................................................. 54CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................55SocialRights........................................................................................................................................59EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................62

Kandahar ....................................................................................................................................... 64CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................65SocialRights........................................................................................................................................68EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................70

Khost ............................................................................................................................................. 72CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................73SocialRights........................................................................................................................................75EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................78

Kunduz........................................................................................................................................... 79CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................80SocialRights........................................................................................................................................83EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................85

www.appro.org.af

4

Nangarhar...................................................................................................................................... 87CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................88SocialRights........................................................................................................................................92EconomicRights .................................................................................................................................96

Nimruz ........................................................................................................................................... 97CivicRights..........................................................................................................................................98SocialRights......................................................................................................................................100EconomicRights ...............................................................................................................................103

4.SurveyFindings............................................................................................................... 104CivicRights................................................................................................................................... 104SocialRights................................................................................................................................. 106EconomicRights ........................................................................................................................... 112

5.SynthesisofFindings....................................................................................................... 114CivicRights................................................................................................................................... 114

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson......................................................................114RighttoaFairTrial............................................................................................................................114Children’sRights ...............................................................................................................................115RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs .................................................................................................115RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression ...................................................................................115

SocialRights................................................................................................................................. 116RighttoHealth..................................................................................................................................116RighttoAdequateHousing...............................................................................................................116FoodSecurity ....................................................................................................................................117RighttoEducation ............................................................................................................................117FamilyRights.....................................................................................................................................117

EconomicRights ........................................................................................................................... 118

Appendix1:HumanRightsMonitoringinAfghanistan........................................................ 121

Appendix2:ARMRightsPillars ........................................................................................... 122

Appendix3:ListandDefinitionofCodes............................................................................. 123

Appendix4:RevisedMonitoringIndicatorsandProxies...................................................... 124

www.appro.org.af

5

ExecutiveSummary

HumanandfundamentalrightshavebeenprominentfeaturesofinternationalsupporttoAfghanistansince2001.ThelegalframeworksupportingfundamentalrightsinAfghanistanisextensiveandincludesthe2004AfghanConstitutionandnumerousassociatedlaws.TheConstitution’spreamblereferencescommitmenttotheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR)whileChapterTwodelineatesthe“fundamentalrightsanddutiesofcitizen”in38articlesincludingequality,freedomfromdiscrimination,dueprocessandjustdetentionandsearchprovisions,freedomofexpression,freedomofassociation,freedomtopeacefullydemonstrate,freedomofmovement,therighttoeducation,therighttowork,andtherighttohealthcare,amongotherprovisions.Inaddition,Afghanistanisapartytonumerousinternationalhumanrightstreatiesandconventionsencompassingarangeofareasofgovernanceincludingcivil,political,economic,social,andculturalrightsaswellasareasofspecialconcernsuchasracialdiscrimination,thetreatmentofrefugees,civiliansinwar,andtherightsofchildren.Atthesametime,therehavebeennumerouschallengestofundamentalrightsimplementationinAfghanistanandunevenprogressindifferentpartsofthecountry.Concernovertheimplementationofrights,especiallythoseofwomen,minorities,displacedgroups,andchildrenhavemountedrecentlyinthecountryasthenewlyelectedgovernmentledbyPresidentAshrafGhani’sendeavorstobolstertheeconomy,fightinsurgencyandcriminality,anddealwithimpunityandcorruption,amongotherpriorities.AfghanistanRightsMonitor(ARM)wasdesignedtosupportinformedpolicyandactiononfundamentalrightsprotectionandpromotionthroughresearch,constructiveadvocacy,andincreasedcapacityofpublicinstitutions.ARMispremisedontheideathatinstitutionalizationoffundamentalrightsinAfghanistan’ssystemofgovernancemustfilterintotheeverydaypracticesofbothgovernmentandcivilsocietyactors.ThisbaselineassessmentlaunchestheARMprojectbyestablishingastartpointformonitoringchangesinfundamentalrightsconditionsovertheperiodOctober2015–April2018.Thisbaselinereportandsubsequentfour-monthlymonitoringreportscover10provinces(29districtsintotal),selectedtorepresentthediversityofconditionsthroughoutthecountry.“FundamentalRights”areconceptualizedbroadlytoincludeCivic(governance,politicalrights,andfreedomofexpression),Social(health,foodsecurity,education,andfamilyrights),andEconomic(righttoworkandprotectionatwork).Thecrosscuttingthemesrunningthroughthesethreepillarsaregenderrelationsandcorruption.ThecommencementoftheARMprojectcoincideswithaheightenedsenseofinstability,insecurity,anduncertaintyinAfghanistan.Theprolonged2014AfghanPresidentialelectioncoincidedwiththeconclusionoftransferoftheresponsibilityfornationalsecurityfrominternationaltoAfghansecurityforces.Securityacrossthecountryhasbeendeterioratingsincelate2015.Armedoppositiongroups(AOGs)arenowasignificanttomoderatethreatinanumberofAfghanprovinces.Theyear2015witnessedthemostlossoflifeamongAfghansoldiersandcivilianssince2001.Theeconomyhasbeenweakeneddue,toamajorextent,tothedepartureofinternationalsecurityforcesattheendof2014,areductioninthenumberandvolumeofdonor-supportedhumanitarianandaidprograms,andthelossofassociatedeconomicsupportactivitiesformilitarybasesandauxiliaryservices.

www.appro.org.af

6

Inthepopularview,notionsofhumanrightsanddemocracyremainverymuchassociatedwithwesternvaluesandaforeignimposition,inextricablyassociatedwithunfetteredfreedomsthatmayruncontrarytothevaluesetsofthemoreconservativesegmentsoftheAfghansociety.Women’srights,inparticular,areoftenviewedwithsuspicionandseenaspromotinganassertiveindividualismamongwomenthatthreatensfamilyandtraditionalconservativevalues.Thefindingsreportedinthisbaselineassessmentrevealagreatmanysimilaritiesacrossprovinces,withsomeconsistentdifferencesbetweenprovincialcentersanddistricts,andsomeuniquechallengestorightsimplementationinparticularprovincialsettings.Civicrightsmonitoringfocusedonsecurity,freedomfromabusebypolice,andcommunityviolence.Theoverallsecuritysituationisconsideredgood,exceptintheprovincesofKunduzandNangarhar.Withsomeimportantqualifications,thereisgeneralsatisfactionwiththeperformanceoftheAfghanNationalPolice(ANP),whichisseentocontributetomaintainingsecurity.KunduzandKandaharbothhaveAfghanLocalPolice(ALP)inthedistricts.WhileinKunduztheALPareviewedasasourceofillegalactivitiesandrightsviolations,theoppositeholdsinKandahar,wheretheALP’spresenceisvalued.Driversofcommunityviolenceacrossallprovincesaresimilarlygroundedincontendingclaimstolandandwaterrights.Landrightsdisputesoccurduetocontestedornonexistentlanddeeds,usurpationofgovernmentlandsandoflandsoffamilieswhohavereturnedfromexile.Landdisputescanturnviolentandoftenremainunresolvedformanyyears.Waterrightsdisputesarerootedinbreachesoftraditionalwaterdistributionagreements,usurpationofcommonwaterforsale,andthedisrepairofcanalsandducts.Women’sinheritancerightstolandareroutinelyignoredandwomenseldomdemandorreceivelandtitles,ormonetarycompensation,forlandstowhichtheyareentitled.Thereareahostofproblemsassociatedwithboththeformalandtraditionaljusticesystems.Therightsassociatedwithaccesstojusticeareroutinelycompromisedbycorruption,nepotism,anddiscriminationbasedonethnicityandgender.Honestjusticeofficialswhodonotengageincorruptioncanbesubjecttoexternalpressureandthreatsbythepowerful,governmentofficialsandAOGsalike.Notably,thereisaconsiderableamountofinteractionbetweentheformalandtraditionaljusticesystems,withpoliceorgovernmentcourtssometimesreferringcasestothetraditionalsystem,andcasesthatcannotberesolvedthroughtraditionalmechanismsbeingreferredtotheformalsystem.Thereisalsoanarrayofjusticeentitiesespeciallyintheformalsystemthatpeopleareawareof.Itisnotclear,however,whetherthereareclearlinesofjurisdictionandauthority–andawarenessofthese–evenwithintheformalsystem.Persistentandincreasingpovertyandunemploymenthaveresultedinwidespreadchildlaborinanumberofprovinces.Someformsofchildlaborsuchastraditionalapprenticeshiparrangements,appeartoadheretosomebasicrightsfortheworkingchildren.Otherforms,includingheavyphysicalworksuchasbrickmakingorhauling,requirelonghoursandclearlyviolatechildren’srights.Thereisnouniformawarenessofthelawasitpertainstochildren,particularlychildlaborandchildren’srightstoeducation.Findingsalsoindicatesomeambiguityaboutwhatconstitutesviolenceagainstchildrenoraviolationofchildren’srights.Amongallfundamentalrights,thecivicrighttovoteisthemostcommonlyunderstood.Thereappearstobeagenuinebeliefthatvotingisademocraticrightofallcitizens.Thereiswidespreaddisappointmentaboutthe2014PresidentialElectionsandmanyfeelthatspecificreforms,suchaselectronicvotingcardsandbetteroversight,willbenecessaryforfutureelections.

www.appro.org.af

7

Freedomofexpressionisgenerallyassociatedwith“outspokenindividuals”who“exposethetruth.”Theseindividualsfacerisk,andcanbesubjecttothreatsandworsebythepowerful.Outspokenwomenfacetheadditionalriskofbecomingaccusedofmoralcorruption,achargeconsidered“worsethandeath”bymanywomen.ThereislittleawarenessoruseoftheAccesstoInformationLaw.Accessinginformationfromgovernmentalentitiesispossiblemostlythroughcontacts.Thestandardresponsebygovernmentofficialstothosewhoseekgovernmentinformationisrefusal,usuallyongroundsthatiftheinformationisinaccurate,orcouldbeusedagainstthegovernment,thegovernmentofficialsreleasingitcouldgetintotrouble.Socialrightsfocusesonhealthcare,foodsecurity,education,infrastructure,andfamilyrights.Therearevaryingdegreesofaccesstohealthcareinallprovinces.Accessisinsufficient,particularlyinruralareas.WithafewexceptionsinpopulatedurbancenterssuchasKabul,thequalityofhealthcareispoorduetoashortageofprofessionalstaff,insufficientinfrastructure,andinsufficientorinadequatemedicine.Thereisalsoasignificantamountofcorruptioninhealthcareprovision.Accesstoeducationhasapatternsimilartoaccesstohealthcare.Whiletherearevaryingdegreesofaccess,therearealsoinsufficientnumbersofteachers,particularlyfemaleteachers.Thereisinsufficientinfrastructureandfacilitieswithmanyschoolsholdingclassesinopenairortents.Mostschoolsareovercrowded.HeightenedAOGactivityhasresultedintheclosingofschoolsinsomeprovincessuchasKunduz.InNangarhar,internallydisplacedpersons(IDPs)facedifficultiesaccessingeducationandarethought,bythehostcommunities,tobeaddingadditionalloadtothealreadyover-stretchedschoolsystems.Atthesametime,povertyandtraditionalcustomsfurthercompromisechildren’saccesstoeducation,withfamilylimitationsongirls’education,especiallybeyondthe6thgrade,inmanycommunities.Povertysometimesresultsinboysbeingwithdrawnfromschooltoworkandhelpoutwithfamilyexpenses.Corruptionisalsopresentinseveralformsintheeducationsystem.Familyrightsareunderminedbydisputesaroundinheritanceandnon-paymentofalimonyordowry.Otherfactorsunderminingfamiliesarepovertyandlossofemployment,andaddictiontonarcotics.Therearenumerouspotentialviolationsofwomen’srightsincludingbeating,restrictedmobility,forcedwork,forcedpolygamy,denialofeducation,forcedandearlymarriage,baad,badal,abandonment,denialofdivorce,andpublicharassment.InBalkh,Bamyan,andKunduztheperpetratorsofviolenceagainstwomenarenotjusthusbands,butalsomothers-in-lawandbrothers.DivorceisbecomingmorecommoninseveralprovincessuchasDaikundi,Balkh,Nimruz,andBamyan.Unresolvedfamilydisputesbetweenhusbandsandwivesaretypicallytakentocommunityelderswhomediatearesolution.Failuretoreacharesolutionmayresultintakingcasestotheformaljusticesystem.Acontractingeconomy,dearthofemploymentopportunities,uncertaintyandinsecurity,andcorruptionplaguethefulfillmentofeconomicrights.Acrossallprovincesthereareincreasingnumbersofrelativelywell-educatedbutunemployedyouthandadults.Thoseemployedtendtofeelinsecureintheirpositions.Accesstomanyjobsisthroughconnectionsorbribes.WithsomeexceptionsinlargerpopulationcenterssuchasKabul,womencanonlyhavethesupportoftheirfamiliesforworkingasteachersorhealthworkers.Therearereportsofwomenbeingharassedatworkandoutsidethehomemoregenerally.Thisbaselineassessmentcoincideswitharecordhighincidenceofconflict-induceddisplacementandanalarmingnumberoffoodinsecurepeopleinAfghanistan.TheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR)estimatesthat335,400individuals,representing52,350families,havebeendisplacedinthelate2015/early2016recordingperiod,representinganincreaseof78percentovertheprevious

www.appro.org.af

8

year.Thirty-oneofAfghanistan’s34provinceshostIDPs,withrecordhighnumbersresidinginpartsofthecountryunaccustomedtosuchdisplacements.NangarharhasexperiencedcontinuousdisplacementinandaroundJalalabadandSukhruddistrictsduetoconflictbetweenAOGfactions.Kandahar,Nimruz,Kunduz,andKabulprovincesalsohostnumerousdisplacedfamilies.Povertyandunemploymenthaveresultedinalarmingratesoffoodinsecurity.ThetotalnumberofseverelyandmoderatelyfoodinsecureindividualsinAfghanistanwasestimatedataround8,870,000in2015duringthepre-harvestperiod.Theportionofseverelyfoodinsecurepeoplewhohavealreadyexhaustedtheircapacitytocopewithemergencieshasincreased,resultinginforcedsaleoflandandotherassets,earlymarriagesofgirls,andtakingchildrenoutofschoolandsendingthemtowork.Female-headedhouseholdsarealmost50percentmorelikelytobeseverelyfoodinsecure,havingamuchpoorerdietthantheirpeers,andamuchlowerincome.

www.appro.org.af

9

1.Background

Fundamentalandhumanrightsareinherentintheestablishmentofdemocracyincountriesinpoliticaltransitionfromconflictandautocracy.Fundamentalrights,understoodashumanrightsintheirconcreteform,promoteequalityandexpandthescopeofwelfareandopportunityindemocraticsocieties.1Theyarethereforeinextricablylinkedtodevelopmentandpoliticalstabilitybecausetheybolstercitizens’abilitiestoprosperandholdgovernmenttoaccount.2However,evidencefromnumerousnationalsettingsaroundtheworldpointstotheneedtobroadenthescopeofrightspromotionandactivismbeyondagreementsandcriticalassessmentstotheprovisionandsupportofactiveassistancefortransitionalsocietiesinthereconstitutionofacivicandpoliticalordernecessarytoaccommodateandadvancefundamentalrightsandequalityforall.3Inotherwords,thereisgrowingrecognitionthatputtingfundamentalrightsintopracticeinpeople’severydaylivesrequiresmorethantheadoptionoflegalframeworksandformalgovernmentcommitments.InAfghanistan,humanrightsandfundamentalrightshavebeenaprominentfeatureofgovernanceandinternationalsupportsincethepost-TalibanestablishmentoftheIslamicRepublicofAfghanistan.However,likeothercountriesundergoingpoliticaltransition—especiallyinsettingsexperiencingpersistentconflictandgrapplingwithextremepovertyandunderdevelopmentasisthecaseinAfghanistan—therehavebeennumerouschallengesinimplementingfundamentalrightsandunevenprogressindifferentpartsofthecountry.Concernovertheimplementationofrights,especiallythoseofwomen,minorities,displacedgroups,andchildren,havemountedrecentlyinAfghanistanastheNationalUnityGovernmentledbyPresidentAshrafGhaniendeavorstobolstertheeconomy,fightinsurgencyandcriminality,anddealwithimpunityandcorruption,amongotherpriorities.4TheAfghanistanRightsMonitor(ARM)projectwasdesignedin2015tosupportinformedpolicyandactiononfundamentalrightsprotectionandpromotionthroughresearch,constructiveadvocacy,andincreasedcapacityofpublicinstitutions.ARMisbasedonthepremisethatfundamentalrightsmustfilterintotheeverydaypracticesofbothgovernmentandcivilsocietytohaverealandsustainableimpactonimprovingpeople’slives.

1Theterms“fundamentalrights”werepreferredtothoseof“humanrights”inthisreport.Whilethetermsareoftenusedinterchangeably,thenotionof“fundamentalrights”enhancesrightsintheinstitutional,social,economic,legalandethical-politicalspaces,while“humanrights”haveanabstractmoralconnotation.Onthedistinctionbetweenfundamentalrightsandhumanrights,seeforinstancePalombella,G.(2006)“FromHumanRightstoFundamentalRights.ConsequencesofaConceptualDivision”,EUIWorkingPaperLAWNo.2006/34,40p.availableat:http://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/6400/LAW-2006-34.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.Theperceptionof“humanrights”asaforeignimpositionintheAfghancontextisdiscussedtheMethodologyandObjectivessectionofthisreport.2SeeforexampletheEuropeanMission,DemocracyandHumanRightsathttp://www.eidhr.eu/democracy-human-rights-development;andtheIcelandicHumanRightsCenter,HumanRightsandDevelopmentathttp://www.humanrights.is/en/human-rights-education-project/human-rights-concepts-ideas-and-fora/human-rights-in-relation-to-other-topics/human-rights-and-development3Hesse,Carla,andPost,Robert.(Eds)(1999).HumanRightsinPoliticalTransition:GettysburgtoBosnia.NewYork:ZoneBooks.4SeetheCouncilonForeignRelations,theRoadAheadforAfghanistan:AConversationwithPresidentAshrafGhaniathttp://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/road-ahead-afghanistan/p36304;andDW,AshrafGhani:“ThisisPartofourShame”athttp://www.dw.com/en/ashraf-ghani-this-is-part-of-our-shame/a-18894203.

www.appro.org.af

10

ThisBaselineAssessmentlaunchestheARMproject.Thefindingsinthisreportwillbeusedtotrackgovernmentandcitizens’practiceoffundamentalrightsoveratwo-yeartotheendof2017.ThisreportbeginswithareviewoftheoverallframeworkforandconditionsoffundamentalrightsinAfghanistan,concludingwithpotentialimplicationsfortheARMproject.Thesubsequentsectionspresentthemethodsusedindatacollectionandanalysis,limitations,andfindingsfromqualitativemonitoringdataandsurveydatacollectedfromARMparticipantsinKabul,Bamyan,Daikundi,Balkh,Kunduz,Nangarhar,Khost,Kandahar,Nimruz,andHerat,foratotalof10provincesand29districts.Severalnationallevelrightsmonitoringissuesarethenreviewed,specificallythestatusofInternallyDisplacedPersons(IDPs)andincidentsofviolenceandthreatsagainstafreepress.Thebaselinereportconcludeswiththekeyfindings,conclusion,andrecommendationsforadvocacy,furthermonitoring,andfutureresearch.

LegalFrameworkofFundamentalRightsinAfghanistan

ThelegalframeworksupportingfundamentalrightsinAfghanistanisextensive.However,similartoattemptsatinstitutingtheruleoflawinAfghanistanmoregenerally,therearenumerouschallengestoimplementingtheselawsandcommitments.Humanrightsaregroundedinthe2004AfghanConstitutionandassociatedAfghanlawsthathavesincebeenadopted.TheConstitutionguaranteesequalityamongcitizensandensuresfreedomofexpressionandassociation.ItspreamblereferencescommitmenttotheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR).Chapter2oftheConstitutiondelineatesthe“fundamentalrightsanddutiesofcitizen”in38articles,includingequality,freedomfromdiscrimination,dueprocessandjustdetentionandsearchprovisions,freedomofexpression,freedomofassociation,freedomtopeacefullydemonstrate,freedomofmovement,therighttoeducation,therighttowork,andtherighttohealthcare,amongotherprovisions.Article58oftheConstitutionestablishestheAfghanistanIndependentHumanRightsCommission(AIHRC),authorizedtomonitor,foster,andprotecthumanrightsinthecountry.AIHRCalsoreceivescomplaintsaboutviolationsofpersonalhumanrightsandprovidesassistanceinpursuingcasesthroughtheformaljusticesystem.NumerouslawsanddecreeshavebeenadoptedbytheAfghanParliamentandtheExecutiveonfundamentalrightsprotectionandpromotion.ProminentamongthesearetheEliminationofViolenceAgainstWomen(EVAW)Law,anumberofpolicinglaws,theLawonGatherings,StrikesandDemonstrations,theMassMediaLaw,theNationalPolicyonInternalDisplacement,andseveralJuvenilelaws,amongothers.5Thepersistentgapthatexistsbetweenpolicyandlawsonfundamentalrightsandtheirimplementationisparticularlyevidentinlawsdirectedatwomenandthedomainofthefamily,whichhaveprovedtobechallengingandcontroversial,withtraditionalnormsandpracticesparticularlyresistanttochange.6

5SeeAfghanMinistryofJusticeLawIndexathttp://www.moj-laws.gov.af/index.php?option=com_aldb&view=legislations&Itemid=174&lang=en;USLibraryofCongress,GlobalLawMonitorathttp://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/jurisdiction/afghanistan/;andInternationalLaborOrganization,Databaseofnationallabor,socialsecurity,andhumanrightslegislationathttp://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.countrySubjects?p_lang=en&p_country=AFG6Schneider,I.(2007),RecentDevelopmentsinAfghanFamilyLaw:ResearchAspects,Asien,104:106-118;Dupree,N.(2004),TheFamilyDuringCrisisinAfghanistan,JournalofComparativeFamilyStudies,35:311-331;UNAMA(2011).ImplementationoftheEliminationofViolenceagainstWomenlawinAfghanistanhasalongwaytogo.

www.appro.org.af

11

ItshouldalsobenotedthatsomeAfghanlawshavebeenarguedtobeincontradictiontointernationalhumanrightsstandards,suchastheNationalReconciliation,GeneralAmnestyandNationalStabilityLaw(theAmnestyBill),whichgrantsimmunityfromcriminalprosecutionofpeopleinvolvedinserioushumanrightsviolationsandwarcrimesduringthecivilwarandTalibaneras,andtheShiaPersonalStatusLawwhich,whileintendedtoaccommodateShialegaljurisprudence,hasbeenstronglycriticizedforitsnegativeimplicationsforwomen’sfreedoms.7Despitetheprovisionsinthelaw,“runningaway”and“homeescapes”(oftenresultingfromforcedmarriageand/orelopement)aregenerallytreatedas“moralcrimes”committedbywomen,asisrape.8InadditiontothewholehostofAfghanlaws,fundamentalrightsarebuiltintoobligationsandprioritiesarticulatedinthecountry’sPovertyReductionStrategyPaper,knownastheAfghanistanNationalDevelopmentStrategy(ANDS),aswellastheassociatedministerialstrategicplansbasedontheANDS.Inadditiontodomesticlawsandthedevelopmentagenda,Afghanistanisapartyto21internationaltreatiesandconventionspertainingtohumanrights(Table1).9Table1:Afghanistan’sTreatyCommitmentstoHumanRights1. Slavery2. Genocide3. PrisonersofWar4. CiviliansinWar5. TrafficinPersons6. PoliticalRightsofWomen7. SupplementarySlaveryConvention

8. RacialDiscrimination9. CivilandPoliticalRights10. Economic,Social,andCulturalRights11. UNRefugeeProtocol12. ILOConvention13813. GenevaProtocolI14. GenevaProtocolII

15. CEDAW16. Torture17. RightsoftheChild18. ILOConvention18219. DisabilitiesConvention20. UNRefugeeConvention21. ILOConvention105

Source:USIP(2014)IncontrasttootherIslamiccountries,Afghanistanhassignedallhumanrights-relatedtreatieswithoutreservation,creatingsomeinconsistencieswithShari’a(Islamiclaw).Article3oftheConstitutionthusstatesthatnolawcanbe“contrarytothebeliefsandprovisionsofthesacredreligionofIslam.”Further,intheabsenceofConstitutionalprovisionsorotherlawsregardinganissue,thecourtdecisionsshouldbeinaccordancewithHanafi(Sunni)jurisprudence.Afghanistanisnot,however,apartytoanyIslamichumanrightsdeclarations,suchastheCairoDeclarationonHumanRightsinIslam.Theonlyknown,publiclyavailable,efforttoassessthecompatibilityofAfghanlawwithinternationalhumanrightsstandardswasundertakenin2002bytheInternationalCommitteeofJurists.10TheCommitteefoundverylittleuseofthethenapplicable1964ConstitutionandwidespreadrelianceonIslamiclawandcustomaryjustice,especiallyoutsidetheurbancentersofKabulandMazar-e-Sharif.Inadditiontogovernment(formalstatutory)law,Islamiclaw,andinternationaltreaties,fundamentalrightsimplementationinAfghanistanisinfluencedbytheprevalenceofrelianceoncustomarylawand

Kabul,Afghanistan:UNAMA;UNAMAandUNHCR.(2010).HarmfulTraditionalPracticesandImplementationoftheLawonEliminationofViolenceagainstWomeninAfghanistan.Kabul,Afghanistan:UNAMA.7ForexampleseeHumanRightsWatch’scriticismsathttps://www.hrw.org/news/2009/04/14/afghanistan-new-law-threatens-womens-freedom8USIP(2014).ShariaandWomen’sRightsinAfghanistan.SpecialReport.Washington,DC:UnitedStatesInstituteofPeace.9SeeUSDepartmentofStateathttp://www.state.gov/documents/organization/236941.pdf10Lau,Martin.(2002).Afghanistan’sLegalSystemanditsCompatibilitywithInternationalHumanRightsStandards,Geneva,Switzerland:InternationalCommissionofJurists.

www.appro.org.af

12

thetraditionaljusticesystemthroughoutthecountry.StatutorylawwasfirstintroducedinAfghanistanunderKingAmanullahintheearly20thCentury,althoughitdidnotsupplantorreplacecustomarypractices.11Customarylawisnotcodified,processesvaryacrossprovincesandtribes,andtherehavebeenfewattemptstodocumentitscontentorjurisdictionalscope.One,albeitoutdated,exceptionisareviewconductedindifferentpartsofthecountrybytheInternationalLegalFoundationin2004.12Importantly,thisstudyidentifiedproceduralandsubstantiveconcepts,andcaseexamples,ofcustomaryjusticepracticedindifferentpartsofAfghanistan,specificallyinSouthernandEasternprovinces,Nuristan,theCentralregion,andtheNorthernregion.OtherstudieshavegeneratedsimilarfindingsontraditionalandcustomaryjusticeinNangarhar,Logar,Herat,Jawzjan,andKabulprovinces.13Itisimportanttonotetwoimportantdifferencesbetweentheformalandcustomary/traditionalsystemsofjusticepracticedinAfghanistan.First,thetwosystemsaregroundedindifferentbasesofauthorityandthereforearesubjecttodifferingappraisalsoflegitimacy.Specifically,theformalsystemisbasedonlaws,rules,andthe(challenged)legitimacyoftheAfghangovernment,whilethetraditionalsystemisbasedoncustomarypracticesandleadersandelders,mostnotablylocalshurasandjirgas(councilsofelders),mullahsandmaliks(communityleaders).Secondly,whiletheformaljusticesystememphasizesretributivejustice,wherebyindividualsareheldaccountableandsanctionedasdictatedbyruleoflaw,thetraditionaljusticesystememphasizesrestorativejustice,whichprivilegesthepromotionofsocialharmonywithinacommunity.Afinal,andcontroversial,componentofthelegalframeworkofrightsinAfghanistanistheLayha,whichisaCodeofConductissuedbytheTaliban.TheLayhaprescribeshowTalibanfightersshouldfight,detailstheirdutiesandobligationswithinthemovement,andinstructsthemonhowtodealwithcitizens,prisoners,andsuspectedspiesandothersopposedtotheiragenda.Revisedthreetimes,everyiterationoftheLayhahasbecomemorepolishedandformal,reflectingtheimageofanIslamicandrule-boundjihadandofaquasi-state,andincludingfamiliaredictsoftheIslamicEmirateofAfghanistan(Taliban)eraofthe1990s.14

CurrentChallengesforHumanRightsinAfghanistan

ThereareahostofissuesinAfghanistantodaythatcreatecontextualconditionschallengingtheprotectionandpromotionoffundamentalrights.Someoftheseissuesareacuteandimmediate,whileothershaveamoreabidingqualitygroundedinrecentorlongertermtrendsinAfghanhistoryandsocialconditions.ThecommencementoftheARMprojectcoincideswithaheightenedsenseofinstability,insecurity,anduncertaintyinAfghanistan.Theprolonged2014AfghanPresidentialelectioncoincidedwiththeconclusionoftransferoffullresponsibilityforsecurityfrominternationaltoAfghanforces.Securityacrossthecountrybegantodeterioratefromlate2015.Armedoppositiongroups(AOGs)arenowasignificanttomoderatethreatinanumberofAfghanprovinces.TheTalibancontrolorcontest70of

11Schneider,2007;Dupree,2004.12Khuram,Karim(2004)TheCustomaryLawsofAfghanistan.Kabul,Afghanistan:InternationalLegalFoundation.13ChecchiandCompanyConsulting.(2005)FieldStudyofInformalandCustomaryJusticeinAfghanistanandRecommendationsonImprovingAccesstoJusticeandRelationsbetweenFormalCourtsandInformalBodies.Kabul,Afghanistan:AfghanistanRuleofLawProject.14Clark,K.(2011).TheLayha:CallingtheTalibantoAccount.Kabul,Afghanistan:AfghanAnalystsNetwork.

www.appro.org.af

13

Afghanistan’s398districts,withadramaticcaptureofKunduzinlate2015creatingamajorpoliticalcrisis.15Overall,2015witnessedthemostlossoflifeamongAfghansoldiersandcivilianssince2001.16ThesecuritytransitionandpoliticaluncertaintyhavealsocoincidedwithsharpdeclinesinpublicsatisfactionwithalllevelsoftheAfghangovernment.17Whilethisispartlyduetorisinglevelsofinsecurity,unemployment,andproblemswiththe2014PresidentialElections,widespreadandgenerallyuncheckedgovernmentcorruptionisalsoacontributingfactor.18NinetypercentofAfghansreportthatcorruptionisaproblemintheirdailylives,mostlyintheformofpayingbribestogovernmentofficialsinordertoreceiveservices.19Amongthemostacutedriversthatunderminefundamentalrightsistheeconomicdownturnfollowingthesecuritytransitionattheendof2014.Therehasbeenadramaticriseinpessimismacrossthecountrydueprimarilytotheinterconnectedissuesofsecurityandeconomichardship.DeterioratingsecurityconditionsandthewithdrawalofmostinternationaltroopsprecipitatedadepartureofmanyinternationalNGOsandreductionsinaidfundingandprojectsacrossthecountry.Insecurityanduncertaintyalsomilitateagainstbusinessinvestment,whichcontinuestobeverylow.Insecurityandeconomicdeclinehavehadparticularlynegativeeffectsonwomenandgirls,whosemobilityandaccesstoservicesandopportunityhave,asaresult,becomemorerestricted.20DespitetheNationalUnityGovernment’spledgestoprotectandextendwomen’srights,boththesecuritytransitionandeffortstoachieveanegotiatedsettlementwiththeTalibanhaveledtomountingfearsthatwomen’srightsandprogressonrightssince2001willbebarteredawayaspartofapeacedeal.Povertyandunemploymenthaveresultedinalarmingratesoffoodinsecurity.Itisworthnotingthatwhiletherehavebeenanumberofinitiativessince2001tostrengthenhealth,education,andjusticesectorsandinfrastructure,foodsecurityremainsamajorissueneedingsystematicinterventionasameanstomovebeyondtheprovisionoffoodaidbyaplethoraofinternationalorganizations.ThetotalnumberofseverelyandmoderatelyfoodinsecureindividualsinAfghanistanisestimatedataround8,870,000duringthepre-harvestperiod.Theportionofseverelyfoodinsecurepeoplewhohavealreadyexhaustedtheircapacitytocopewithemergencieshasincreased,resultinginforcedsaleoflandandotherassets,earlymarriagesofgirls,andtakingchildrenoutofschoolandsendingthemtowork.Female-headedhouseholdsarealmost50percentmorelikelytobeseverelyfoodinsecure,havingamuchpoorerdietthantheirpeers,andamuchlowerincome.21

15SeeThreatMatrix,Talibancontrolsorcontests70districtsinAfghanistanathttp://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/10/taliban-controls-or-contests-70-districts-in-afghanistan.php16SeeBrookings,BloodandhopeinAfghanistan:AJune2015updateathttp://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2015/05/26-isis-taliban-afghanistan-felbabbrown17AsiaFoundation(2015).Afghanistanin2015:ASurveyoftheAfghanPeople.Kabul,Afghanistan:AsiaFoundation.18Gardizi,M.,Hussman,K,andTorabi,Y.(2011).CorruptingtheStateorState-CraftedCorruption?ExploringtheNexusbetweenCorruptionandSubnationalGovernance.Kabul,Afghanistan:AfghanistanResearchandEvaluationUnit.19AsiaFoundation(2015)20APPRO(2015).Afghanistan:MonitoringWomen’sSecurityinTransition,Cycle5Findings.Kabul,Afghanistan:APPRO.21FAOandWFP(2015).FoodSecurityandAgricultureCluster,Afghanistan,availablefrom:http://fscluster.org/sites/default/files/documents/sfsa_2015_final_0.pdf

www.appro.org.af

14

Despitemuchprogressinexpandingaccesstoeducation,includingsignificantincreasesinliteracyrates,with37percentofAfghansbeingliterate,andeducationlevels,with45percentofAfghanshavingsomeformaleducation,Afghanistancontinuestohavealiteracyrateamongthelowestintheworld.22Inadditiontohighilliteracyrates,in2015,justoverathirdofthepopulationwasreportedtolivebelowthepovertyline.23Povertyandilliteracycreateanumberofvulnerabilitiesanddependencies,includingrelianceonquestionablereligiousandcommunityleadersandelitesforinformationandsupport.Localpowerholderssuchascommandersorwarlordscontinuetoexertextra-judicialinfluenceinmanypartsofthecountry,dominatingthepublicsphere,andcapturingandcontrollingthedistributionofgovernmentandotherresourcestothepopulation.Whilethereisgrowingawarenessoftheinappropriatenessofmanycustomarypracticesthatunderminewomen’srights,thepracticesremainwidespreadthroughoutthecountry,despitethefactthatmanyarecontrarytoIslamicvalues.Theseincludebaad,badal,childmarriageandengagement,forcedmarriage,andrestrictionsonwomenandgirls’accesstoeducationandself-improvement.24Theprominenceofdecentralizedandinformalpowermeansthattherearemultiple,contending,andinconsistentsourcesofrulespremisedondifferentsourcesofauthorityandlegitimacyincludingthegovernment,thecustomarysystem,Islam,localtraditionalrules,andthosewithmonetaryresourcesandthuspowersuchascommandersandstrongmen.AfinalpointconditioningtheimplementationofrightsinAfghanistanconcernspublicattitudestoward“humanrights”anditspoliticalcontext,democracy.ForsomeinAfghanistan,democracyisseenasaforeignimposition,inextricablyassociatedwithWesternvaluesandconnotingunfetteredfreedomsthatareseenasimmoralandinconsistentwithAfghannorms,particularlyastheypertaintowomen.25Surveyfindingsshowsignificantdeclinesinpeople’ssatisfactionwithdemocracyasitexistsinAfghanistananddecreasesinpeople’sabilitytoinfluencelocalpoliticaldecision-making.26Women’srights,inparticular,areveryoftenviewedwithsuspicionandseenaspromotinganassertiveindividualismthatthreatensfamilylifeandendangerswomeninsociety.Atthesametime,however,substantialresearchandprogrammingexperienceinAfghanistanhasdemonstratedthathumanrightsandwomen’srightsarereadilyembracedwhentheyareframedwithinIslamandmoreprogressivetraditionalnormsandwhenawarenessandeducationalprogrammingtargetsmen,includingreligiousandcommunityleaders,andnotonlywomen.27TheARMbaselineassessmentreportcoincideswitharecordhighincidenceofconflict-induceddisplacementinAfghanistan,withUNHCRestimatingthat335,400individuals,representing52,350families,aredisplacedforthelate2015/early2016recordingperiod,representinganincreaseof78%overthepreviousyear.28WhenthecountisfinalizeditisexpectedthatmorethanonemillionIDPswillberegisteredinAfghanistan.Thirty-oneofAfghanistan’s34provinceshostIPDs,withrecordhighnumbersresidinginpartsofthecountryunaccustomedtosuchdisplacements.Theageandgender22CentralStatisticsOrganization.(2014).NationalRiskandVulnerabilityAssessment2011-12.AfghanistanLivingConditionSurvey.Kabul,Afghanistan:CSO.23CSO(2015).24Baadisthepracticeofresolvingdisputesbygivingawomanformarriagetoanotherfamily.Badalisthepracticeofexchangingwomenformarriagebetweenfamilies,oftentosolidifystronglinks.SeeUNAMA&UNHCHR(2010).25Larson,A.(2011).Deconstructing“Democracy”inAfghanistan.Kabul,Afghanistan:AfghanistanResearchandEvaluationUnit.26AsiaFoundation(2015).27Seeforexample,APPRO(2015).28UNHCR(2016).Majorsituationofconflict-induceddisplacementinthefirstmonthsof2016.SummarynoteforAfghanistanProtectionCluster.Kabul,Afghanistan:UNHCR.

www.appro.org.af

15

breakdownofIDPsisinlinewithnationaldemography,withlargepercentagesoffemales(49%)andchildren(61%).IntermsoftheARM’sprovincesanddistrictsoffocus,Nangarharhasexperiencedcontinuousdisplacement,includinginJalalabadandSurkhroddistricts,duetotheconflictbetweentheTalibanandISIS-affiliatedgroups.Kandahar,Nimruz,Kunduz,andKabulprovincesalsohostdisplacedfamilies.SettlementsandlandacquisitionareparticularproblemsfacedbyIDPsacrossAfghanistan,inadditiontoemploymentandsecuringlivelihoods.29Asignificantnewdevelopmentinrelationtocivicrightsisjournalistsbeingtargetedbyarmedoppositiongroups.AJSCalsoreportsincreasedthreatsfromsomegovernmentsourcesincludingtheimpositionofstrictcontrolsandinterferenceparticularlyattheprovinciallevelandbysecurityforces.30

RightsMonitoringEffortsinAfghanistan

AnumberofgeneralandareaspecificrightsmonitoringeffortshavebeencarriedoutinAfghanistan.RegularhumanrightsmonitoringinAfghanistanisundertakenbytheU.S.DepartmentofState,theUnitedKingdomForeignandCommonwealthOffice,HumanRightsWatch,AmnestyInternational,UNAMAinconjunctionwithOHCHR,andtheAIHRCwhichismandatedbytheConstitutiontocarryoutannualmonitoring.31TheU.S.DepartmentofStateincludesthewidestrangeofhumanrightsissuesinitsmonitoring.Allofthesemonitoringeffortsfocusonwomenalthoughthereisconsiderablevariabilityinotherareasaddressed,rangingfromaccesstohealthcare,education,andjusticetominorityrights,protectionofcivilians,children’srights,andfreedomofexpression.Ingeneral,thereissurprisinglylittleoverlapamongtherightsissuesmonitoredineachoftheseefforts.(SeeAnnexAforacompletelistingofissuesaddressedineachmonitoringeffort).32SpecificfocusareasofrightsthataremonitoredinAfghanistan,eitherregularlyorintermittently,includewomen’srightsandviolenceagainstwomen,labor,andfreedomofpress.Thestatusofwomen’srightsinlightofthesecuritytransitionhasbeenmonitoredthroughalong-termeffortledbyAPPRO,incooperationwiththeAfghanWomen’sNetworkandCordaid.33TheAfghanMinistryofWomen’sAffairsisresponsibleformonitoringtheimplementationoftheEVAWlaw,recentlyissuingitsfirstreport.34EVAWhasalsobeensubjecttoimplementationmonitoringbyUNAMA,includingaspecialfocuson“harmfultraditionalpractices.”35Afghanistan’sMinistryofForeignAffairsrecentlyissuedaNationalActionPlan(NAP)foritscommitmentsunderUNSCR1325,whichfocusesontheimpactofwaronwomenandwomen’sroleinpeacebuilding.TheNAPforUNSCR1325includesfuturemonitoringandevaluationrequirements.36FreedomofPressismonitoredbytheFreedomHouse,amongothers.37The29PersonalcommunicationwithUNHCRandUNHabitat.30AJSC(2015).FreedomofSpeechandCirculationofInformationintheState-runMediaofAfghanistan.Kabul,Afghanistan:AJSC.31ThisoverviewisnotanexhaustivelistingofrightsmonitoringeffortsinAfghanistan.32Thesemonitoringeffortsdonotprovidearationaleforthehumanrightsareasincludedorexcludedfortheirreporting.NoneoftheseeffortsisexpresslylinkedtoanyAfghanlawsorinternationaltreaties,nordotheyprovideamethodologyorsourcesfortheirassessments.33SeeAPPRO(2015).34MinistryofWomen’sAffairs.(January2014).FirstreportontheEliminationofViolenceAgainstWomenLawinAfghanistan.Kabul,Afghanistan:MinistryofWomen’sAffairs.35UNAMA,2011;UNAMA&UNHCR201036MinistryofForeignAffairs.(2015).Afghanistan’sNationalActionPlanonUNSCR1325,Women,PeaceandSecurity.Kabul,Afghanistan:MoFA.Availableathttp://mfa.gov.af/Content/files/English%20NAP%206%281%29.pdf

www.appro.org.af

16

AfghanJournalistsSafetyCommittee(AJSC),inadditiontoprovidingtrainingandlegalsupporttojournalists,monitorsthreatsandviolationsofjournalists’rights.38TheInternationalLaborOrganizationtracksAfghanlegislationintheareasoflabor,socialsecurity,andhumanrights.39TheInternationalCenterforNot-for-ProfitLaw,throughitsNGOLawMonitor,trackslawandindicatorsconcerningNGOsinthecountry.40AIHRC’sresearchthemesandannualreportingonthetypesanddistributionofcasesofhumanrightsviolationsinthecountryproviderationalesfortopicscoveredandisexplicitaboutthesourcesofinformation,includingtrackingcasesofhumanrightscomplaintsandconductingpopulationbasedsurveys.41InadditiontoAIHRC,thenewlyestablishedHumanRightsSupportUnitintheMinistryofJusticeistaskedwithissuingresearchreportsonhumanrights.42

2.ObjectivesandMethodology

TheGovernmentofAfghanistanhascommittedtoasetoffundamentalrightsinthe2004Constitution.Thegovernmentisalsoapartytonumerousinternationalhumanrightstreaties.Thereisgeneraladmissionandrecognition,however,thatprogresstowardsmeetingthesecommitmentshasbeenslowinsuchareasasviolenceagainstwomen,mistreatmentofchildren,rightsviolationsbysecurityforces,unaccountabilityofformalauthorities,neglectofprotractedlydisplacedpersons,limitationsinfreedomofspeechandpersecutionofdissent,andongoingimpunityforformerhumanrightsviolators,amongothers.43Weakgovernancemechanisms,inadequateaccesstoformaljustice,corruptionintheformaljusticesystem,insufficientinstitutionalizationofvariousprotectivelawsandgapsinknowledgeofrightsviolationshavebeenpointedtoasthemaindriversofAfghanistan’sfailuretomeetitsrightsobligations.44ThisbaselinereportinitiatesComponent1oftheARMproject.Thereportestablishesthecurrentconditions(December2015–February2016)offundamentalrightsin10AfghanprovincesbasedontheprovisionsintheConstitutionandtheinternationallyrecognizedstandardsforhumanrightsmonitoring.TherightsaregroupedunderthethreepillarsofCivic,Social,andEconomicrights.45

37SeeFreedomHouseathttps://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2013/afghanistan38SeeAfghanJournalistsSafetyCommitteeathttp://ajsc.af/39SeeILOathttp://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.countrySubjects?p_lang=en&p_country=AFG40SeetheInternationalCenterforNot-for-profitLaw,NGOlawmonitor,Afghanistanathttp://www.icnl.org/research/monitor/afghanistan.html41SeetheAfghanistanIndependentHumanRightsCommissionathttp://www.aihrc.org.af/home/annual-reports.Forexample,TheSituationofHumanRightsinAfghanistan,SixthReport,1390-91;andTheSituationofHumanRightsinAfghanistanin1393.42SeetheMinistryofJustice,HumanRightsSupportUnitathttp://www.moj-hrsu.gov.af/43AmnestyInternational.(April2014).Toomanymissedopportunities:HumanrightsinAfghanistanundertheKarzaiadministration,Kabul,Afghanistan:AmnestyInternational.

44See,forexample,CommonWealthandForeignOfficeCorporateReport,October2014,at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghanistan-country-of-concern/afghanistan-country-of-concern

45AdefinitionanddescriptionofrightspillarsandrelatedindicatorsisprovidedinAnnexBofthisreport.

www.appro.org.af

17

ScopeandSample

Twenty-ninedistrictsin10provinceshavebeenselectedasmonitoringsites.TheprovincesareKabul,Bamyan,Daikundi,Balkh,Kunduz,Nangarhar,Khost,Kandahar,Nimruz,andHeart(Table2).Theselectionoftheseprovincesisbasedontheexistenceofanactivecivilsociety,strongsocialandtribalnetworks,and/ordonorfocus.46MajorpopulationcenterssuchasKabulCity,Mazar-eSharif(Balkh),Jalalabad(Nangarhar),KandaharCity,andHeratCityarehosttothebulkofcivilsocietyactivityoncivicandfundamentalrightsissues.Thesecentersarethereforelikelytobethemostactivesitesofcontestationsaboutfundamentalrights.TheadditionofKunduz,Khost,andNimruzprovidea“counterfactual”tothesituationsinthemajorpopulationcenters.KhostandNimruz,inparticular,havemaintainedmuchoftheirtribalstructures,offeringopportunitiesforinsightsintotheinterfacebetweenmodernandtraditionalviewsonruleoflaw,humanrights,andwhetherandhowtraditionalstructuresareconsistentwithhumanrights.Conversely,therationalefortheselectionofKunduzisitsincreasingstateofpolitical,socialandeconomiccrisis,withloosesocialandtribalstructuresweakenedbytheinfluenceofpowerholdersandintensifyinginsurgentactivities.Similarly,DaikundiandBamyanarecharacterizedashavingrelativelyactivecivilsocietiesincludingsocialnetworksthatcouldserveasplatformsonwhichtolaunchinnovativeinterventionstofurtherstrengthencivilsocietyandincreasetheaccountabilityofgovernmentinprotectingandpromotingfundamentalrights.Table2providesadetailedbreakdownofselectedprovincesanddistricts.Duetothevolatilesecurityenvironment,theselectionofdistrictsmaybemodifiedtopreservethesecurityofresearchersandavoidadverseconsequencesforinterviewees.Table2:BreakdownofProvincesandDistrictsProvinces DistrictsBalkh Mazr-i-Sharif,Khulm,Balkh

Bamyan BamyanCenter,Shibar,Yakawlang

Daikundi Nili,Shahristan

Herat Herat,Kohsan,Guzara

Kabul KhakJabbar,Istalif,KabulCenter

Kandahar Kandahar,Arghandab,Daman

Khost KhostMatun,Terezayi,Mandozayi

Kunduz KunduzCity,ImamSahib,Aliabad

Nangarhar Jalalabad,Kama,Surkhrod

Nimruz Zaranj,Chakhansur,ChaharBurjak

10Provinces 29DistrictsDatawerecollectedfromthefollowinglocationsandsources.

46Forexample,KunduzisincludedbasedonpressingneedsidentifiedthroughtheMonitoringWomeninSecurityTransition,conductedbyAPPROfromSeptember2012toDecember2014,presenceofanactivecivilsociety,andbeingapriorityprovincefortheDutchEmbassyinAfghanistan.

www.appro.org.af

18

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

Atotalof555individualsparticipatedacrossthetenprovinces.Thisincludes48femalesand72maleswhowereinterviewedaskeyinformantsand229femalesand206maleswhoparticipatedinfocusgroupdiscussions(Figure1).Figure1.StatusGroupingsofParticipants–All10Provinces

Theaverageageofparticipantsrangedfromalowof31yearsinHerattoahighof40yearsinKabul,BalkhandKunduz.Methodsofdatacollectionincludedfocusgroupdiscussions,keyinformantinterviews,surveys,andcollectionofbasicprovincialanddistrict-levelsituationaldatafromgovernmentsourcesandotherswithspecializedknowledgeofdifferentsectors.Datawerecollectedfromworkingmenandwomen,communityleaders,governmentofficials,representativesofmedia,civilsocietyorganizations,andrepresentativesofrightsorganizations.

www.appro.org.af

19

Methods

Semi-structuredindividualinterviewsandfocusgroupdiscussionswerethemaintoolsforthecollectionofprimarydata.Theresearchteamsusedopen-endedguidingquestionsforinterviewswithkeyinformants.Keyinformantinterviewswereheldwithindividualswithspecificexpertise,knowledgeand/orexperienceofhumanrights.Thisincludedlocalgovernmentauthorities(linedepartments,securityforces,justiceofficials),personnelfromcivilsocietyorganizationsworkingonhumanrights,journalists,andothers.Focusgroupsdiscussionsconsistedofbetweensixtotenparticipants.Allinterviewsandfocusgroupdiscussionswererecordedtoensureaccuracy,afterhavingacquiredconsentfromtheparticipants.Incaseswheretheparticipantsdidnotconsenttoaudiorecordings,thefacilitatorstookdetailednotes.Thegroupdiscussionnoteswerereviewed,expandedandvalidatedattheconclusionofeachgroupdiscussion.Aquantitativesurveyquestionnairewasusedpriortothecommencementofeachfocusgroupandkeyinformantinterviewtocollectquantitativedata.Thequantitativedatawereusedtosupplementthequalitativedata,whileprovidingameansfortheparticipantstoexpressopinionsandviewsprivatelythattheymightnothavewantedtodisclosepublicly.Finally,quantitativeofficialdatawerecollectedattheprovincialanddistrictlevels.Localofficialsandotherknowledgeableindividualsprovideddemographicinformationandfundamentalrights-relatedinformationonsuchtopicsascommunityanddomesticviolence,foodsecurity,healthservices,educationalservices,mediaandcommunicationinfrastructure,andaccesstoinformation.

ResearchLimitationsandChallenges

ARMdatacollectioneffortswerechallengedbyprevailingnotionsof“humanrights”asawesternconceptimposedonAfghanistan.Manyappeartoequatehumanrightswithwomen’srightsandaresuspiciousthathumanrightsprojectsandentitiesassociatedwithpromotingorprotectingthemareactingcontrarytoAfghantraditionsandvalues.Otherfundamentalrights,suchastherighttoparticipateinelections,forexample,areseldomviewedashumanrightsperse.TheseviewsareinpartaresultofthefactthatmostrightsawarenessprojectsinAfghanistanfocusonwomenandexcludemen,andhavebeenfundedbyandassociatedwithinternationalorganizations.Forexample,officialsintheGovernor’sOfficeinKhostprovincebecameangrywhentheysawthephrase“humanrights”ontheletterofauthorizationfortheARMproject,tellingtheresearcherthathehadnobusinessinvolvinghimselfwithissuesconcerningwomenintheprovince.47Forthisreason,APPROresearchersinsistedthattheARMprojectwasaboutfundamental,ratherthan“human”,rights.Thetermusedwasthushuqooqassassi(orfundamentalrights)withfullelaborationsoncivic,socialandeconomicrights.48Therewasalsoagreatdealofbureaucracyassociatedwithgainingapprovalsandpermissionstoconducttheresearchintheprovincesanddistricts.Insomeprovincesofficialsdidnotapproveoftheresearch,arguingthatitwouldbringnotangiblelocalbenefit.ThisrequiredsubstantialconvincingonthepartoftheAPPROresearcherstogaintheofficials’support.Inaddition,therewerechallengesin

47InmanycommunitiesinAfghanistanmenviewthemselvesastheprotectorsofwomen,whoareseenasunderthemen’scareandwhorepresentmen’s(andfamily’s)honor.48Itshouldbenotedthatthiswasnotonlyforpracticalreasonoffeasiblybeingabletoconductmonitoringresearch,butalsotoavoidantagonizingparticipantsandendangeringresearchers.

www.appro.org.af

20

gainingthecooperationofsomekeyinformants,particularlyNGOrepresentativesandgovernmentofficials,withsomerefusingtoparticipate.InsecuritycausedbyAOGsandcriminalactivityalsohamperedaccessinsomeprovinces.Formalcollection,recordingandtrackingofinformationattheprovincialordistrictlevelsinAfghanistanisnotfullydeveloped.Assuch,theprovincialanddistrictlevelgovernmentofficialsseldomhadinformationonbasicservicesorthedemographyoftheircommunities.Asaresult,asignificantnumberoftheindicatorsdevelopedforARMhadtobedroppedoradjustedtofittheavailabilityofdata.Thedatacollectedontheindicatoronaccesstoresourcesandinvestment,forinstance,weretoosparsetobefruitfullyexploited.Similarly,dataondisplacedpopulationsweredifficulttogather.Provincialanddistrictauthoritiesprovidedinformationforquantitativeprofiling,butinmanycasestheyeitherdidnothavetheinformationortheinformationprovidedwasnotaccurate.Onepreliminaryfindingfromtheresearchisthatthereisageneralabsenceofprovincialanddistrictinformationondemography,crimestatistics,accesstoutilitiesandsufficiencyofsocialservices.Quantitativedatafromofficialsourcesusedinthisreportshould,therefore,beviewedwithcaution.Forpracticalreasonsdatacollectedonsocialrights,forexample,tendedtofocusonsecurityofpropertyrightstolandandwater,focusinglessonadequacyofshelter.Inotherinstancesspecificrightsweresubjecttolocal/Afghaninterpretations.Forexample,datacollectedabout“familyrights”generallyconcernedwomen’srights.Inaddition,therewassometimesalackofdetailandspecificityaboutdiscriminationalongethnic,religious,ortribal/familiallines,likelyduetothesensitivenatureofthetopicinAfghanistan.Onthewhole,however,researchparticipantswereremarkablyforthcoming.AfinalpointconcernsgeneralizingfromthisresearchonthefundamentalrightssituationtoAfghanistanmorebroadly.Despitethefactthatthe10provincesandtheircentralandruraldistrictswereselectedtoreflectlocaldiversitiesinAfghanistan,wecannotassumethatthefindingsfromtheanalysisofthedatarepresentthewholeofAfghanistan.Inmanyprovincestherearemajordifferencesinthehistorical,linguistic,religious,economic,ethnic,andpoliticalcharacteristicsofthedistricts.Atthesametime,atthenationallevel,findingsfrom10provincesarelikelytoprovidesufficientandreliableinsightsintothegeneralrightssituationinthecountry.AsSection3shows,therearesubstantialconsistenciesinthefindingsacrosstheprovincesaswellassurprisingregularitiesindifferenceswhencomparingthecenterstotheruraldistrictsacrossprovinces.

www.appro.org.af

21

3.FindingsFromtheProvinces

Thissectionisorganizedasfollows.Abriefprofileofeachprovinceandselecteddistrictsisfollowedbythefindingsfromtheanalysisofthedatacollectedthroughinterviews,focusgroupdiscussions,andaquantitativesurvey.ThefindingsarereportedbasedonindicatorsgroupedunderCivic,Social,andEconomicpillarsoffundamentalrights.

www.appro.org.af

22

Balkh

BalkhprovinceislocatedintheNorthofAfghanistanandhasborderswithUzbekistanandTajikistantothenorth.ItneighborstheAfghanprovincesofJawzjanandSar-ePoltotheWestandSouthWest,SamangantotheSouthEast,andKunduztotheEast.TheprovincestretchestotheNorthWestoftheHinduKushrange,withmountainousandsemi-mountainousareasintheSouthoftheprovince,andvastplainsspreadinginitsNorthernhalftowardstheAmuDaryaRiverwhichformsthenorthernborderofthecountry.Waterresourcesarederivedfromtwosub-basinsoftheAmuDaryawaterbasin:theBalkhwaterbasin,whichirrigatesalargepartoftheWestandSouthoftheprovincethroughanetworkofcanals,andtheKhulmwaterbasinintheEast.ThetransportinfrastructureisrelativelywellmaintainedinBalkh.ThemajoraxisofcommunicationistheKabul–Mazar-eSharifhighway.OtherprimaryroadsconnecttheprovincialcapitalofMazar-eShariftothecustompointofHairatanattheborderwithUzbekistantothenorth,andKunduzprovincetotheeast.TwoadditionalpavedroadsrunfromtheprovincialcapitaltothedistrictsofNahr-eShahri,andthroughBalkhdistrictintoDawlatabad,respectively.AfreightrailwayrunningfromHairatantoMazar-eSharifwasinauguratedin2011.Theinternationalairportisintheprovincialcenter,servingflightstoKabul,IranandTurkey.Thereareover1.3millionsettledinhabitantsinBalkhprovinceofwhich37percentliveinurbansettingsand63percentinruralareas.49Datacollectedattheprovinciallevel,however,indicatesthatthepopulationmaybewellovertwomillion.50Overthecourseof2015,Balkhhasreceivedaninfluxofconflict-inducedIDPsfromneighboringinsecureanddisaster-affectedprovinces.Therearenoofficialestimatesofthenumberofdisplacedpersonsintheprovince.ThepopulationofBalkhisheterogeneouswithTajiksandPashtunsformingthelargestgroups,followedbyUzbeks,Hazaras,Turkmens,Arabs,andBaluchis.51BalkhisalsohometoasizeablepopulationofJats,alsoknownasJogiandChoriForush.52Dariisthemainlanguageforoverhalfofthepopulation,andthemostwidelyusedone,followedbyPashtu,TurkmeniandUzbeki.Theprovincehas15administrativeunitsincludingtheprovincialcenterofMazar-eSharif.ThethreeadministrativeunitscoveredforthisreportareMazar-eSharifmunicipalityandBalkhandKholmdistricts.Mazar-eSharifEstimatesofthepopulationforMazar-eSharifrangefrom368,000to693,000.53ApproximatelyonethirdoftheprovincialpopulationisconcentratedinMazar-eSharif.54Astheprovincialcenter,Mazar-e

49CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/389711150StructuredinterviewwiththeProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Balkh,December2015.51Ibid.52SamuelHall(2011),“JogiandChoriFroshCommunities,AStoryofMarginalization”,Kabul.53CSOputsthefigureat368,000.See:http://cso.gov.af/Content/files/Balkh%281%29.pdf.Othersourcesgiveamuchhigherfigureof693,000.See:StateofAfghanCitiesreport(2015)[Volume1,English],availablefrom:http://unhabitat.org/books/soac2015/54MRRD/NABDP(2012),BalkhProvincialProfile.

www.appro.org.af

23

Sharifhasadiverseethnicandlinguisticpopulation.Also,thecityhasbeenreceivingwavesofIDPsfromKunduzwheretherehavebeencontinualassaultsbyAOGssincelate2015.BalkhBalkhCityisthehistoricalheartoftheprovinceandacommunicationnexus.Themajorityofinhabitants(over50%)arePashtuns,followedbyTajiksandHazaras,andsmallminoritiesofUzbeksandAfghanArabs.BothPashtunandDariarespokeninthedistrict.Balkhdistrictisrelativelywellservicedadministrativelyascomparedtootherdistricts,withaDistrictCourtandDirectoratesofWomen’sAffairs,HajjandReligiousAffairs,EnergyandWater,andInformationandCulturethatarenotavailableinthemajority(12outof15)ofadministrativeunitsintheprovince.55KholmThereareover73,000inhabitantssettledinthedistrict,accordingtoofficialstatisticsfor2015,locatedmainlyintheKholmriverwaterbasin.Thevastmajorityofthepopulation,around75percent,isTajik.56Thereare11governmentdirectoratesinthedistrict.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

Withsomeexceptions,citizensaregenerallysatisfiedwiththesecurityconditionsandANP.ThereisnopubliclyavailableinformationabouttheoverallnumbersorgendercompositionofthepoliceinBalkhprovince.SecurityisgoodinMazar-esharifandinneighboringdistrictssuchasBalkhCity.However,Kholmandsomeotherremotedistrictsaresignificantlylesssecureduetorivalrybetweenlocalpowerholders.Atthetimeofresearch,researcherswerenotallowedintoKholmunlessaccompaniedbypolice.Ingeneral,citizens’complaintsaremorevociferouslylodgedagainstinformalpowerholdersthanagainstANP.Ingeneral,thepolicerespondwelltocomplaintsaboutstreetharassmentandprotectgirlsontheirwaytoandfromschool.57Therearealsoreportsofsomepolicepersonnelinsultingschoolgirls,drivingfast,andharassinghawkersandstreetvendersforbribes.Nocasesofabusebylawenforcementofficialshavebeenregisteredintheprovinceoverthelastfourmonths,however.58Communityviolence,mostacutelyinKholm,isgroundedindisputesoveraccesstowaterandland.Thesedisputesarecompoundedbythefactthatlocalcommanders,theirarmedagents,andthewealthy(includingland-owninggovernmentofficials)actwithimpunity.59Resolvinglandandwaterdisputesthroughformaladministrativeprocessesoftenentailcorruptionandlengthydelaysinsettlingcases.Similarly,informaleffortstoresolveusurpedlandthroughinvolvingcommunityeldersissaidto

55StructuredinterviewwiththeProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Balkh,December2015.ADistrictCourtisavailableinDehdadiandDowlatabaddistrictsonly,andDirectoratesofWomen’sAffairs,HajjandAwqaf,EnergyandWater,InformationandCultureinKholmandDehdadidistricts.56CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111.ThebreakdownofethnicgroupswasprovidedbytheDistrictGovernor,inastructuredinterviewconductedinDecember2015.57FGD-F-Bal-Go-5, FGD-F-Bal-Go-4, FGD-F-Bal-Go-3, FGD-M-Bal-CS-2, FGD-M-Bal-CS-158KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP59FGD-F-Bal-Go-4,FGD-F-Bal-Go-5

www.appro.org.af

24

seldomworkandalsomayrequirepayingbribes.60Somewaterdisputesarisefrompowerfulmenup-riversellingwaterratherthanadheringtotraditionalwatermanagementpracticesofallowingthewatertoflowtodownstreamlands.61Despitethehighnumberoflandandwater-relateddisputes,policeheadquartersintheprovincehadnotregisteredanysuchcasesintheperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.Themostnumerouscasesregisteredbythepolicearetheft,trafficinjuriesanddeaths,beatings,drugdealing,andrunningawayfromhome.62

RighttoAccessTojustice

Awidelysharedsentimentisthatformaljusticeinstitutionsgenerallyresolvecasesonlywhenbribesarepaidorwhenpersonalconnectionsareinvolved.Evenwhenauthoritieswanttodecideacasefairly,theycanfacethreatsbylocalorotherpowerholders.Asaresult,legalrulingsaredelayedorsubverted.TheseproblemsaremorepronouncedinMazar-eSharifthanthedistrictsduetothegreaterpresenceofcorruptofficialsandpeoplewithwealthandpower.63Corruptionintheformaljusticesystemisthoughttobenotonlyrampant,butalsointractablebecausetherearenoorfewconsequencesfortheperpetrators:

Inthecourt,theOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral,andtheOfficeofHuqooqcasescantakefromonemonthtofiveyearstoresolve.PeoplepraytoGodnottobecompelledtogotoaformaljusticeinstitution,oranyothergovernmentinstitutionbecausetheyareextremelycorrupt.Forinstanceifyouhaveaparceloflandthatisindisputeandthevalueoftheparcelis100,000USD,youhavetopay80,000USDinbribestoregainit.Courts[actasifthey]areself-governedandnoonecansayanythingtothem.InBalkhdistrict,anindividualwasarrestedforbribery,senttoMazar-eSharifandimprisonedfor2months,thenhecamebackandheisnowagaininhispost.64

Womenareparticularlysusceptibletohavingtheirrightstojusticedenied.Womenseldomhavemoneytopaybribes,havefewerpersonalconnectionstohighplaces,andcanfaceillegitimaterequeststomarryorenterintoinappropriaterelations.65Somecontendthatilliteracyandlackofawarenessoflawsareinparttoblameforinjustices.TheEVAWlawhasmanyprovisionstoprotectwomen’srightsbutthereislittleawarenessofthelegalprovisionsandthereareinsufficientmechanismstoimplementit.66

Children’sRights

Veryfewchildren-relatedcaseshavebeendealtwiththroughtheformaljusticesystem.ThirteencasesinvolvingchildrenhadbeenregisteredbythepoliceheadquartersintheperiodbetweenSeptembertoDecember2015.Sixofthesecasesinvolvedtheft.67

60FGD-F-Bal-Go-561FGD-F-Bal-Go-462KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP63KI-M-Bal-Go-6, KI-M-Bal-NG-2, FGD-M-Bal-CS-1, KI-M-Bal-CS-4,KI-F-Bal-CS-764FGD-M-Bal-CS-2,confirmedbyFGD-F-Bal-Go-365FGD-F-Bal-Go-566KI-F-Bal-PI-1,confirmedbyKI-M-Bal-CS-567KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP

www.appro.org.af

25

Childrenfaceanarrayofrightsviolations,mostnotablydenialofaccesstoeducationandbeingrequiredtoworkdifficultjobs.Workingchildrenarevulnerabletosexualabuse,addiction,developmentaldisorders,andcriminality.Childrenfrompoorfamilies,especiallytheinternallydisplacedandchildrenofmartyrsorthedisabled,arethemostlikelytotakeonlaboringwork.Manybelievethatthenumberofworkingchildrenhasbeenincreasing.68Inresponse,theGovernor’sOfficehasinitiatedachildprotectionprojectthatwillprovideroomandboardandothersupportforimpoverishedchildrentoattendschool,ratherthanwork.69

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Theelectionsof2014areviewedbymanyasnotfreeandunfair.Therearechargesofaninsufficientnumberofvotingcentersanddiscriminationbasedonethnicityduringtheelectionprocess.Also,thereareallegationsthatmorevotingcardsthanthenumberofvotersweredistributedtoenablethepowerfulhavetheirfavoredcandidateselected.Mostfeelthatwithilliteracy,insecurity,andinterferenceofpowerholders,thebestwaytominimizefraudinelectionsistoissuevoterswithelectronicidentification.Formany,electronicidentificationistheirconditionofparticipatinginfutureelections.Some,particularlywomeninKholm,areadamantthattheywouldnotparticipateinelectionsagainbecauseoftheirbadexperienceofthe2014electionsandbecausetheelectedcandidates“havenotdoneanything.”70Therewasalsoauniformviewthataccesstopublicpositionsisnotfair,andthatonlypeoplewithmoneyandconnectionshaveaccesstoemploymentwithgovernment.

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

SeveralkeyinformantsinterviewedinBalkhareuniformincontendingthattheirfreedomofopinionandexpressionislimitedandthatexercisingthisrightcouldresultinthreats,intimidation,slander,violence,orlossofemployment.Manyareafraidto“tellthetruth,”criticizegovernment,ortalkopenlyaboutwhatisgoingonintheprovince.71Forexample,amemberoftheProvincialCouncilmentionsthathewasunderpressurefromthecouncilheadnottopostanypublicstatementsonsocialmediaaboutthesituationinBalkh.InKholm,afemaleemployeeintheEducationDepartmentmentionsthatshewasafraidtospeakupagainstcorruptionbecauseofpressurefromtheDistrictGovernor’soffice.Self-censorshipisthereforehigh.JournalistrepresentativesinBalkhhaveregisteredfourcasesofthreatsorpressureagainstjournalistsoverthelastfourmonthsandtwocasesofkillingsorviolence.Therearenumerousprivatelyownednewspapers(n=9)andradiostations(n=9)operatingintheprovince,inadditiontoonestateownedradiostationandtelevisionstationandtwostateownednewspapers.72

68KI-M-Bal-CS-4,KI-F-Bal-PI-169KI-F-Bal-PI-170FGD-F-Bal-Go-5،KI-M-Bal-Go71KI-F-Bal-PI-1KI-M-Bal-CS-4, KI-F-Bal-NG-1,KI-M-Bal-NG-4,KI-M-Bal-NG-272KeyinformantrepresentingtheAfghanNationalJournalistUnion

www.appro.org.af

26

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Viewsabouttheadequacyofhealthfacilitiesandservices,andpeople’sabilitytoobtaintheirrighttohealtharesomewhatmixedinBalkh.Theprovinceisservedbythreepublicandtwoprivate(women’s)hospitalsand55comprehensiveandbasichealthcenters,withahealthstaffofnearlyathousand.73Whileaccesstohospitalsandclinicsisconsideredgood,thisismoresointhecenterthaninthedistrictswherefacilities,staffing,medicine,andequipmentisinsufficientforthepopulation,accordingtoacommunityelderandothercommunitymembers.74Malefocusgroupparticipantsclaimedthattherearenotenoughfemaledoctors,whoarerequiredbyShari’a—theycontend—toattendtofemalepatients.75Overall,femaleintervieweesinthecenter,Mazar-i-Sharif,arelesssatisfiedwiththesituationofhealthcarethanaremaleinterviewees.Womencontendthatthereisinsufficientoversightofpublicclinicsandhospitalsandthatthishasledtocorruption.Forexample,theycontendthattheheadofthehospitaliscorrupt.Heisthoughttohavestolenequipmentfromthepublichospitalforuseinoneofthethreeprivateclinicsthatheowns.76Notably,corruptioninhealthcareappearstobemoreproblematicinthecenterthaninthedistricts,whereIntervieweesaremoresatisfiedwiththequalityofservices,despiteshortages.77Maternalandreproductivehealthservicesforwomenareavailable,withsimilardistinctionsmadeamongBalkhintervieweesinjudgingthequalityoftheseservicesmorehighlyinthedistrictsthaninthecenter,whereprivateclinicsarepreferableforthosewhocanaffordthem.78Theseservicesareavailableinallfourteendistrictsintheprovincebyabirthcarestaffof123.Atotalof22,415pre-birthanddeliverypatientswereseenoverthemostrecentfour-monthperiod.79AlthoughanelderclaimsthatservicesforhepatitisC,sexuallytransmittablediseases,forensicmedicine,victimsofsexualassault,andpre-marriagebloodtestdonotexist,80thisisnottrueandservicesforrapevictims,STDs,andcontraceptionareavailableinalldistrictsaccordingtoaDOPHofficial.However,healthcaretreatmentforrapedoesnotappeartobelinkedtojusticefortherapevictim.Asakeyinformantcontends,evenifagirlisrapedandbroughtinfortreatment,“thetruthisdenied”andthereisnomechanismforsuccessfullyengagingthepolicetobringchargesagainsttheperpetrator,whowouldsimply“givemoneyandwinthecase.”81Pediatricservicesareavailablefrom121healthcenters,including14providingvaccinations,locatedinallBalkhdistricts.Addictiontreatmentservicesarealsoavailable,andhadbeenprovidedto214menand52womenoverthelastfourmonths.82

73KeyinformantsrepresentingtheDOPHandMolanaHospital74KI-M-Bal-CS-5, confirmed by FGD-M-Bal-CS-375FGD-M-Bal-CS-176FGD-F-Bal-Go-5,confirmedbyKI-M-Bal-Go-2, KI-F-Bal-NG-177KI-M-Bal-CS-478FGD-F-Bal-Go-5,KI-M-Bal-Go-2,KI-M-Bal-NG-279KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH80KI-M-Bal-CS-481KI-M-Bal82KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH

www.appro.org.af

27

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

AccesstoadequatehousingisunderstoodthroughthelensoflanddisputesinBalkh.Keyinformantsdescribedthemascommon,andasoccurringbetweenthepowerfulandgovernment,andbetweenorwithinfamilies,includingofteninvolvingbrothersandsisters.83Women’sinheritancerightsandprotectionagainstgender-baseddiscriminationareoftenunderminedinthesedisputes.LanddisputesinBalkhcanalsocompromiseprotectionagainstethnic-baseddiscriminationbecausetheysometimesfallalongethniclines,suchasongoingdisputesinvolvingTajiksandHazaras.However,policerecordsdonotregisteractsofviolencelinkedtoresourcesasresourcedisputes.SeveralkeyinformantsinBalkhstatedthatlanddisputescouldleadtoviolence,andsettlementscouldsometimesfurthercompromisewomen’srights:

Insomecaseslanddisputesendsinbeating,murderorgivingwomentothelosingpartyasbaad.84Therearemanylanddisputesrelatedtoinheritancerightsandusurpation.AfamousexampleisthedisputebetweenAtaMohammadNoorandSayedZaherandSayedMasrur,whichhascontinuedformorethan10yearsandcausedarmedconflicts.85

Accesstopublicutilityservices—electricity,drinkingwaterandsanitation—isuneveninBalkhandoverallabout50%ofthepopulationisthoughttohaveaccesstothepublicelectricitygrid,wellormunicipalwater,andseptictanks.86Thereappearstobelittleknowledgeamonggovernmentofficialsaboutpeople’suseofotherformsofenergygeneration(solar,generators,hydro),sanitation,orcleanwateraccess.TherealsoappearstobenoprovincialordistrictlevelinformationaboutfoodinsecurityinBalkh.

FoodSecurity

Increasingnumbersofpeoplehavetakentobegginginlast2-3years,standingaroundfuneralprocessions,forexample,andaskingformoney.Theonlyassistanceprovidedbythegovernmentisforthosewhoarevictimsofnaturaldisastersorconflict.Thereissomehelpfromwealthiertradersandmerchantswhoprovidemoneyorfoodstuffforthemostvulnerable.Thereisalsothe“NabizadaCharityFoundation”whichprovidesclothingandfoodstuffintheprovince.87Thetraditionalcustomoflookingafterpoorerneighborsisverymuchpresenttodaywithwealthierfamiliesprovidingfoodstuffsandclothing.Forexample:

WeareanIslamiccountryandhelpingothersinneedbringsusblessings.Anythingwedon’tneedorisexcesstoourownneeds,wegivetootherswhoneedit.88

Themosquesdonothaveanongoingprogramtofeedtheneedy.Onoccasionswhenapersonorfamilyhassufferedgreatmisfortuneandisinneed,themullahasksfordonationsattheFridayprayerand

83KI-F-Bal-NG-1,KI-M-Bal-NG-284KI-F-Bal-NG-185KI-M-Bal-NG-286Keyinformantrepresentingadistrictgovernor87KI-F-Bal-NG-188KI-M-Bal-NG-2

www.appro.org.af

28

peoplemakemonetarycontributionstohelpout.Also,usuallyatFridayprayerstherearemanybeggarswhocongregatebytheentrancestothemosquesandmosquegoerswillinglygivethemmoney.89

RighttoEducation

RightstoeducationareconsideredmorefulfilledinthecenterthaninthedistrictsinBalkh.Reasonsforthisdisparityrelatetobothsupplyanddemandsideissues.Schoolingisthoughttobeofhigherqualityinthecenterandfamiliesinthedistrictsarelesslikelytosendtheirchildrentoschool,especiallygirlsbeyondgrade6.Girls’accesstoeducationiscompromisedbypovertyandtheneedforgirlstocontributetofamilyincome(throughembroideryandotherhandicrafts)aswellastheperceivedpaucityoffemaleteachers,thoughtnecessaryforgirlsbeyondgrade6.90Thereare,nevertheless,morefemaleteachers(n=6,629)thanmale(5,564).91Familiesalsocanprefertosendboystoschoolinsteadofgirls,sincegirlsareexpectedtohavemoredifficultiesenteringthejobmarketaftergraduationthanboys.However,boysfrompoorerfamiliesareoftensenttoworkratherthangotoschool.Corruptionfurthercontributestounderminingrightstoeducation.Someteachersareappointedthroughconnectionsandarenotqualifiedorevenfullyliterate,therebyvalidatingpopularconcernsabouteducationquality.92Teacherscanfacepressuretogivehighgradestostudentswhoseparentshavepaidbridestopublicofficials.

FamilyRights

FamilyrightsinBalkharegenerallyassociatedwithwomen’srightsandviolenceagainstwomeninboththeprivate(family)andpublicspheres.Violenceagainstwomenissaidtotakemanyformsincludingphysicalviolence,restrictedmobility,forcedwork,denialofeducationrights,forcedandearlymarriage,abandonmentanddivorce,andpublicharassment.Theseproblemsaresaidtobegettingworseandaremoreprevalentinthedistrictsthaninthecenter.Inthelastfourmonths,policeheadquartersinBalkhregistered30casesofviolenceagainstwomen,mostcommonly(n=22)beatings.93Theperpetratorsofviolenceagainstwomenarenotonlyhusbands,butalsomothers-in-law(otherwomen)andbrothers.94Therearemixedandsomewhatcontradictoryimpressionsamongkeyinformantsaboutwhatwomendowhofaceviolence.TheAIHRCrepresentativecontendsthatpeopledonottrustlegalinstitutions,thehumanrightscommission,thewomenaffairsdepartmentortheprovincialcouncil,andinsteadmostlyrelyontribalcouncilsindistrictandvillages.95AnotherkeyinformantthinksthatwomeninthecentergotocivilsocietyorganizationsortheAIHRC,andinthedistrictswomenmaygotoCSOs,FRUs,theWomen’sAffairsDepartmentorthePolicechief,butnotthecourts,whicharethoughttobecorrupt.96Neighborhoodrepresentatives(wakayel-egozar)arealsosometimesengagedtohelpsettledomesticdisputes.97Amongfocusgroupdiscussionparticipants,particularlyinthedistricts,therewaslittle

89KI-M-Bal-CS-4,KI-M-Bal-CS-890KI-M-Bal-Go-2,KI-F-Bal-NG-191KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoE92KI-M-Bal-Go-293KeyinformantrepresentingProvincialpoliceheadquarters94FGD-F-Bal-Go-5,FGD-M-Bal-CS-2,KI-M-Bal-Go-7, KI-M-Bal-CS-5,KI-F-Bal-Go-1,FGD-F-Bal-Go95KI-F-Bal-PI-196KI-F-Bal-CS-797FGD-M-‌Bal-CS-1

www.appro.org.af

29

awarenessofFRUsortheirpurposeandservices.ThisisnotsurprisingsincethereareonlytwoFRUsintheprovince.98Twowomen’ssheltersareactiveinBalkhandmanybelievethattheyarenecessarytoprovideasafehavenuntilwomen’scasesareresolved.99However,thereisalsoastrongfeelingthatsheltersarenoteffectiveandputwomenatrisk,physicallyandintermsofreputation.Althoughconcedingthatwomenmayfeelcomfortableinshelters,severalkeyinformantsexplainthatmostpeoplehaveanegativeopinionofthewomenwhoarebeingkeptthere,withpeoplecallingthem“unsafehouses”wherewomenhavesexualrelationswithmen.Sheltersarealsothoughttobenotwellsupervised,furtherunderminingtheirreputation.100DivorcecasesarebecomingmorecommoninBalkh,butareparticularlydifficulttosettle.MostcasesarefiledwiththeAIHRC,butfollowingthemupintheformaljusticesystemisdifficultandoutcomesaresusceptibletoinfluenceduetocorruption.

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

Thereareemploymentpossibilitiesinvocationaltradessuchascomputer-relatedwork,embroidery,tailoring,andcarpentry.101Thereisnoreadilyaccessibledocumentationorreportingonavailabilityofemploymentinindustry,agri-business,exports,ormineralextraction.AccesstobankingservicesisavailablethrougheightbanksandthreeMFIs.102Thereisuniformcontentionthataccesstoemploymentisseverelycompromisedbycorruptionandnepotism.Briberyisapre-conditionofgainingemploymentevenifacandidatehasthenecessaryqualifications.Thereareallegationsofordinarygovernmentpositionsbeingsoldforupto60,000Afghanis.103Women’spursuitofemploymentisadditionallyconstrainedbypatriarchy,maledominance,andperceptionsthatsometypesandlocationsofemploymentareunsuitableforwomen.104Aswithotherinteractionswithgovernment,womenwhoseeksuchpositionsarethoughttoriskexposuretounwantedsexualadvances.105

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

Therearenoreportsofharassmentatworkandworkandsafetyconditionsaredescribedasacceptable.However,manyfeelthatthegovernmentandotherauthoritiescoulddomuchmore:

Thereisnospecificprogramorinsurancecoverageingovernmentornon-government[national]organizationsinBalkhprovince.106

98KeyinformantrepresentingProvincialpoliceheadquarters99KI-F-Bal-Go-1confirmedbyKI-F-Bal-NG-1,KI-M-Bal-NG-2100KI-M-Bal-NG-4,FGD-F-Bal-Go-5101KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoLSA102KeyinformantrepresentingtheACCI103KI-F-Bal-CS-6104FGD-F-Bal-Go-5,confirmedbyKI-M-Bal-Go-2,KI-M-Bal-Go-7105KI-F-Bal-NG-1,confirmedbyKI-M-Bal-NG-4,KI-M-Bal-NG, FGD-M-Bal-CS-1106Kl-F-Bal-CS-6

www.appro.org.af

30

Bamyan

BamyanislocatedinthecentralhighlandsofAfghanistan,borderingBaghlan,SamanganandSar-ePolprovincestotheNorth,GhorprovincetotheWest,ParwanandWardakprovincestotheEast,andGhazniandUruzganprovincestotheSouth.Theprovinceismainlymountainousandsemi-mountainouswithcultivatedareasconcentratedalongthePanjabriverbasin.TherearesevendistrictsinBamyanprovince.AdministrativeunitscoveredbythisreportareBamyanCenter,ShibarandYakawlangdistricts.AccordingtotheCentralStatisticsOfficetherearecloseto450,000residentsinBamyanprovince,ofwhichthevastmajorityliveinruralareas.Approximately85percentofthepopulationisHazara,withtheremainderbeingmadeupofTajiks,Saadat,andPashtun,mostlylocatedinthecenteroftheprovince.Dariisthemostcommonlyusedlanguage.107BamyanCenterBamyanCenteristheonlyurbancenter,with65,000inhabitantsoraround20percentofthepopulationofthewholeprovince.108YakawlangYakawlangisontheWesternborderofBamyanprovince,borderingtheprovinceofGhortotheWest,SarePoltotheNorthWest,SamangantotheNorth,BamyancenterandBaghlanprovincetotheEast,andPandjabdistrictofBamyantotheSouth.Thereareover160,000residentsinYakawlang.109Yakawlanghasreceiveddevelopmentassistancefromanumberofnon-governmentalentitieswithofficesinthedistrict,workingmainlyinagriculture,healthandeducationsectors.TengovernmentadministrationsarepresentinYakawlang.ShibarShibardistrictislocatedeastofBamiyancenter,borderingBaghlanprovincetotheNorth,ParwanprovincetotheEastandWardakprovincetotheSouth.Thedistrictcounts7,184householdsofapproximately5memberseach.110ThereissomeongoingdevelopmentassistanceineducationandhealthinShibar,mainlybytheAgaKhanFoundation,butalsobythelocalNGOBaran.TherearesevengovernmentadministrationspresentinShibar.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

TheoverallsecuritysituationinBamyanisgood,withtheexceptionofareasalongtheroadstoKabulandParwanwhereAOGsareactive.Thereare50policepostsandatotalof163policeofficerspresentintheprovince.WhilenofemalepoliceofficersareregisteredattheProvincialPoliceHeadquarters,theDistrictChiefofPolicestatedthattwofemalestaffserveinYakawlangdistrict.111

107StructuredinterviewwiththeDistrictGovernor’sOffice,Yakawlang,December2015.108CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111109StructuredinterviewwiththeDistrictChiefofPolice,Yakawlang,December2015.110StructuredinterviewswithDistrictGovernor’sOfficeandCommunityElders,Shibar,December2015.111Structuredinterview,ProvincialPoliceHeadquarters,BamyanCenterandDistrictChiefofPolice,Yakawlang,December2015.

www.appro.org.af

31

ThemajorityofintervieweesinBamyanbelievethatthebehavioroftheANPtowardcitizensismixed.Bamyandoesnothavealocalpoliceforce(ALP).SomeconnecttherelativesecurityoftheprovincetothegoodworkbyANPwhileothersfeelthatthepolicesometimesviolatethelawandactunprofessionally.112Femalefocusgroupdiscussionparticipantsstatedthatmostcaraccidents,forexample,arecausedbythepolice“becausetheydonotobservetherightsofothercitizens,”andthatthepolicesometimesinsultorbeatpeople,includingwomen.113Abusesbypoliceofficersarenotrecordedbythepolice.114ThemajorityofdisputesinBamyancommunitiescenteronaccesstoanddistributionofresources,specificallycontendingclaimsoverland,water,pasture,andinheritancerights.Therearealsorecentreportsoftensionsanddisputesalongethniclines,purportedlycausedbypowerholders.115Disputesoverlandandpropertyownershiparetypicallycausedbyalackoflegaltitleordeeds.Insomecases,repatriatedrefugeeswholosttheirdeedsreturntoBamyantofindtheirpropertyusurped.Inheritanceissuesinvolvinglandandpropertyconcernnotjustdenialoftherightofinheritance,butdisputesoverthefairportiontobereceivedbyanheir.116Disputesoverwaterareattributedtothelackofalaworregulationsgoverningwaterdistribution.117Pettycorruption–intheformofrequestsforbribesbygovernmentofficials–existsinBamyanbutmaybelessprevalentthaninotherpartsofthecountry.MostintervieweesinBamyanhadnotexperiencedrequestsforbribesandclaimedthatiftheydidtheywouldreporttheincidenttotheauthorities,suchastothespecialcourtforadministrativecorruption,thedistrictgovernment,provincialgovernor,thepolice,ortheanti-corruptioncommittee.118Onegovernmentemployeesharedanexampleofhowpettycorruptionoccurs:

Mymotherhadasix-yeardisputeoveralandparcel.Everytimesheapproachedthepolicedepartmenttheytoldher,‘Ican’tdoittoday.’Whensheaskedwhy,shewastoldthat,‘myphoneisoutofcredit,Ican’tmakeacall’or‘Idon’thaveacartogotothisandthatplace.’Soeverytimeshewentthere,shehadtobuythepolicemenmobilecardsorrenttaxisforthem.119

Womenalsoreportedcasesofrequestsforsexualfavorsinreturnforservices.120

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

IntervieweesreportedavarietyofproblemsassociatedwithrightstojusticethroughboththeformalandtraditionalsystemsinBamyan.Externalpressureandinterferenceaffectsbothsystems,withpowerholdersincludinghigh-rankinggovernmentofficialsparticularlyabletoexertpressure.121Forexample,high-rankingofficialssometimeswarnjudicialstaffnottoconvictcertainpeopleorcompeljudgesto112FGD-F-Bam-GO-5,FGD-M-Bam-CS-1,FGD-M-Bam-CS-3113FGD-F-Bam-GO-5114Structuredinterview,ProvincialPoliceHeadquarters,BamyanCenter,December2015.115FGD-F-Bam-GO-5, FGD-M-Bam-CS-3116FGD-M-Bam-CS-1117FGD-F-Bam-GO-5, FGD-M-Bam-CS-3118KI-F-Bam-CS-6,KI-M-Bam-GO-2119FGD-F-Bam-GO-5.Althoughthisexampleispresentedasacaseofcorruption,itisalsoquitelikelythatthepoliceofficerdidnotactuallyhaveagovernmentprovidedtop-upcardorvehicletouseinthecase.120FGD-F-Bam-GO-5121KI-F-Bam-GO-7

www.appro.org.af

32

issuedecisionsinfavorofacertainperson.Oneexampleofexternalinterferenceconcernssomeonewhowasarrestedforreceiving500,000Afghanisinbribes.Theindividualwasheldfor72hoursandwaseventuallyfreedwhenProvincialCouncilmembersandotherpowerholdersintervened.122Judgesandprosecutorsarerestrictedintheirmovementsbecauseoftransportationshortagesandinsecurity.TheformaljusticesysteminBamyanisalsochallengedbystaffshortagesandthelowcapacityofjudgesandprosecutors,whoaresaidtolacksufficientknowledgeoflegalissues.123Thereareunresolvedlegalcasesinthedistrictsfromuptonineyearsago,accordingtosomeaccounts.124Theformallegalsystemisviewedbysomeasbeingpatriarchalandmisogynistic,typicallyissuingdecisionsinfavorofmen.Thejudgmentmakersofthetraditionaljusticesystem(mostlycommunityelders)oftenlackmodernlegalknowledgebasedonequalityandfairness.125Decisionsmadeinthetraditionaljusticesystem,eveniffair,arenotlegallybindingandcanbesubjecttochallengethroughtheformalcourtsystem.126Despitetheshortcomingsofthetraditionaljusticesystempeoplecontinuetouseitbecauseitisconsideredasbeinglesscorruptandmoreapproachable:

Peopleareevenafraidtohearthename‘AttorneyGeneral’sOffice’becausetheytakebribesandputinnocentpeopleinjail.127

Whenbothsidespaybribestoajudge,thejudgemakesadecisioninwhichneitherpartywinsthedispute.128Peoplearealsowearyofthelongadministrativeprocessandpaperpushingintheformaljusticesystem.Womeninparticularavoidgovernmentofficesbecausetheydonotwanttheirnamestobeknownbysecuritydepartment,courtsorotherformalinstitutionsforfearofbringingshametotheirfamilies.129

Children’sRights

Children’srightsarepromotedandprotectedbyanumberofNGOsandgovernmentdepartmentsinBamyan.ThisincludestheSpandOrganization,theCenterforSupportingChildren,AIHRC,theOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralandUNICEF.130TheProvincialCouncilsometimesadjudicateschildren’scases,suchasarecentcaseinvolvingallegationsofrape.131Therearefewreportedcasesofchildsexualabuseorabductionintheprovince.Otherabusessuchasdisciplinarybeating(mostfrequentlybymothers)andchildlaborarecommonissues.132ChildlaborhasincreasedinBamyaninthelast2-3years.InShibardistrictintervieweesstatedthatbecauseofpoverty,familiesareforcedtoputtheirchildrentoworktogenerateincomeforthe122KI-M-Bam-NG-4,confirmedbyKI-M-Bam-PI-1123KI-M-Bam-GO-6124KI-M-Bam-NG-4confirmedbyKI-M-Bam-PI-1125KI-M-Bam-GO-6126KI-M-Bam-GO-2, confirmedbyFGD-M-Bam-CS-1127FGD-M-Bam-CS-1128KI-M-Bam-CS-4129FGD-F-Bam-GO-5, confirmedbyFGD-M-Bam-CS130KI-M-Bam-NG-2131KI-F-Bam-GO-1132KI-M-Bam-GO-2,FGD-F-Bam-GO-5

www.appro.org.af

33

household.Childrentendherds,collectwildherbs,workinrestaurantsandbakeries,weavecarpets,workasstreetvendors,workasapprenticesinworkshopsandinconstruction.133Intervieweesuniformlybelievethattherearenumerousnegativeconsequencesofchildlabor:

Theyareexposedtophysicalandpsychologicalharmthatunderminestheirdevelopmentandeducationalperformance.Theycanbeinjured,paralyzedorleftoutofschool.134

Workingchildrendevelopacomplexaboutwhattheyhavebeendeprivedofduringchildhood.Weseethatsmallchildrenusecigarettes,hash,naswar[chewingtobacco]oralcohol.135

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Withoneexception,Bamyanintervieweesplantovoteinfutureelections,despitetheirkeenawarenessoftheproblemswiththemostrecentPresidentialElections.Womeninparticularwereveryeagertovoteinfutureelections.136Themainconcernsaboutthelastroundofelectionswereincompetenceofthepersonnel,corruptionintheelectionprocess,administrativefailuresresultingininsufficientballots,lackofasufficientnumberofpollingstationsandaccommodationsforwomen,useoffakeinkthateasilywashesoff(allowingformultiplevoting),fraudincountingthevote,andinterferencebypowerholders.137OnekeyinformantalsoobjectedtotheformationoftheNationalUnityGovernmentasanunelectedbody.138Forfutureelections,somedemandedthedistributionofelectronicidentificationcards,provisionofsecurity,eliminationoffraudandcorruption,andappointmentofefficientandhonestIECofficialsandpollingstationstaff.Theyalsosuggestedthatelectionsshouldbeheldatatimeofyearduringwhichweatherconditionsdonotcompromisepublicaccesstopollingstations.139Alongsimilarlines,otherspointedoutthat,giventheprovince’smountainousterrain,participationwouldincreaseifthenumberanddistributionofpollingstationswerereflectiveofthegeographynotabsolutepopulationsizes.140

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

ThemajorityofintervieweesinBamyanwereconcernedforthesafetyofjournalistsandotherswhofreelyexpresstheiropinions.TherehavebeenanumberofthreatsagainstjournalistsandoutspokenindividualsinShibardistrict.141Publicallyoutspokenwomenriskslanderandlossofreputation,whichafemalekeyinformantdescribedas“evenworsethandeath.”142Womenfacegreaterchallengesinaccessinginformationfromgovernmententitiesthanmen.Accessinginformationfromgovernmententitiesislargelyafunctionofhavingconnectionsandworkingthrough

133KI-F-Bam-CS-6, KI-M-Bam-NG-2,KI-F-Bam-GO-7,KI-M-Bam-CS-4, KI-M-Bam-GO-2,FGD-F-Bam-GO-5,KI-M-Bam-GO-1134KI-F-Bam-CS-6135FGD-F-Bam-GO-5136Theexceptionwerethosewhoparticipatedinthefemalefocusgroup,FGD-F-Bam-GO-5137KI-F-Bam-CS-7,KI-F-Bam-CS-6, FGD-F-Bam-GO-5, KI-M-BAm-CS-5138KI-F-Bam-GO-1139FGD-F-GO-3,confirmedbyKI-M-Bam-NG-4,KI-M-Bam-PI-1140KI-F-Bam-CS-7,KI-F-Bam-CS-6, FGD-F-Bam-GO-5, KI-M-BAm-CS-5141KI-M-Bam-GO-6142KI-F-Bam-GO-1

www.appro.org.af

34

networks.143Despitetheselimitations,mostfeelthatthereisgenerallyreasonableaccesstoinformationfromgovernmentdepartments,includinginthedistricts.144Shibardistrict,forexample,takesaproactiveapproachtoinformationsharingbyissuingannualreportstothepublic.145

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Therearefourpublichospitalsintheprovince,33healthcenters,over400healthpostsandtwoaddictiontreatmentcenters.ServicesfordetectingSTDsandsupporttorapevictimsareavailableinBamyanCenter.Thekeychallengesinotherdistrictsaretheremotenessofhealthfacilitiesandpoorerservicequality.Anestimated40percentofthepopulationinBamyanlackreasonableaccesstoclinicsandhospitals.146Manyhealthcentersdonothavesufficientoradequatelytrainedstaff,medicine,andequipment.Thereare,forinstance,noexperienceddoctorsinShibar,buttherearefournursesandfourmidwiveswhoprovideservices.147MaternalhealthservicesarelessavailableinremotedistrictssuchasWarasandYakawlang.Womenwhogointolabororexperiencepregnancycomplicationscandieenroutetotheclinicorhospital.148Womenhaveaccesstocontraceptivesbuttherearenoservicesforvictimsofsexualassault,pre-marriagebloodtesting,orthediagnosisandtreatmentofAIDS.149

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

Lessthanfivepercentofthepopulationhasaccesstothepublicpowergrid.Themajorityofinhabitantsintheprovincerelyonsolarenergyhydro-electricity.Sanitationfacilitiesaregenerallylacking,withthemajorityofthepopulationusingopenditches.150Drinkingwatersourcesarerunningsurfacewaterandwells.Anumberofdevelopmentprogramsintheprovincefocusonincreasingaccesstosanitaryfacilitiesandwaterinfrastructure.Disputedownershipisthemostcommonland-relatedissue.Weaknessesinthegovernmentregistrationsystemispointedtobymanyasthebasisofthisproblem.Similarly,thelackofalawgoverningaccesstowaterprecipitatesdisputesthatsometimeslastforyears,becausebothpartieshaveevidencesupportingtheirclaimandjudgesareunableorunwillingtosettlethecase.151Interestingly,sometimestheformaljusticesystemrefersresourceownershipdisputestothetraditionaljusticesystem:

143KI-F-Bam-CS-6,confirmedbyKI-M-Bam-GO-6144KI-F-Bam-CS-7,KI-M-Bam-CS-4,KI-M-Bam-NG-2,KI-F-Bam-GO-7145KI-F-Bam-CS-6146KI-F-Bam-CS-7,KI-F-Bam-CS-6,KI-M-Bam-PI-1,FGD-F-Bam-GO-5، FGD-F-Bam-GO-4147StructuredinterviewwithDirectorateofPublicHealth,ShibarDistrict,December2015.148KI-F-Bam-NG-1,KI-M-Bam-CS-4149FGD-F-Bam-GO-4,KI-F-Bam-CS-6, confirmedbyKI-M-Bam-GO-2150StructuredinterviewwithProvincialGovernor,confirmedbyDistrictGovernorsandcommunityLeadersinYakawlangandShibardistricts,December2015.151KI-F-Bam-GO-7,KI-M-Bam-GO-2,confirmedbyKI-F-Bam-NG-1

www.appro.org.af

35

Mygrandfathergiftedsomelandtosomeone,butthenthispersontookadditionallandsfromusthatwerenotgiftedtohim.Ithasbeenthreeyearssincethisdisputestarted.Whenwegotothecourt,theyreferustolocalelders.152

Incasesinvolvingrightstolandandinheritance,womenfacesystemicdiscriminationinBamyan.Themajorityofintervieweesinthethreedistrictsstatedthatwomen’sclaimstolandinheritancerightswereconsideredasshamefulandthatwomengenerallydidnotprotestwhendeprivedoftheirlandinheritancerights.153ThecourtsinBamyanareviewedasbiasedagainstwomenininheritancedisputes.Womenhavelessawarenessofhowthecourtsoperate,andtheirsubordinatepositionwithinthefamilyinrelationtotheirfathers,husbandsandbrothersputthewomeninavulnerableposition.154Also,sincewomendonothaveconnectionstohelpthemandcannotaffordtopaybribes,thecourtsgenerallydecideinfavorofmen.Inheritancerightssettlementstypicallyinvolvecompellingawomantogiftorsellherinheritedlandtoherbrothersforverylittlemoney.155

FoodSecurity

Peoplewithoutfoodendupbegginginpublicplacesorgodoortodooraskingformoneyorfood.Thereisanorphanage,AshianaSamar,thattakescareofanumberofchildren,providingthemfoodandotherneeds.Theonlytypeofhelpfromthegovernmentisforemergenciessuchasfloodsorearthquakes.But,governmentassistanceisoftenprovidedthroughlocalpowerholdersandasubstantialportionofitdoesnotreachthepeoplewhoneedit.IslamicReliefalsoprovidesfoodandclothingforthepoorbuttheamountsandthenumberofbeneficiariesarelimited.Mosquesgenerallydonotprovidefoodorothermaterialassistancefortheneedy.156

RighttoEducation

ExceptforthedistrictsofSayaqhanandKuhmard,accesstoeducationinBamyanisgenerallygoodthoughnotwithoutchallenges.InBamyanCity,accesstoeducationisgoodbutthereareproblemswithquality,specificallywiththe“unprofessionalnatureofmanyteachers[whodonot]performtheirdutiescorrectly.”157Classroomsaretypicallyovercrowdedandsomeclassesareheldintents.158Thereareinsufficientnumbersofteachers,particularlyfemaleteachers,andagenerallackoftextbooks,chairsandtables.159InYakawlangtheratioofteacherstostudentsoftenexceeds1to100,particularlyforgirlsinhigherclasses.ThisratioisevenlowerinShibarwherethereisonlyonefemaleteacherattheprimaryschoollevelversus39maleteachers,22femaleteachersatthemiddleschoollevelversus109maleteachers,and17femaleteachersatthehighschoollevelversus93maleteachers.

152KI-F-Bam-NG-1153KI-M-Bam-NG-2,confirmedbyKI-F-Bam-CS-6154KI-F-Bam-NG-1,KI-F-Bam-GO-1,confirmedbyKI-F-Bam-GO-7, KI-F-Bam-NG-1155KI-M-Bam-NG-,4KI-F-Bam-CS-6, KI-F-Bam-CS-7, KI-F-Bam-GO-1156KI-M-Bam-CS-4,KI-M-Bam-CS-8157KI-M-BAm-CS-5,confirmedbyFGD-M-Bam-CS-2,FGD-M-Bam-CS-3,FGD-M-Bam-CS-1, KI-M-Bam-GO-6158FGD-F-Bam-GO-4159KI-M-BAm-CS-5,FGD-M-Bam-CS-2,KI-M-Bam-NG-2, confirmedbyKI-F-Bam-GO-1

www.appro.org.af

36

Table4:NumberofSchoolsDisaggregatedbyTypePrimaryschool MiddleSchool HighSchoolDistrictBoysonly

Girlsonly

Staggereduse160

Boysonly

Girlsonly

Staggereduse

Boysonly

Girlsonly

Staggereduse

Wholeprovince

59 5 50 23 29 91 51 55 30

Yakawlang 2 - 2 - - 23 8 15 8Shibar 5 1 - 10 7 - 5 3 -

Sources:DirectoratesofEducationThesituationforgirls’educationisbetterinthecenterthanthedistricts,butseveralfactorsworkagainstgirls’education.Somebelievethatgirlsshouldnotbeeducatedbecausetheycouldbecomesorceresses.161Othersbelieveitisbadinvestmenttospendmoneytogirls’educationbecausetheywillbecomethe“propertyofothers”uponmarriage.162Inthedistricts,evenfamilieswhodonotsubscribetothesebeliefsoftenfacefinancialchallengesinsendingtheirchildrenoutsidetheareatopursuehighereducationbecausetheycannotaffordaccommodationandtransportationcosts.163AnotherchallengeforequalaccesstoqualityeducationinBamyanisnepotism,whichhasrecentlyincreased.Studentswhoarewellconnectedaremorelikelytobegivenpreferentialtreatmentandpassinggradesbyteachers,whileotherscanbetreatedprejudicially.164Corruptionamongsenioreducationofficialshasalsocometolight,withthearrestsofthedirectoroftheDirectorateofEducationinShibarandtheheadoftheProvincialDepartmentofEducation.

FamilyRights

Violenceagainstwomenissaidtohaverecentlyincreasedintheprovinceas“violenceagainstwomenhasturnedintoahabitamongmen.”165Violenceagainstwomen,includingkillings,issometimesperpetratedbyotherwomensuchasmothers-in-law.166ViolenceagainstwomenismoreprevalentinruralareasthaninBamyanCenterorthedistrictcenters.Commonformsofviolencearebeatings,insult,humiliation,deprivingwomenofinheritancerights,homicide,barringwomenfromvisitingrelatives,andforcedmarriage,earlymarriage,andremarriage.Themostcommonformsofviolenceagainstchildrenareforcedchildlabor,heavyphysicalwork,beatings,andneglect.167Inthelastfewyearstherehasbeenaslightincreaseininstancesofdivorceintheprovince–reportedlyninecases.168Aformofdivorceknownaskhulaobligesthewomantopaybetween300,000to400,000Afghanistosecureherhusband’sconsenttodivorce.Thisarrangementputsdivorcefinanciallyoutofreachforthevastmajorityofwomen.169

160“Staggereduse”referstoschoolsthatareusedalternativelyforboysandgirlsatdifferentperiodsoftheday.161KI-F-Bam-CS-6,confirmedbyFGD-F-Bam-GO-5,FGD-F-Bam-GO-4162FGD-F-Bam-GO-4163FGD-F-Bam-GO-4164FGD-M-Bam-CS-1165FGD-F-Bam-GO-4166FGD-F-Bam-GO-5167FGD-F-Bam-GO-4, KI-F-Bam-GO-1168FGD-M-Bam-CS-2169FGD-F-Bam-GO-5

www.appro.org.af

37

Inrareinstancesinwhichawomanchallengestheviolenceperpetratedagainsther,thefirstrecourseistypicallytosettletheproblemwithinthefamily.Iftheproblemcontinuesorremainsunresolved,itisthenpresentedtovillageelders.However,thecustomarysystemdoesnotconsiderallformsofviolenceagainstwomenasunjust,illegalandinviolationofawoman’srights:

Incustomarycourts,theymakeexcusesandthewomancannotconvincethemthatherrightshavebeenviolated.Theytellthewomanthat‘youhavenorighttoprotestevenwhenyourhusbandbeatsyou’.170

ThelastrecourseforviolatedwomenisthedistrictofficeorpoliceheadquartersthatmayreferthecasetotheofficeoftheAttorneyGeneralandthecourt.IntervieweesdescribeinYakawlangthatthereisacourtwiththreejudgesthataddressescasesreferredbypoliceheadquarters.171OtherformalinstitutionsavailableforwomenfacingviolenceinBamyanareFRUs,theDepartmentofWomen’sAffairs,theEliminationofViolenceCommissionandwomen’sshelters.SomewomenviewFRUsaseffectiveinresolvingfamilydisputes.172OthersconsiderthemproblematicbecausetheFRUsarepartofthepoliceand,assuch,partialintheirjudgmentsandoppressivetowomen.173Also,itisstillconsideredshamefulforwomentoapproachFRUsandmanywomenoptnottogotoFRUs.174NocasesofviolenceagainstwomenhadbeenreportedineitherYakawlangorShibarbetweenOctoberandDecember2015.InBamyanCenter,23caseswererecorded,concerningcasesofrunawaygirlsandphysicaldomesticviolence.Womenwhofaceviolenceaswellasthosewhohaveescapedfromtheirhome(generallyforelopement)canbetakenbytheDepartmentofWomen’sAffairsortheEliminationofViolenceCommissiontoashelter,wheretheyareprovidedwithfoodandpsychologicalsupport.175Notably,inBamyantherewerenonegativeperceptionsofwomen’ssheltersamonginterviewees.InYakawlang,wheretherearenowomen’sshelters,womenwhoselivesareunderthreataretakentothehomesofreputablelocalelders,wheretheystayinsecret.176

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

MostresidentsofBamyanareinvolvedinagriculturewithlittleindustryintheprovince.Asaresult,thereareveryfewpaidemploymentopportunities,especiallyoutsideBamyanCenter.NepotismprevailsinhiringforthefewemploymentopportunitiesthatexistinBamyan,specificallyintheformofhavingthesupportofapoliticalpartyorbeingpartofapatronagenetwork.177Outsidethecentermanywomenarerestrictedintheirfreedomtoseekworkbecauseof“closedmindedpeoplewhodonotallowwomentoworkoutsidethehome.”178

170FGD-F-Bam-GO-5171KI-F-Bam-CS-7 confirmedbyKI-M-Bam-NG-2,FGD-F-Bam-GO-4,FGD-F-Bam-GO-5,KI-F-Bam-GO-7172FGD-F-Bam-GO-4173FGD-F-Bam-GO-5174KI-F-Bam-NGO-1175KI-F-Bam-GO-1,KI-M-Bam-GO-2176KI-F-Bam-CS-7confirmedbyKI-F-Bam-GO-7177FGD-F-Bam-GO-5,confirmedbyFGD-M-Bam-CS-1178FGD-F-Bam-GO-4confirmedbyFGD-M-Bam-CS-3

www.appro.org.af

38

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

AgricultureandlivestockarethemainsourcesofincomeinBamyan,makingupapproximately80percentofallemployment,followedbyhandicraftsandsmalltrades.Womenrepresentapproximatelyhalfoftheworkforceinagriculture,60percentoftheworkforceinlivestock,over80percentinhandicrafts,andonethirdofregisteredemployeesinsmalltrade.179Mostemploymentopportunitiesareconcentratedinthecenter.InShibardistrict,over80percentofthemaleadultpopulationisreportedlyunemployed,andwomenweresaidtohavenoaccesstoemploymentopportunities.NoneofthegovernmentdirectorateemployeesinShibarwerewomen.ThereisonefemalegovernmentdirectorateemployeeinYakawlang.SustaininganddevelopingbusinessenterprisesinBamyaniscompromisedbyinsecurityinneighboringprovinces,whichlimitsthefreeflowofgoodsandpeople.180AccesstocreditisdifficultasbanksdonotprovideloansandotherentitiessuchastheIslamicCooperativefixhighinterestrates.181

179StructuredinterviewwithACCI,BamyanCenter,December2015.180KI-M-Bam-NG-2confirmedbyFGD-M-Bam-CS-3181StructuredinterviewwithACCI,BamyanCenter,December2015.

www.appro.org.af

39

Daikundi

DaikundiisaruralprovinceinthecentralhighlandsofAfghanistan,borderedbyGhorprovincetotheNorthWest,BamyantotheNorthEast,GhaznitotheEast,DaikunditotheSouthandHelmandtotheWest.DaikundiwascarvedoutofUruzganprovinceinMarch2004,respondingtolongstandingdemandsfromthelocalHazarapopulation.Theprovinceisprimarilyruralwithanestimatedtotalpopulationofaround725,000.EstimatesofthesettledpopulationinDaikundirangebetween425,000and725,000inhabitants.182MostofthepopulationisHazara(over85%),withBaluchandPashtunminoritiesinKajrandistrict,andAimaqpopulationsinKhadirdistrict.TherearenineadministrativeunitsinDaikundi,includingtheprovincialcenterofNili.NiliandSharestandistrictwereselectedforthisassessment.NiliNilihasaround95,000inhabitantsandhasasmallairport/heliport.Thereisonemainroad,whichrunsfromNilitowardUruzganinthesouth.ShahrestanShahrestandistrictislocatedtotheEastoftheprovincialcenterofNili,borderedtotheSouthbyGizabdistrictandtotheNorthWestbyMiramordistrict.Populationestimatesrangebetween68,000and73,000.183ThereareninegovernmentadministrativedepartmentsinSharhestan,withnofemaleemployees.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

Thereare38policepostsintheprovincestaffedby734malesand58females.184Therearedifferencesinattitudesamongcitizensaboutthepolicedependingonwhethertheyliveinthecenterorthedistricts.Femalegovernmentemployeesinthecentercomplainaboutpolicemisbehaviortowardswomenspecifically,statingthatthemalepolicepersonnelmisusegovernmentalcars,drivetoofastandraisedustinthestreets,and“abuse[citizens]inmanydifferentways.”185Incontrast,inShahrestanthewomenexpressedsatisfactionwiththebehaviorofANP,claimingthatthepoliceneverdisrespectedpeopleandbehavedwelltowardwomen.186Thisdifferenceinpolicebehaviorwasconfirmedbythecommunityelders.TheeldersinNiliclaimedthatthepolicecauseddisorderandviolatedlaws,whilethoseinShahrestansaidthattheywerehappywiththebehaviorofthepolice.187ThereisnoALPin182CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111.Seealso:http://www.afghanpaper.com/info/velaiat/daikondi.htm.Theofficialnumberusedbyprovincialofficials(interviewedinJanuary2016),however,is425,000.183CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111.Theweredebatesontheactualnumberofresidentsamongdifferentinformantsinterviewed,rangingfrom60,000accordingtotheDistrictGovernor,to130,000accordingtoCommunityLeaders.184KeyinformantrepresentingtheDaikundiChiefofPolice185FGD-F-Dai-Go-5186FGD-F-Dai-Go-4187KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, FGD-M-Dai-CS-2, FGD-F-Dai-Go-5

www.appro.org.af

40

Daikundi,andtherewerenorecentcases(September–December2015)ofpoliceabuseoruseofexcessiveforceorcriminalactivity.188Communitydisputesmosttypicallyconcernland,waterandrightofpassagethroughroadsthatcrossfarmland.Therearereportsofdomesticviolenceagainstwomenincludingunderageandforcedmarriagesandbeatingwhichsometimesresultinescapingfromhome.Despitetheseproblems,alocalelderinShahrestandistrictdescribedthecommunityasrelativelyopenandfree,exceptwhenitcametoreligiousissues.189LanddisputesinDaikunditendtobesolvedthroughinvolvinglocalelders.Thispreferenceisduetoadministrativecorruptionintheformaljusticesystemwhich,accordingtomany,prolongsdisputestothepointthatpeoplearecompelledtobribethejusticeofficialsseveraltimesthecostoftheirlandstogainclearownership.Instead,thesedisputesaregenerallysettledthroughlocalelders.190AdministrativecorruptioninDaikundiissaidtobewidespread,takingtheformofbribery,refusalbygovernmentofficialstoperformtheirduties,externalinterferencetoforcefavoritismandmakeillegitimaterequests,anddiscriminationbasedongenderandregion/ethnicity.191

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

Somecontendthatnodisputeshavebeenresolvedequitablyintheformaljusticesystemoverthelast13years.Otherscomplainthatsomecivilservantsactaccordingtotheirpoliticalconvictionratherthanthedutytoservethepublic.192Atthesametime,thereisrecognitionthatjusticeandsecuritysectoremployeescanhaveadifficulttimeresistingtheexternalinfluenceofpowerfulindividuals,includinghighgovernmentofficials.Forexample,therewasarecentcaseinDaikundiinvolvingfourindividualswhoweredetainedforsometimebecauseaparliamentmembercomplainedaboutthem.Accordingtoakeyinformantwhohadexaminedthecase:

Therewasnologicalreasonfordetainingtheseindividuals.Ourinvestigationshowedthatalltheindividualsinvolved,fromthepolicetoattorneys,hadnolegalreasonfortheiractions.Fortunately,traditionalcommunityentitiesarenotengagedinsuchcases.Inoneparticularcase,whenadistrictgovernorinterferedinalegalcaseandtriedtoturnitintoacriminalcase,wepreventedhimfromdoingso.193

188KeyinformantrepresentingtheDaikundiChiefofPolice189KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, FGD-M-Dai-CS-2, FGD-F-Dai-Go-5190FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, FGD-M-Dai-CS-2191KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, KI-M-Dai-PI-1, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-M-Dai-NG-2, KI-F-Dai-Go-1, FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, FGD-M-Dai-Go-5, KI-F-Dai-CS-6, KI-M-Dai-NG-4, KI-M-Dai-NG-4192KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4,FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, KI-F-Dai-CS-7, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-M-Dai-Go-7, KI-M-Dai-NG-2, KI-F-Dai-Go-1,FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, FGD-F-Dai-Go-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-5,KI-M-Dai-NG-4, KI-M-Dai-Go-2,KI-M-Dai-PI-1193KI-M-Dai-PI-1

www.appro.org.af

41

Children’sRights

Therearenumerousformsofchildren’srightsviolationsinDaikundi,themostprevalentofwhichischildlabor.Otherformsofviolenceagainstchildrenincludeunderagemarriage,denialofgirls’righttoeducationespeciallyinKitiandKejrandistricts,andtradinggirlsformarriage(badal).SomeclaimthatalthoughtherearemanyworkingchildreninShahrestan,theyarelessexposedtoviolenceincomparisontootherprovinces.194Disputesinvolvingchildrentendtobedealtwithbylocaleldersandpeoplegenerallydonotrefercasesinvolvingchildrentoformaljusticeinstitutions.195Inthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015,onlysixcasesinvolvingchildrenwerereferredtotheFRU.196SimilarlyveryfewcasesinvolvingchildrenarereferredtotheAIHRC.Therearechildren’scorrectionfacilitiesbothinShahrestandistrictandNilibuttheireducationalprogramsareweakandtheyhaveinadequateaccesstobasicutilitiessuchasstableelectricity.197WithfarmingbeingthemainstayinDaikundi,itiscommonforchildrentoworkinagriculture.Manyadultmalesandheadsofhouseholdhavemigratedfromtheprovinceforwork,makingchildren’scontributiontohouseholdincomegenerationactivitiesnecessary.Childrenalsoworkinrestaurantsandshops,oractasdriverassistants.Formanyitisnotdesirableforchildrentoworkbutmostfamilieshavelittlechoice.198Mostchildrenaresaidtoattendschool.199IntervieweesgenerallydidnotbelievethatthesexualabuseofchildreniscommoninDaikundi,wherethereisastrongsenseofshameattachedtopederasty.200However,underageengagementandmarriageiscommon,andgirlsaresometimesmarriedtooldermenandmeninforeigncountries.201

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

ThevastmajorityofintervieweesinNiliandShahrestanregardvotingtobetheirnationaldutyandright.WhilethoseinShahrestanarepositiveaboutthemostrecentelection,thoseinNiliciteanumberofproblemssuchasholdingtheelectionduringbadweather,makingitaccessdifficultforolderadultsandinadequatenumberofballotsavailableinpollingcenters.Therewerealsoconcernsaboutwidespreadfraud.202Theplanneddistributionofnationalidentificationcardsisexpectedtoreducefraudinfutureelections.203TakinggovernmentjobsinDaikundiisdifficultbecauseofnepotism.InShahrestan,forexample,districtgovernmentemployeesarerecruitedfromonlyafewvillagesnearthedistrictcenter.TheGirawiarea

194KI-F-Dai-CS-7195KI-M-Dai-Go-2196KeyinformantrepresentingtheDaikundiChiefofPolice197KI-M-Dai-PI-1198KI-F-Dai-CS-7199KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3,KI-F-Dai-CS-7, KI-M-Dai-PI-1, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-M-Dai-Go-7, KI-M-Dai-NG-2, KI-F-Dai-Go-1, FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, KI-F-Dai-CS-6,KI-M-Dai-NG-4,KI-M-Dai-Go-6, KI-M-Dai-Go-2,KI-M-Dai-Go-2200KI-F-Dai-Go-1201KI-M-Dai-Go-2,KI-M-Dai-Go-6202KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, KI-M-Dai-PI-1, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-M-Dai-Go-7, KI-M-Dai-NG-2, KI-F-Dai-Go-1, FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, FGD-F-Dai-Go-5, KI-F-Dai-CS-6,KI-M-Dai-Go-6, KI-M-Dai-Go-2, KI-M-Dai-Go-2, KI-M-Dai-NG-4,KI-F-Dai-CS-1203KI-F-Dai-CS-6

www.appro.org.af

42

hostshalfofthepopulationofShahrestanbuttherearenoemployeesfromGirawi.204Affirmativeactiontopromotewomen’semploymentisviewbymanyasapositivemeasure.205

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

Ofthe11mediaoutletsoperatingintheprovinceeightareprivatelyownedradiostations,newspapersormagazines.206ChallengestofreedomofopinionandexpressionaresaidtobegreaterinNilithanShahrestan.TherehavebeennothreatsagainstactivistsorjournalistsinShahrestan.But,inNilianumberofcivilsocietyactivistshavebeenthreatenedforcriticizingthegovernment.Inlate2015acivilsocietyactivistwasbeatenbyaprominentindividualbecausetheactivisthadcriticizedtheperformanceofthegovernmentinDaikundi.Therewerethreatsbygovernmentofficialsofhigherrankingagainstsomeoftheelectedgovernmentofficialswhodefendedtherightsofthecivilsocietyactivist.207Despitetheseincidents,theDepartmentofInformationandCulturehasregisterednocasesofthreatsorviolenceagainstjournalistsorothersoverthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.208Therearecomplaintsthatthereislimitedaccesstoinformationfromgovernment.Forexample:

[Governmentofficials]nevergiveustheinformationweneed.Theyavoidimpartinginformationsotheykepttheirpower.Wehaveapproachedthemseveraltimesforinformation,usingtheAccesstoInformationLawandtheLawonMedia,buttheyalwaystellusthattheyarenotallowedtogiveoutinformation.209

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Therearefourpublichospitals,oneNGO-operatedhospitaland20government-runand11NGO-runbasicandcomprehensivehealthcenters.Publichealthfacilitieshaveaprofessionalstaffof415andNGOoperatedfacilitieshaveaprofessionalstaffof332.210Thequalityofhealthservicesandfacilitiessaidtobeextremelylow.Thefacilitieslackequipment,professionalstaff,andbasicutilitiessuchaselectricity.ThereisoneaddictiontreatmentfacilityinNiliformales.Manypatientsmusttravelfardistancestovisitaclinicandthereisaninsufficientnumberofmobileclinics.211Amongthe415publiclyemployedhealthprofessionalsintheprovince,21aredoctorsandtherestarenursesormidwives.212Despitetheeffortsofnationalandinternationalorganizations,littleprogresshasbeeninincreasingaccessinmanyareasoftheprovince.213

204KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, KI-M-Dai-CS-1205KI-M-Dai-CS-4206KeyinformantrepresentingtheDepartmentofInformationandCulture207KI-F-Dai-CS-6208KeyinformantrepresentingtheDepartmentofInformationandCulture209KI-M-Dai-NG-4210KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH211KI-M-Dai-CS-5,FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, KI-F-Dai-CS-7,KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-M-Dai-Go-7, KI-F-Dai-Go-1, FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, FGD-F-Dai-Go-5, KI-F-Dai-CS-6,KI-M-Dai-Go-2, KI-M-Dai-NG-4,KI-M-Dai-PI-1212KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH213KI-M-Dai-PI-1

www.appro.org.af

43

Thereisnodiscriminationinheathcareprovisionbasedongenderorethnicitybutthereisdiscriminationbasedonkinship.214SomeareconcernedthatDaikundiasawholeprovinceisneglectedandhasalowershareofthenationalresourcesforservicesingeneral.Forexample:

WhyinShahrestanandDaikundi,wherethereisnosignofinsecurity,aretheresuchlimitedfacilities?Roadsarenotpaved?Thereisnoelectricity?Hospitalsarenotpaidattentionto?Schoolshavenobuilding?Maybe,thereasonforalloftheseisdiscriminationbasedonethnicity,religionandrace.”215

Whilemostintervieweesdonotconsidercorruptiontobewidespreadintheareaofhealthcareseveralwomeninthecentercontendedthatsomemidwivesreceive1,000Afghanisforthedeliveryofmalebabiesand500Afghanisforthedeliveryoffemalebabies.216Therearepositiveviewsaboutthequalityofreproductiveandsexualhealthservices,despitetheinsufficientnumberoffacilitiesofferingtheseservices.Theuseofcontraceptivesisgraduallybecomingmoreacceptedandmothersareincreasinglylearningtomaintainintervalsbetweenpregnancies.OnehospitalinShahrestanprovidestreatmentforSTDs,AIDs,HepatitisC,anddiseasessuchastuberculosis.Pre-marriagebloodtestingisnotavailableandnotcommonlyrequested.217Therearenospecificservicesavailableforvictimsofrape.218

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

Thequalityofhousingisgenerallypoor.Mostpeopleliveinmudbrickstructures.Manypeopledonotownahomeorlandtoworkon.Whilegovernment-ownedlandsareabundant,therearenoinitiativestomakelandorhousingavailabletothoseinneed.219IDPsfromtheKhadirdistrictofDaikundiandGizabdistrictofUruzganhaverecentlycomeintothearea,lookingforaccommodationandseekingservicessuchaseducationandhealthcare.Municipalwaterandsanitationservicesarenotavailableandthereisnopublicelectricitygrid.Mostaccesswaterthroughwells(80percent)orstreams(20percent).Intermsofsanitation,veryfewhouseholds(anestimated15percent)useseptictanksandmostrelyonopenditchesorunlinedwells.Thosewithaccesstoelectricitymostlyrelyonsolarenergyandasmallpercentageuseshydropower.220FoodinsecurityisextremelyhighinDaikundi.Itisestimatedthatinthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015,85percentofthepopulationintheprovincelackedtheabilitytofeedthehouseholdatleastonceaweek.221Landandwaterrelateddisputesareverycommondue,inpart,topoverty,poorspecificationoflandboundaries,inheritanceissues,andadministrativeconfusion,andhostilityarisingfrompoliticalchangeovermanydecades.222Womenareparticularlyvulnerableintheseresourcedisputes:214KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, KI-M-Dai-PI-1, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-M-Dai-Go-7, KI-M-Dai-NG-2, KI-M-Dai-NG-2,FGD-F-Dai-Go-1215FGD-F-Dai-Go-4216KI-F-Dai-CS-6217KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4,KI-M-Dai-Go-7, KI-M-Dai-NG-2, KI-F-Dai-Go-1, FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, KI-F-Dai-CS-6, KI-M-Dai-Go-6, KI-M-Dai-NG-4, KI-M-Dai-NG-4,KI-M-Dai-Go-6218KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH219FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, KI-F-Dai-CS-7, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-F-Dai-Go-1220KeyinformantrepresentingtheGovernor’sOffice221KeyinformantrepresentingtheGovernor’sOffice

www.appro.org.af

44

WaterandlanddisputesarecommoninDaikundi.Bullying,usurpinglandsoffemale-headedhouseholdsbytheirrelatives,anddenialofwomen’sinheritancerightsarecommon.Sometimes,landdisputesbecomeviolentandbecomecriminaldisputes.Forexample,recently,awomanwasbeatenbyanindividualwithwhomshehadadisputeoverland.Hospitalexaminationsshowedthatthewomanwasbeatententimes.Thisindicatesdisrespectforwomen’srights.223

FoodSecurity

Theonlyoptionsforthosewithoutfoodaretobegorreceiveirregularassistancefromcaringcommunitymembers.Thereisnoassistancefromgovernmentalsourcesforthefoodinsecure.NoneoftheNGOsorothernon-governmententities,includingmosques,providesfoodassistanceforthehungry.224

RighttoEducation

Thereare376schools–primarythroughhighschool–inDaikundiemploying418maleand323femaleteachers.Therearealsosixvocationaltraininginstitutesandseventeachers’trainingcenters.225WhileaccesstoeducationinDaikundiissatisfactoryforbothboysandgirls,exceptintheinsecuredistrictofKejran,intervieweesareunhappywiththequalityofeducation.Manyoftheteacherslackhighereducationcredentials.Younggraduateswithcredentialsarenotbeingtakenonforteachingpositonsbecausethelongstandingbutunqualifiedteacherscannotberemoved.226Educationalfacilitiesarealsopoorwithmanychildrenstudyinginopenspacesorinmosquesandtents.227Childreninremotevillagesdonothaveaccesstotransportationtogettoschool,thoughinsomeoftheseareasUNICEFhaseducationprogramsforchildrenuptograde3.228WhilemostintervieweesinDaikundudonotbelievethereisbiasordiscriminationintheeducationsector,somecontendthatgirlsinsomeinsecuredistrictsandaftermarriagearenotallowedtopursueeducation.229Corruptionintheeducationsectordoesnotappeartobesignificant.230OneexceptionisbiasinhiringpracticesinShahrestandistrictwheretherearenoeducationemployeesfromtheareaofGarawi,whichistakenbysometobe“asignofdiscrimination.”231

FamilyRights

Familydisputesoccuroverissuesincludinginheritance,alimonyprovision,addictiontonarcotics,anddivorce.Peopleseekresolutiontypicallythroughlocaleldersratherthantheformaljusticesystem,

222KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, KI-F-Dai-CS-7,KI-M-Dai-PI-1, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-M-Dai-NG-2, KI-F-Dai-Go-1,KI-F-Dai-CS-6223KI-F-Dai-CS-6224KI-M-Dai-CS-4,KI-M-Dai-CS-8225KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoEd226KI-F-Dai-Go-1227Thisconcernwasraisedinalmostallinterviewsandfocusgroupdiscussions.228FGD-F-Dai-Go-4229KI-M-Dai-PI-1230KI-M-Dai-CS-5, KI-M-Dai-PI-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-F-Dai-Go-1,KI-F-Dai-CS-6, KI-M-Dai-NG-4231KI-M-Dai-CS-1

www.appro.org.af

45

whichischargedbysomeas“re-victimizing”women.232Insofarastheformalsystemisused,complainantswithfamilycasesarereferredto

…theresponsibleorgans,particularlyFRUsunderthepolicesystem,theDepartmentofWomen’sAffairsand,inifthecaseisofcriminalnature,toAttorneyGeneral’sofficeandcourtwheretheyareaddressedbasedontheapplicablelaws.WomensheltersworkwithintheframeworkoftheDepartmentofWomen’sAffairsandareresponsibleforprotectingfemalevictims.233

ThefourFRUsinDaikundiregistered65casesofviolenceagainstwomeninthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.Mostprevalentamongthesewere36casesofbeating,10casesofneglect,5casesofadultery,and5casesofdeaththreats.234Thegeneralsentimentisthatviolenceagainstwomenhasdeclinedincomparisontothepast.Thisisattributedtoanew,mostlyeducatedgenerationwithmoreopenviews,values,andpractices.However,violenceagainstwomenisstillprevalentincludingbeatings,humiliation,denialofrightstoeducation,andpolygamy.235Complaintstotheformaljusticesystemaboutcasesofviolenceagainstwomenareoftensubjecttooutsideinterferenceandsubsequenthumiliation.236Divorcehasincreasedintheprovinceinrecentyears,andisdealtwithbylocalmullahsorlegaldepartments.Divorceseekersprefertogothroughthemullahsbecausetheprocessisshorter.AccordingtotribaleldersinNili,womencanrequestdivorcesincasesofpermanentabsenceoftheirhusbands,particularlywhenhusbandsworkingabroadarenotsendingbackremittances.237Thereareconcernsabouttheincreaseinthenumberofdivorces.Someattributethistotheinfluenceofthemediaandexposuretoforeigndramasandideas.Somedivorcesareduetowomendiscoveringthattheyweredeceivedintomarriagebymenwhoalreadyhadwivesandchildren.238Somereportadeclineinthenumberofforcedmarriagesandmarriagesinabsenceofthehusband,ghiabimarriage,whereamanwhoisinaforeigncountrymarriesagirlwithoutbeingphysicallypresent.239Thereisawomen’sshelterintheNilibutnotinthedistricts,whereitisconsidered“unnecessary.”240ThereisinsufficientknowledgeoftheworkandservicesofFRUs.Theyareunderstoodtobeabletorecordadisputebut“thereisnothingelsetheycando.”241

232KI-F-Dai-CS-6233KI-M-Dai-PI-1234KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialChiefofPolice.235KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3, KI-F-Dai-CS-7, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-F-Dai-Go-1, FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, KI-F-Dai-CS-6,KI-M-Dai-PI-1236KI-M-Dai-PI-1237KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-M-Dai-CS-3,KI-F-Dai-CS-7, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4, KI-F-Dai-Go-1,FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, KI-M-Dai-Go-2,FGD-M-Dai-CS-3238FGD-M-Dai-CS-3239KI-M-Dai-NG-4240KI-F-Dai-CS-7241KI-M-Dai-CS-5, KI-F-Dai-CS-7, KI-M-Dai-NG-2,KI-F-Dai-Go-1, FGD-M-Dai-CS-1, KI-F-Dai-CS-6, KI-M-Dai-Go-2, KI-M-Dai-NG-4

www.appro.org.af

46

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

Thereislittlebusinessinvestmentintheprovince.Accordingtogovernmentsourcesonlytwobanksoperateintheprovinceandthestateofservicesisverypoor.242Thekeychallengesarealackofadequateinfrastructure,humancapital,andinsecurityontheroadsleadingtotheprovince,particularlyontheKabul-DaikundiroadandinJalrezareainMaidanWardak.243Employmentopportunitiesareparticularlyscarceforthosewithrelativelyhighereducation.244Therearenoreportsofdiscriminationbasedongender,ethnicity,raceorreligioninaccessingpaidemploymentpositions.However,thereisadministrativecorruptionintheformsofbribery,nepotism(basedonkinshipandpoliticalpartyaffiliation),andregionalism.245Inseekingemployment,womenfaceadditionalchallengessuchasfamilyprohibitions.Atthesametime,itisrelativelyacceptableforwomentoworkasteachersorasmedicalstaff.246However,somereligiousfiguresregularlypreachthat“Islamdoesnotallowwomentoworkoutsidehome,becauseeconomicself-sufficiencyofwomenwoulddestroythefamilysystem.”247

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

Governmentistheprimarysourceofpaidemployment.Theprivatesectorandagri-businessareestimatedtoaccountforonly15percentofemploymentinDaikundi,withthepublicsectorsofeducation,health,governance,securityandinfrastructureaccountingforthevastmajorityofjobs.248Thereisalsoagenerallackofappropriateprovisionsattheworkplaceforfemaleemployees.However,therewerenoreportsofharassmentorhostilityattheworkplace.

242KeyinformantfromtheDepartmentofCommerceandIndustries243KI-M-Dai-NG-4244KI-M-Dai-PI-1245KI-M-Dai-CS-5, FGD-F-Dai-Go-4,FGD-M-Dai-CS-3,KI-F-Dai-CS-7, KI-M-Dai-PI-1, KI-F-Dai-NG-1, KI-M-Dai-CS-4,KI-M-Dai-Go-7, KI-F-Dai-Go-1,FGD-M-Dai-Go-5, KI-F-Dai-CS-6, KI-M-Dai-NG-4, KI-M-Dai-Go-2246FGD-F-Dai-Go-1247KI-M-Dai-NG-4248KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialGovernor’sOffice

www.appro.org.af

47

Herat

HeratprovinceislocatedintheNorthWestofAfghanistan,sharingborderswithIranandTurkmenistan,BadghisprovincetotheNorthEast,GhorprovincetotheEastandSouthEast,andFarahprovincetotheSouth.Overhalfoftheprovinceiscoveredinflatland,withmountainsstretchingfromtheEasttowardstheNorthWestandSouthWest,onbothsidesoftheHarirudvalley,themainsourceofwaterfortheprovince.Districtadministrationestimatesthepopulationtobeapproximately3millionsettledresidents,whichcontrastswiththeCSOestimateof1.9millionin2015.Seventypercentofthepopulationissettledinruralareas.249OnequarteroftheprovincialpopulationisconcentratedintheprovincialcapitalofHeratCity.ThereisasizeablepopulationofKuchisintheprovince.250UNHCRregistered1,958IDPsinHeratfor2015.ThepopulationiscomposedofTajiks,Pashtuns,Hazaras,Uzbeks,Turkmens,andBaluch.251Dariisthemostcommonlyusedlanguageintheprovince,withPashtunandBaluchalsospoken.ThosecoveredbythisreportarethemunicipalityofHerat,andthedistrictsofGozaraandKohsan.HeratCityTheprovincialcapitalislocatedinthelowerplainsoftheHarirudvalleyinthecenteroftheprovince.TwomajortransportationaxesrunSouth-North,connectingHeratwithTurkmenistanandIran.TheinternationalairportinHerathostsdomesticandinternationalflightstoIran.ThecityofHeratisthemaineconomichuboftheregionandakeytradinghub.Heratprovincehas16administrativeunits.GozaraGozaradistrictissituatedinthevalleySouthoftheHarirud.ItbordersEnjildistricttotheNorth,ZindajantotheWest,AdraskandistricttotheSouth,andPashtunZarghundistricttotheEast.Districtauthoritiesreportapopulationofapproximately450,000individuals–threetimesmorethantheCSOestimate.252KohsanKohsandistritislocatedonthewesternborderoftheprovincewithIran.ItneighborsGulrandistricttotheNorth,ZindajandistricttotheEastandGhoryandistricttotheSouth.CSOestimatesthepopulationat55,562settledinhabitants,comparedto69,000estimatedbydistrictofficials.253Thereare14governmentadministrationspresentatthedistrictlevel.

249StructuredinterviewwiththeProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Herat,December2015;CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111250MRRD/NABDP(2012),HeratProvincialProfile.251StructuredinterviewwiththeProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Herat,December2015252StructuredinterviewwiththeDistrictGovernor’sOffice,Gozara,January2016.253CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111

www.appro.org.af

48

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

Withsomeexceptions,thereisgeneralsatisfactionwiththeperformanceandbehaviorofthepolice.254SomeoftheparticipantsinfemalefocusgroupdiscussionsdescribedthebehaviorofsomeANPpersonnel“disgusting”butexplainedthatthiswasduelargelytolowliteracyandloweducationlevelsofANPpersonnel.255Therearecasesofforcedmarriage,badalandbaad,andtherehavebeeninstancesofreligiousdisputesbecomingviolentresultingindeaths.Thesedisputesareattributedtopoverty,unemployment,illiteracy,lackofawarenessabouttherightsofothers,ethnocentrism,andlinguisticandreligiousbias.Forexample:

Speakinginone’smothertongueisaconstitutionalrightofanycitizenonlyiftheirknowledgelevelisraised.Theyshouldunderstandthatethnicityandlanguagearenotthetruecriteriaofsuperiorityamongpeople.Suchanunderstandingmaypreventcommunityviolence.256

Disputesinthedistrictsaremostlyoveraccesstolandandwater.Landusurpationandinheritanceissuesarespecificallypointedtoasdriversoflanddisputes,whichoftenlastforlongperiodsoftimeandinsomecasesleadtoescalatedviolence.Disputesoveraccesstowateraredrivenbyunequaldistributionand,insomecases,violationsofcustomaryrulesofwaterrotation.257InGuzaradistrict,therehavealsobeendisputescausedbytheftandtrespassing.Offendersareusuallyjoblessindividuals,andsuchdisputessometimesresultindeath.258

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

Thecorruptionthatplaguestheformalsystemisattributedtolackofexpertise,lowsalaries,andinterferencebythepowerful:

AsthedirectorIdonotdenyadministrativecorruptionwithinformaljusticeorgans.Forinstance,onecaseisreferredtodifferentbranchesoriskeptinonebranchforaverylongtime.Peoplehavemanyproblems.Manyarenotinagoodfinancialsituationandthisplaysagainstthem.Butthetraditionaljusticesystemalsohasproblems.Disputesarenotreallysettledbecausethedecisionscouldbeoverruledupontheprovisionofadditionalvaliddocumentsbyoneoftheparties.Atleastinformalcourts,partiestoadisputeareaskedtoprovideevidenceandeverything[issupposedtobe]scrutinized.259

Publicmistrustoftheformaljusticesystemisdueinparttotheeasebywhichpowerholdersaswellasgovernmentofficialscaninterfereinitsprocedures.Inthedistricts,judgesareparticularlysusceptibletothreatsbypowerholdersandAOGs.Complaintsabouttheformalsystemalsoincludetheprolonged

254FGD-M-Her-CS-2255FGD-F-Her-Go-3, FGD-F-Her-Go-4, FGD-M-Her-CS-2, FGD-F-Her-Go-4256FGD-M-Her-CS-1257KI-M-Her-CS-4confirmedby KI-F-Her-NG-2, KI-M-Her-CS-5,KI-M-Her-GO-2258KI-M-Her-CS-4259KI-M-Her-Go-7

www.appro.org.af

49

disputesettlementprocessand“moralcorruption,”intheformofinappropriatedemandsbyformaljusticestaff.260Familydisputestendtobereferredtotribalcouncilswhichthoughconsideredmoretrustworthycanalsobecompromisedandproblematic.Therulingsfromthetraditionaljusticesystemarenotnecessarilybinding,donoalwaysequallyconsidertherightsofbothparties,andcanbebiasedbasedonethnic,languageorpoliticalconsiderations.261InKohsandistricttheHuqooqofficereliesonIslamicShariatoarbitratedisputes.262Moregenerally,thereareinconsistenciesinadherencetothelawandprecedenceindecisionsand“peoplearetreateddifferentlyindifferentcases.”263

Children’sRights

ChildrenareengagedinvarioustypesofworkinHeratprovinceincludingheavylabor.Thejobsincludeshoepolishing,washingandcleaningcars,agriculturalwork,collectionofwood,andextractingessentialoilsfromkandal(doremmaammoniacum).Workingchildrenarefrompoorfamilies,andmanyarethesoleincomeearnersfortheirfamilies.264Manychildrenliveinorphanagesandcorrectionalcenters.Attemptsbytheprovincialofficialstocreatesaferworkingandlivingenvironmentsforthechildrenhavesofarnotsucceeded,inpartbecausethechildrendonotwanttogiveuptheirworkonthestreet.265TherehavebeenanumberofsexualabuseofchildrencasesinKohsandistrictbutmanyofthecasesdonotcomeoutintheopen.266

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Votinginelectionsisconsideredtobeanationalduty.Thereisskepticism,however,aboutthetransparencyoftheelectionprocessandthecommitmentofthecandidates.267Discrimination,nepotismandbriberyarechallengesfacedbypeopleinHeratwhoseekemploymentwiththegovernment.Womenfaceadditionalchallengesduetofamilyrestrictionsandpotentialharassmentbymalecolleagues.268

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

Mostofthe83mediaoutletsinHeratareprivatelyowned.269Thereisauniformviewthatthosewhospeakfreelytoexposethetruth,especiallyjournalists,areatrisk.Outspokenindividualscanbeatenup,threatenedverbally,kidnappedorkilled.Familymemberstoocanbetargeted.Overthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015,twojournalistsinHeratreceivedthreats.270Manycomplainthatthegovernmentisnotdoingenoughtoprotecttherightsofjournalistsandothers.271

260KI-F-Her-Go-1, KI-M-Her-NG-4, KI-F-Her-NG-1, KI-F-Her-CS-6261KI-M-Her-Go-6262KI-M-Her-Go-7263FGD-M-Her-CS-1264KI-F-Her-CS-7,KI-M-Her-PI-1265KI-F-Her-Go-1266FGD-M-Her-CS-3,FGD-M-Her-CS-1267KI-M-Her-Go-7,KI-F-Her-Go-1268KI-F-Her-CS-7,KI-M-Her-Go-7,KI-F-Her-GO-1,FGD-M-Her-CS-1269KeyinformantrepresentingtheDepartmentofInformationandCulture270KeyinformantrepresentingtheDepartmentofInformationandCulture271KI-F-Her-CS-7, KI-M-Her-NG-4, KI-F-Her-NG-1, KI-F-Her-NG-2, KI-M-Her-CS-1, KI-F-Her-CS-6, KI-M-Her-CS-1

www.appro.org.af

50

ThereislittleawarenessoftheAccesstoInformationLaw.Asarulegovernmentdepartmentsrefrainfromgivingoutinformationbecausetheyareafraidthattheymaybeheldresponsibleindividuallyformistakesintheavailableinformation.272

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Thereareonepublichospital,onematernityhospital,and58publicbasicandcomprehensivehealthcentersintheprovince.Therearealso44privatehospitalsand11privateclinics.Publichealthfacilitiesintheprovincearestaffedby400doctorswith15percentfemalesand511nursesandmidwives.273Accesstohealthservicesisrelativelygood,particularlyinHeratCity.InKohsandistrictthereare41villagesbutonlythreeclinics.Longdistancestohealthcentersareamajorobstacleforpeopleinremoteareaswithreportsofpeopledyingwhentravelingtotheclinicfortreatment.274Themainhospitalintheprovince,Hawzawihospital,hasinsufficientandinadequatefacilitiesandequipment.TherearenoservicesforvictimsofsexualassaultorSTDdiagnosisandtreatmentinpublichealthcenters.Someprivatehospitalsoffertheseservices.275Intheruraldistricts,insecurityandtraditionalconservatism(limitingwomen’smovements)areadditionalmajorbarrierstoaccessinghealthcare.Theuseofcontraceptivesandpregnancyspacingisbecomingmorecommon,inpartbecauseofmediaawarenesscampaigns.Pre-marriagebloodtestsareavailable,butarenotcommonlytaken.276

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

Mostpeopleinthedistrictsliveinmudbrickstructures.Thereislimitedaccesstopublic,importedelectricitybutwateriswidelyavailablefromstreamsandwells.277InHeratCity,anestimatedfivepercentofthepopulationislivinginsoftstructuresortents.278EightypercentoftheresidentsinHeratCityhaveaccessgridpower,70percenttowater,and30percenttosewageservices.Disputesoverlandandwaterarecommonandrelatedtousurpationofpubliclands,difficultiesinestablishinglandownership,exhaustionofwatersources,andinheritanceissues.Thesedisputeshaveintensifiedinrecentyears,resultingindeathsandcasesofbaad.Localpowerholderstendtodominatebyvirtueoftheirstrength,ratherthantherightfulnessoftheirclaim.279Women’srightstolandthroughinheritancearetypicallyignoredanddeniedbymen.Manywomen“gift”theirlandinheritancetomalerelatives.280Ifawomanweretoforegothistraditionalpracticeand

272KI-F-Her-CS-6273KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoH274KI-M-Her-CS-5275KI-F-Her-Go-1276KI-F-Her-CS-7,KI-M-Her-Go-7,KI-F-Her-Go-1, KI-M-Her-NG-4, KI-F-Her-NG-1, KI-F-Her-CS-6, FGD-M-Her-CS-2, KI-M-Her-PI-1, FGD-F-Her-Go-5, FGD-M-Her-CS-1, FGD-M-Her-CS-3277KI-F-Her-CS-7278KeyinformantrepresentingHeratMunicipality279KI-F-Her-Go-1280KI-F-Her-CS-7, KI-M-Her-Go-7, KI-F-Her-Go-1, KI-M-Her-PI-1

www.appro.org.af

51

seekherrightsinformalcourtthiswouldlikelyforevercompromiseherrespectwithinthefamilyandrelationshipswithherbrothers.281InKohsandistricteldersareinvolvedindisputeresolutionbasedonIslamicSharia“withoutdiscriminationbasedongenderorkinship.”282Re-establishingcommunitypeace(restorativejustice)istheprimarygoaloflocalcourtsandtribalcouncilsinresolvinglandandwaterissues,ratherthanestablishingandrulingintermsofabsoluteownershiprights.283

FoodSecurity

Anestimated30%ofthepopulationinHeratprovincehasbeenrecentlyfoodinsecure.284Thepoortaketobeggingorgarbagecollectingforscraps.However,thereisasignificantspiritamongcommunitymemberstohelpthosewhoarefoodinsecureorinneed.Therearenoreportedcasesofdeathduetohunger.Inadditiontofood,therearecivilsocietyentitiesthatprovideclothingandwinterfuelfortheneedy.Fromtimetotimeeventsareorganizedtocollectdonationsascharitytohelptheneedyandthefoodinsecure.Theonlygovernmenthelpavailableisassistanceinemergenciessuchasnaturaldisastersorwhenthemaleheadofafamilyhasbeenkilledinthelineofduty.Somefeelthatmorecouldbedonebycommunitymemberstocombathunger:

AccordingtotheprinciplesofIslam,neighborsmustlookaftereachotherandpayparticularattentiontothepoorandneedy.But,unfortunately,thishappensonlyinwordsandnotindeeds.Still,therearesomebetteroffindividualswhofulfillthisreligiousduty.285

SomeinternationalNGOsprovidefoodassistance.Theyprovidecookingutensils,wheatandotheringredientstothoseinneed.However,foodassistanceandotherprogramshavebeendeclininginthelast2-3years.Asaresult,thenumberoffoodinsecurepeoplehasbeengoingupinthelastfewyears.Themosquesdonotprovidefoodassistancetotheneedy,exceptonspecialoccasions.Allindividualdonationstomosquesarespentonmaintainingthemosqueandpayingsalariesatthemosque.286

RighttoEducation

Heratprovincehas939primary,middleandsecondaryschools,ahighereducationinfrastructure,andeightvocationalschools.Thereareover15,000teachers,overhalfofwhomarefemale.287InHeratCity,itiswidelyacceptableforgirlstobeeducated,evenuptograde12.288AccesstoeducationinHeratCityisrelativelygood.InKohsandistrictcenter,educationisavailablethoughsomefamiliesarenotwillingtosendtheirdaughterstoschoolbecausetheyviewitasunsafeorinappropriate.Mixedgenderandrotationalschoolsaredislikedbysomemenwhopreferseparateclassesforboysandgirls.289Inmore

281KI-F-Her-CS-7282KI-M-Her-Go-7283KI-M-Her-PI-1284KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialGovernor’sOffice285KI-M-Her-CS-8286KI-M-Her-CS-4,KI-M-Her-CS-8287KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoEd288KI-F-Her-CS-7, KI-M-Her-Go-7,KI-F-Her-Go-1, KI-F-Her-NG-1, KI-F-Her-NG-2, KI-M-Her-CS-8, KI-M-Her-PI-1, FGD-F-Her-Go-3,FGD-F-Her-Go-4, FGD-F-Her-Go-5, KI-F-Her-NG-5, FGD-M-Her-CS-1289KI-F-Her-CS-7, KI-F-Her-Go-1, FGD-M-Her-CS-1,FGD-M-Her-CS-3

www.appro.org.af

52

remotevillagesofthedistrict,thereisverylimitedaccesstoeducationandthereareshortagesofteachers.290Thereareissueswitheducationqualityincludingthelackofprofessionalteachersandteachingmaterials.

FamilyRights

Familydisputesarekeptprivate.InKohsandistrictmostwouldreachoutwithfamilyissuestolocalelders,althoughthereisaHuqooqDepartment.291TheHuqooqDepartment’sapproachistofirsttrytoresolveanissuethroughmediationandonlyifthisfailsisacasereferredtothecourt.292Insomecases,familydisputesarereferredtoandsettledbyaWomen’sCouncil,whichisacommitteeassociatedwiththeeldersandmullahs. WhileviolenceagainstwomeninthedistrictsofHeratappearstooccurmostlywithinthefamily,inHeratCitywomenfaceadditionalformsofviolence.Morewomeninthecenterworkandappearinpublic,exposingthemtoharassmentbymalecolleaguesandabuseinthestreets,sometimesbypoliceofficers.293TheprovincehasfiveFRUs,includingoneonHeratCityandoneinGuzara.294Women’ssheltersareavailableonlyinHeratCity.Thereisapositiveviewofwomen’ssheltersamongwomenandmen.Forexample:

Althoughmanypeopleareagainstwomen’sshelters,wehavetoconsiderthefactthatthemajorityofgirlslivinginthemareescapingfromforcedmarriageandinjusticewithintheirfamilies.Theyhavenoplacetogoexceptwomen’sshelters.295

Somemenseethesheltersasplaceswherewomenare“sexuallymisused.”296

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

Accesstoworkislimitedduetoinsecurityandthepresenceofa“powermafia”thatdiscouragesinvestmentintheprovince.297Theemploymentofwomenisfurtherhinderedbyfamilyresistancetowomenworkingoutsidethehome.ThegeneralsentimentisthatthereisdiscriminationandnepotisminaccessingpaidemploymentinHerat.Governmentpositionsarecommonly“sold”forhighpricestothosewhocanaffordthem.298Therearedifferentviewsaboutwomen’saccesstopaidemployment.Somemenresentpositive

290KI-F-Her-CS-7291KI-F-Her-CS-7292KI-M-Her-Go-7293KI-F-Her-CS-7, KI-M-Her-PI-1,FGD-F-Her-Go-3, FGD-F-Her-Go-5, FGD-M-Her-CS-1, FGD-M-Her-CS-3294KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialPoliceHeadquarters295KI-M-Her-NG-4296KI-F-Her-CS-7, KI-M-Her-Go-7, KI-M-Her-NG-4, KI-F-Her-NG-2, FGD-M-Her-CS-1297KI-F-Her-CS-7,KI-M-Her-Go-7, KI-M-Her-NG-4, KI-F-Her-NG-1,KI-F-Her-CS-6KI-M-Her-PI-1, FGD-F-Her-Go-3, FGD-F-Her-Go-5, FGD-M-Her-CS-1298KI-F-Her-NG-1

www.appro.org.af

53

discriminationandquotasforemployingwomen.Othersbelievethatwomenareroutinelydiscriminatedagainstbecauseofpatriarchy.299

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

Theprovincehasindustryincludingshoefactories,mobilephonefactories,andrefrigeratorfactories–staffedentirelybymen.Womenhaveaccesstojobsintailoring,agriculturalcooperatives,embroideryandbeautyparlors.300Therearereportsofharassmentofwomenatwork,particularlyinHeratCity.301Harassmentofworkatworkinthedistrictsisdescribedasnon-existent.302Therearenohealthandsafetyatworkorjobprotectionmeasuresatgovernmentornon-governmentworkplaces.303Womensufferthemostforinadequateworkingconditions.Sanitaryfacilitiesatmanygovernmentandnon-governmentworkplacesareinsufficientandinadequateforwomen.304

299KI-M-Her-PI-1, FGD-M-Her-CS-1,KI-M-Her-NG-4,KI-F-Her-Go-1300KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoLSA.301FGD-M-Her-CS-3,KI-F-Kab-Go-6,KI-F-Her-Go-9,FGD-F-Her-Go-4,KI-M-Her-Go-7,FGD-F-Her-Go-5302FGD-F-Her-Go-3,KI-M-Her-PI-1,KI-M-Her-CS-4,KI-F-Her-CS-6,KI-M-Her-NG-4,KI-F-Her-NG-1,KI-M-Her-NG-2,KI-F-Her-Go-8,KI-F-Her-Go-1,KI-M-Her-Go-2303KI-M-Her-NG-4,FGD-F-Her-Go-5,FGD-F-Her-Go-3,KI-M-Her-PI-1,KI-M-Her-CS-4304KI-M-Her-PI-1,KI-F-Her-Go-1

www.appro.org.af

54

Kabul

KabulprovinceislocatedintheEastofAfghanistan,borderingParwanandKapisaprovincestotheNorth,WardakprovincetotheEast,LogarprovincetotheSouthandNangarharandLaghmanprovincestotheEast.ThecapitalcityofKabulisthemajorhubofpopulationandeconomicactivity.MajorroadsconnectKabultotheeast,north,west,andsouthofthecountry.Kabul’sInternationalAirporthostsflightstomajorAfghancitiesandanumberofinternationaldestinations.Thereare14administrativeunitsinKabulprovince.AdministrativeunitscoveredbythisreportincludetheprovincialcenterofKabulCity,andthetworuraldistrictsofIstalifandKhak-eJabbar.KabulCityKabulCityhasanestimatedpopulationof3.8million.305Overthecourseof2015,Kabulprovinceasawholewitnessedasignificantinflowofinternallydisplacedpersons(IDPs)fromconflictprovinces,whichcontinuedoverthereportingperiod(October-December2015).IDPsoriginateprimarilyfromtheCentralregions(Ghazni,MaidanWardak,KapisaandLogar),insecuredistrictsofNangarharintheEast,andtheNorthfollowingthefallofKunduzinlateSeptember2015.306Khak-eJabbarKhak-eJabbardistrictislocatedintheSouthEastofKabulProvince.ItbordersHisarakdistrictofNangarharprovincetotheSoutheast,MohammadAghadistrictofLogarprovincetotheSouth-West,andMusayi,BagramiandSurobidistrictsofKabulprovincetotheWest,NorthandNorthWest,respectively.Mostofthedistrictismountainousandcoveredinrangelands,withrain-fedcropssurroundingtheDistrictCenterofKhak-eJabbarvillage,andirrigatedcultivationinthevalleyofKhordKabul.Accordingtothedistrictadministration,thereareroughly30,000inhabitantsinKhak-eJabbar,70percentPashtunand30percentTajik.307Khak-eJabbar’slocationattheborderwiththecontestedHesarakdistrictofNangarharandLogarprovincehasmadethedistrictpronetoAOGinfiltrationandpresence.Therearefivegovernmentdirectoratespresentatthedistrictlevel,noneofwhichhasfemalestaff.IstalifIstalifdistrictislocatedintheNorthWestofKabulprovince,onthewesternfoothillsoftheHinduKushoverlookingthevastShomaliplain.Unofficialestimateofthepopulationofthedistrictis62,000,withover95percentbeingTajikand5percentHazaraandPashtun.308Tengovernmentdirectoratesarepresentatthedistrictlevel,withatotalof41staffofwhichtwoarewomen.

305http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111306UNHCRSummaryNoteforAfghanistanProtectionCluster(February2016).307ThisnumberistwiceasmuchastheofficialCSOestimatefordistrictpopulationin2015,accordingtowhichtherewere14,000inhabitantsinKhak-eJabbar.308StructuredinterviewswiththeDistrictGovernor’sOfficeandCommunityLeaders,Istalif,December2015.ThiscontrastswithCSOestimatesofthepopulationat34,322settledinhabitantsin2015.

www.appro.org.af

55

CivicRights

Rightstolife,liberty,securityanddignityofperson

ThemajorityofintervieweesinthethreetargetareasofKabulprovincewerecontentwiththeattitudetowardthepublicandperformanceoftheAfghanNationalPolice(ANP).Somestatedthatpolicebehaviortowardthepublicwassometimesgoodandsometimesbad.Thepolicerespondtoissuesbroughttothembycommunitiesmembersbuttheyalsosometimes“arrestandabuseinnocentpeople,failtodotheirduties,andaskformoneyfrompoorindividualsforsolvingtheirissues.”309EthnicminoritiesinKabulCity,specificallyHindusandSikhs,describediscriminatorytreatmentbythepolice:

Someofthemareilliterate,andtheydon’thaveanyideaofhowtotreatpeople.Especiallywhentheyface[Hindus]theycallus‘foreigners’andaskustoshowournationalidentificationcards.310

Localeldersinfocusgroupdiscussionsattributepoorpolicebehaviorandperformancetothefactthattherehasbeenanincreasinglevelofthreattothemduetotheirhazardouswork,withoutassurancesthatfamilieswouldbecaredforintheeventoftheirdeath:

Thelivesofpoliceofficershaverecentlycomeunderthreat.Andwhenapoliceofficerfeelsthatnothingwouldbeleftforhisfamilyonceheisdead,howcouldheserve[thecitizens]?311

InbothIstalifandKhak-eJabbarANPpresenceisrelativelystrong,with181and158policeofficersrespectively,butthereisnofemalepoliceofficerinIstalifandonlyoneinKhak-eJabbar.Casesofabusebylawenforcementofficialsdonotseemtoberecorded.ThelegaldepartmentofthePoliceHeadquartersinKabulstatedthatcasesofdeath,physicalinjury,anddisappearancesresultingfromarrestorotheractsofapprehendingpersonsbylawenforcementofficialsdidnotexist.312Communityviolenceisreportedlywidespreadinallthreetargetdistricts.Therearesaidtobenumerousdisputes,withthemajorityoftheseconcerningrightstolandandwater,andasmallernumberconcerninginheritancerights.Disputesareseldomalongethniclines,andmostlytendtobeindividualdisputes,oftenwithinextendedfamilies.Mostdisputesinvolveonlymen,butinheritanceandmahrrightscasesalsoinvolvewomen.313InIstalifdistrict,inadditiontowater,inheritanceandlanddisputes,therearealsodisputesoveraccesstoelectricity.314AgovernmentofficialinKhak-e-Jabbardistrictestimatesregisteringroughly40casesbetweenOctoberandDecember2015,ofwhich30casesareoverproperty(includingland)and10casesareoverwater.315Disputesoverwaterinthedistrictareespeciallyacuteandnumerousduringspringandsummer.316309FGD-F-Kab-Go-4,FGD-F-Kab-Go-5,FGD-M-Kab-CS-1,contrastedbyFGD-F-Kab-Go-5310FGD-M-Kab-CS-1311FGD-M-Kab-CS-1312InterviewwithLegalDepartmentofKabulPoliceHeadquarters,December2015.313InIslam,mahrisdowryprovidedtothebrideasaguaranteeincaseofdivorceordeathofherhusband.Theamountortypeofthemahrisfixedatthetimeofmarriage,andlegallybecomesthebride’sproperty.Uponahusband’sdeathorintheeventofdivorce,mahrissupposedtobepaidtothewife.FGD-F-Kab-Go-4;KI-F-Kab-CS-7;KI-M-Kab-NG-4;FGD-F-Kab-CS-8;FGD-F-Kab-Go-6314FGD-F-Kab-Go-4315KI-M-Kab-Go-6316FGD-F-Kab-CS-8

www.appro.org.af

56

Thereareseveraldriversoftheseresourcedisputes.DisputesoverwaterarisebecausepowerholdersandlocalcommanderssellwatertoQarahBaghdistrictandtotheTaliban,leavinginsufficientamountofwaterforirrigatingIstaliforchards.Thosewhoobjecttothispracticefacethreatsofinjuryordeath.317Droughtandlackofwaterinremoteareasisalsosaidtodrivedisputes.WateraccessisfurthercompoundedbythefactthatanumberofthecanalsandductsdestroyedduringtheTalibanrulehavenotyetbeenfullyreconstructed.318

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

Viewsonaccesstoefficientandfairjusticearemixed,withsomebelievingthatthecourtsandOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralareaccessible,helpful,andnotcorrupt(inIstalif)319whileotherscitingchallengesandcorruption.InKabulCity,peopletendtorelyonformaljusticeinstitutionsorlocalcouncils,whilethereismorerelianceonthetraditionaljusticesysteminKabuldistricts.Thepoliceiscalledupontopreventviolencefromescalating,butdoesnothavethecapacity(ormandate)toresolveunderlyingdisputes,whichpropelsriskofviolenceandinjuryoverthelongterm.320Whenreferredcases,policeinthedistrictstendtorefercasestoelders.Severalinterviewees,however,statedthatlocaldistrictchiefsofpolicehadcloselinkswithlocalstrongmen.Thereislittleoverallsatisfactionwiththeperformanceoftheformaljusticesystem,perceivedascomplex,slowandcorrupt.Briberyissaidtohave“turnedintoahabitandcustomamongjudicialstaff.”321OnememberofafocusgroupdiscussioninKabulCityshareshisbadexperiencewiththeformaljusticesystem,acasethatwasresolvedonlyafterthepaymentofabribe:

Ihadadisputeoverproperty(ahouse).Mycasehadevenbeenreferredto[theformaljusticesystem].Theotherpartyhadlinkswiththecourtsystem.WhenIwentthere,theytoldmethatmydocumentswerenotvalidandthatIhadtosummontheowneroftheproperty.Sowhentheygotsixtythousanddollarsfromme,thentheytoldmeto‘Go,thehouseisyours.’322

AsimilarstatementwasmadebyanintervieweeinKabul:

Courtscannotissuetherightdecision,becausepowerholdersinterferewiththeproceedings,attorneyscannotaddressthecasesincetheevidencearedestroyed.Inapolicestation,arobberwasfreedinreturnforpayingbribesandthecaseremainedunresolved.323

Powerholders’interferenceincourtdecisionsincludesbribery,threats,anddestroyingorfalsifyingdocuments.324Individualcitizensreportedbeingunabletostandagainstpowerholdersindisputes,astheywouldbe“killedorbeateniftheysaidanything.”325

317KI-F-Kab-CS-7318KI-M-Kab-NG-4319FGD-M-Kab-CS-3،KI-M-Kab-CS-5320FGD-F-Kab-Go-4321KI-F-Kab-Go-1322FGD-M-Kab-CS-1323KI-M-Kab-Go-2324FGD-F-Kab-Go-4,KI-M-Kab-CS-9,FGD-M-Kab-CS-3,KI-M-Kab-Go-2325FGD-F-Kab-Go-4

www.appro.org.af

57

Ratherthanreferringcasestothecourt,citizensinthedistrictsrelyprimarilyonlocalelders,thepolice,andinIstalif,totheDistrictGovernor’soffice.Governmentofficialsarenotablymobilizedincasesinvolvingbribery.326Traditionalsystemsofjustice–eldersandlocalcouncilsofelders–arealsosaidtohaveissuesinKabulprovince.Thoughgenerallyconsideredaslesscorrupt,localpowerholderscanexertpressureonelders’councils,makingitdifficultforthemtoissuefairverdicts.327Theactionsofeldersarenotconsideredasbeingbasedonalegalframeworkasthey“decidewhattheywant.”328Traditionaljusticecanalsocompromisetherightsofwomenandgirlsbyissuingbaadverdictsforresolvingcasesofhomicideandsexualassault.329Accessibilityissuesandcorruptionwithintheformalandtraditionaljusticesystemsreportedlycompelsomepeople,especiallyinremoteareasoftheprovince,toapproachTalibanandtheirmobilecourtstoaccessfairresolutionstodisputes.330ThiswasnotablymentionedtobethecaseinKhak-eJabbar.WomeninthedistrictsoutsideofKabulCityaresaidtohavenoaccesstoformaljusticeinstitutions,duetolowliteracyandawareness,lackofknowledgeabouthowtoapproachthem,andthelikelihoodoffacinghumiliationbystaffandstigmatizationbythecommunitiesiftheydidso.331

Children’sRights

AccordingtointervieweesinKhak-e-JabbarandIstalif,nocasesofchildrenarereferredtotheformaljusticesystemandviolenceagainstchildrenissaidtobenon-existentbecause“ourpeopledonothavesuchaculturetoharm[defame]theirneighbors.”332Thereisalsoagenerallackofawarenessofwhatconstitutesviolenceagainstchildren.InKabulCity,disputesinvolvingchildrenaresometimesreferredtotheProvincialCouncilandAIHRC.333ThenumberofchildrenworkinginKabulhasincreaseddramaticallyrecently.Childrenundertakearangeofjobsincludingcarpetweaving,tailoring,carwashing,beggary,sellinggoodsonstreets,loadingwheelbarrows,shovelingandworkingasshepherds.334Intervieweesuniformlyacknowledgedthenegativeeffectsofchildlaborandconnectedthesetolater,eventualsocietalproblems.335However,povertyandunemployment,addictionorabsenceofafatherinthehouseholdwerementionedassomeofthereasonsforchildrentoworksothattheycouldhelpwiththeirfamiliesbasicneeds.AfemalefocusgroupparticipantinIstalif,forinstance,stated:

Somechildrendonothavecaretakers(fathers),sotheyhavetowork.Forexample,Iknowoneboywhosefatherdied.Hehasthreebrothersandonesister.Theboy,hismotherandoneofhisbrothersarehealthy,buttherestofthemaredisabled.Everydaywhenhecomesbackfromschool,hehastocollectuseablegarbageandsellthemtobuyfoodforhisfamily.336

326FGD-M-Kab-CS-3327KI-F-Kab-CS-7,KI-F-Kab-Go-1328KI-M-Kab-CS-9329KI-M-Kab-P1-1330KI-F-Kab-CS-7,FGD-F-Kab-Go-1,KI-M-Kab-P1-1,KI-M-Kab-CS-9,KI-M-Kab-NG-4331FGD-F-Kab-Go-4332KI-M-Kab-CS-5333KI-M-Kab-CS-5,KI-M-Kab-P1-1,KI-F-Kab-Go334KI-F-Kab-Go-1,KI-F-Kab-CS-7335KI-F-Kab-Go-1336FGD-F-Kab-Go-5

www.appro.org.af

58

Workingchildrencanalsofaceabusebythepolicewhoaskthemformoneyorrestricttheiraccesstocertainareas.337

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

IntervieweesinthethreedistrictsofKabulprovideddifferentviewpointsaboutparticipationinpublicaffairs.Whilemosthadparticipatedinthelastroundofelectionsin2014,manywereunwillingtoparticipateinfutureelectionsunlesscertainchangesweremadetoaddressfraud.Accordingtooneinterviewee:

Participationisademocraticprinciple.Itakepartintheelectionsnotonlybecauseitismyrightbutalsobecauseitismyduty.ButIwould[only]takepartinthenextelectionsifelectoralreformsareimplemented.ImeanifthePresidentacceptsandimplements[recommendedreforms].338

Challengesassociatedwiththepreviouselectionswerenumerousaccordingtointerviewees,includingdeploymentofunprofessional,bigotedstaffinpollingstationswhodiscriminatedamongthevotersbasedonethnicityorpoliticalaffiliation.Therewerealsocomplaintsthattheelectionswerecarriedoutinamannerthatseemedtoignoretheinputfromtheinternationalelectionwatchdogs,securitylimitations,insufficiencyofballots,interferencebypowerholders,andbadclimateconditions.339Membersofawomen’sfocusgroupdiscussionalsocitedskepticismwithelectionsthattranscendedthemostrecentpolling,includingcandidatesnotmeetingcommitments,andrisingviolenceandunemployment,whichledthemtoconcludethat“electionsarejustashowandtheyhavechosenwhotheywantbeforehand.”340

Intermsofaccesstogovernmentpositions,womenappeartohavelimitedopportunities,particularlyinthedistricts.InIstalif,onlytwowomenareemployedingovernmentpositions,outofatotalof41governmentemployeesreportedinthe10existinginstitutionsinthedistrict.BothwereemployeesoftheDirectorateofPublicHealth.InKhak-eJabbar,noneofthe11governmentemployeesinthefivegovernmentinstitutionspresentatthedistrictlevelwerewomen.

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

OutspokenindividualsinKabularesaidtofacethreats,abductionordeath.341Thetargetsarethosewhoexpose“politicalfacts.”342TheallegedpresenceofboththeTalibanandDaeshintheprovince,a“fifthcolumninthegovernancesystem,”asakeyinformantdescribesthem,heightendangersforjournalists,politicians,civilsocietyorganizationsandlocalelders,andcausesthemtorefrainfromtellingthetruthfreely.343

337FGD-F-Kab-Go-5338KI-F-Kab-NG-1339FGD-F-Kab-CS-8,FGD-F-Kab-Go-5,FGD-M-Kab-CS-3,KI-M-Kab-NG-4,KI-F-Kab-Go-1,KI-M-Kab-P1-1,FGD-F-Kab-Go-4,FGD-M-Kab-CS-2340FGD-F-Kab-Go-4,confirmedbyFGD-M-Kab-CS-2341KI-F-Kab-CS-7,KI-F-Kab-CS-6342KI-F-Kab-Go-1343KI-M-Kab-NG-4

www.appro.org.af

59

Accessinginformationfromgovernmentinstitutions,includingbyjournalistsandorganizations,isreportedlychallenging.Accordingtoakeyinformantthisisbecausegovernmentagenciescreatebarriersandtreatrequestorsininappropriateorhumiliatingways.344

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

AccessandqualityissuesaresaidtocompromisehealthrightsinKabulprovince.Thedatafromgovernmentinstitutionsonhealthfacilitiesattheprovinciallevelarecontradictory.ConflictingnumbersareprovidedbytheMinistryofPublicHealthanditsdirectoratesinthedistricts.Informationonawarenessraisingprogramsonhealthissuesandaddictiontreatmentservicesarenotavailable.Whilethereissomeavailabilityofpre-andpost-maternalcarethroughouttheprovince,pre-marriagebloodtestsandSTDtestsarenonexistent.Thereareonlytwoaddictiontreatmentcenters,bothinKabulcity.345Vaccinationisavailableforchildren,buttherearenopediatricservicesinIstaliforKhak-eJabbar.ThoughpeoplehaveaccesstopublicandprivatehealthservicesinKabulCity,poorqualitymotivatesthosewhocantoseektreatmentinIndiaandPakistan.346InIstalif,aclinicimplementedbyaninternationalNGOhasdeterioratedafterthegovernmenttookoveritsoperations:

Onlyonefemaledoctorandanursearepresenttwotimesaweekinthehealthcenter.Itcloseseverydayat12pm.Thereisnofirstaidandnoseparateroomforlabor.347

Similarly,inKhak-e-Jabbardistricttherearetwohealthfacilitiesandonepublichospital.ThedoctorvisitsintermittentlyfromKabulandthehealthcentersarepoorlystockedwithmedicineandequipment.Accordingtooneinterviewee,thesecentersdonotevengivepainkillerstothepatientsandallmedicinehastobeboughtfromthemarket.348Thedistancestohealthfacilitiesforpatientsandmedicalstaffcontributetounwillingnessbypatientsandstafftogotothecenters,resultinginevenpoorerhealthoutcomes.Womenwhoseektreatmentoftenleaveearlyinthemorning,withthehopeoftakingaridefromfriendsoracquaintancesbuttheyriskgettinghomeafterdark,whichcanbedangerous.349Patientswhotravellongdistancestothecentersoftenhavetowaitforlongperiodsforthedoctortoarriveoruntilthedoctorhasseentotheearlierarrivals.350Somecorruption–Intheformofrequiringpaymentsforserviceatpublicfacilitiesanddoctorsreceivingkickbacksfrompharmacies–isreportedandtherearewidespreadcomplaintsabouthavingtopurchasemedicinesinthemarket,ratherthanreceivethemforfreeattheclinic.

344KI-M-Kab-NG-4345Noreliabledatacouldbecollectedfromofficialsourcesonpediatriccare,servicesforrapevictims,orcontraceptionservices,thoughthelatterwerementionedtobeavailable.Numbersontheavailabilityofpublichealthfacilitiesalsovariedconsiderablybetweenactorsinterviewed,includingbetweentheHealthManagementInformationsystemoftheMinistryofPublicHealthinKabulandDirectoratesofPublicHealthinthedistricts.Thosealsodifferedfromtheinformationcollectedfromcivilsocietymembersonthefield.346KI-M-Kab-P1-1347FGD-F-Kab-Go-4confirmedbyKI-F-Kab-CS-7348FGD-F-Kab-CS-8349FGD-M-Kab-CS-2350FGD-M-Kab-CS-1

www.appro.org.af

60

Healthcentersdeliverreproductiveandsexualhealthservicesbuttheservicesareinadequate,especiallyinthedistricts.WomenandchildrenfromIstalifarereportedtohavediedduetothelackoffullaccesstohealthservices.351Pre-marriagebloodtestsarenotconductedbut,accordingtoakeyinformant,MoOHhasaspecialcommissiononthetreatmentandpreventionofAIDSandhepatitistaskedwithprovidingawarenessaboutthediseases.Numbersprovidedofchildrenimmunizedvarysignificantly.InIstalif,theDepartmentofPublicHealthstatedthat120childrenhadbeenimmunizedagainstpreventablediseasesbetweenSeptemberandDecember2015.TheMinistryofPublicHealthinKabulreports444childrenimmunizedoverthesameperiod.SimilardiscrepancieswerenotedinKhak-eJabbar,withanapproximatenumberof130childrenimmunizedaccordingtodistrictofficialsagainst581accordingtonationallevelstatisticsfromMoPH.

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

RightstoadequatehousinginKabulProvinceareovershadowedbyinterviewees’concernsaboutwaterandelectricity.Inthedistrictspeoplerelyonhandpumpsandpipelinewater,thoughvolumescanbeseasonallyscarcebecausepowerholderssellthewater,leavingtoolittleavailableforthecommunities.352Sanitationfacilitiesarepooringeneralbutevenpoorerinoutlyingdistricts.InKhak-eJabbarinhabitantsusecommoncanalsassewerswhileinIstalifunlinedwellsareusedforsewagedisposal.InIstalifandKhak-eJabbarareported90percentofthepopulationdoesnothaveaccesstopropersanitation.FortypercentofthepopulationinIstalifdoesnothaveaccesstorunningwater.InKhad-eJabbar30percentofthepopulationdoesnothaveaccesstorunningwater.353InIstalifsolartilesandhydropowerarethemainsourcesofelectricity.InKhak-eJabbaronlysolarenergyisavailable.Accesstodecenthousingisunderminedbydisputesoverlandownership.LandtenureissuesinKabulprovincearecausedbyforcedusurpationofgovernmentlandbylocalpowerholdersorKuchis(nomads)anddisputesoverlandtitleandinheritancerightsamongfamilymembers.354Womenareoftendeprivedoftheirinheritancerightstoland.Thewomenwhoasserttheirrightstolandcanbethreatenedbyfamilymembersorlocalelders,andfacebeingostracizedintheircommunities.355

FoodSecurity

Poorpeopleareoftenhelpedbytheirneighborswhodonatefoodandclothing.Insomeneighborhoodstheneighborhoodrepresentatives(wakil-egozars)identifiesfoodinsecurefamiliesandrefersthemtocharityorganizationsforassistance.Somecharityorganizationsissuecardstotherefereeswhocanthenusethecardstoreceivefoodassistance.Somewealthyindividualssuchaspropertyownersandmerchantsalsomakesignificantfooddonationsfortheneedy.Thefoodstuffsprovidedaretypicallyrice,flour,beans,andcookingoil.Non-foodassistanceincludesblankets,clothing,andwinterfuel.Thereisnogovernmenthelpavailableforthefoodinsecure.Also,mosquesdonotprovidefoodassistance.356

351FGD-F-Kab-Go-4352FGD-F-Kab-Go-4353InterviewswithDistrictGovernors’offices,December2015.354KI-F-Kab-CS-7355KI-F-Kab-CS-7,KI-M-Kab-CS-9356KI-M-Kab-CS-4,KI-M-Kab-CS-8

www.appro.org.af

61

RighttoEducation

Inthethreedistrictsyouthandchildren(mostlymale)haveaccesstoeducationservicesthoughthequalityoftheeducationispoor.Thereisagenerallackofsufficienttextbooks,learningmaterials,equipmentandteachers,particularlyfemaleteachers.NumbersfromtheMinistryofEducationindicatethereisatotalof4,193maleteachersand1,038femaleteachersintheentireprovince,aratioofmaletofemaleteachersof4to1.Whiletheratioofboystogirlsinprimaryschoolsisquiteclose(1to1.2),girls’attendancedropssignificantlyinmiddleandhighschool,withofficialnumbersciting2.3boysforonegirlinmiddleschool,and2boysforonegirlinhighschool.357Girls’accesstoschoollessensoutsideofKabulCity.ThirtyfivepercentofallstudentsarefemaleinIstalif.358WhilethereisatechnicaltrainingschoolattachedtoahighschoolinIstalifwheregirlscanattend,fewergirlsattendthaninthepast.359InKhak-eJabbartherearenoeducationalfacilitiesforgirlspastmiddleschool,andonlyonefemaleteacherfortheentiredistrictcomparedto85maleteachers.Over17percentofallstudentsarefemale.Girlsaresaidtobeveryinterestedinattendingschoolbuttherearenovocationalortrainingcoursesforoldergirlsandwomen.360Thereisoneinstituteofhigherlearning(grades13and14)inKhake-Jabbar,whichisformalesonly.361Table3:NumberofschoolsdisaggregatedbytypeinIstalifandKhakiJabbar362

Primaryschool MiddleSchool HighSchoolDistrictBoysonly

Girlsonly

Staggereduse363

Boysonly

Girlsonly

Staggereduse

Boysonly

Girlsonly

Staggereduse

Istalif 3 1 2 3 2 1 3 3 1Khak-eJabar 3 3 0 4 2 0 4 0 0Classesareofshortduration,typicallyexceed60students,andsometimesschoolslackfacilitieswithsomeclassesbeingheldintents.364Families’economicproblemsarethoughttobethemainbarriertochildrenandyouth’seducationalpursuits,andsomefamiliesrestrictgirlsfromattendingschoolbeyondtheageof12or13.365Evenmodestneeds,suchasshoes,canbeabarrierfortrulypoorfamilies,asonefocusgroupdiscussionparticipantputit:

Childrenfromfamilieswithpooreconomicstatusaredeprivedofliteracy.Howcanachildtravel2or3kilometerswhenhedoesnothaveshoes?366

CorruptionisaproblematschoolsinKhak-eJabbardistrict,takingatleasttwoforms.Nepotismexistsineducationalemployment.InoneschoolinKhak-e-Jabbar,twosonsoftheheadteacherhavebeenemployed.Localelders’requeststothedistrictcounciltoexpandemploymentopportunitiestoothers

357InterviewwithMinistryofPublicHealth,Kabul.358InterviewwiththeDirectorateofEducation,Istalif,January2016.359FGD-F-Kab_GO-4360FGD-F-Kab-CS-8361InterviewwiththeDirectorateofEducation,Khak-eJabbar,December2015.362AccordingtolocalDirectoratesofEducation363“Staggereduse”referstoschoolswhichareusedalternativelyforboysandgirlsatdifferentperiodsoftheday.364FGD-F-Kab-Go-5,confirmedbyFGD-M-Kab-CS-1,KI-M-Kab-CS-9,KI-M-Kab-NG-4365KI-F-Kab-Go-1,FGD-F-Kab-Go-4,FGD-F-Kab-Go-5366FGD-M-Kab-CS-2

www.appro.org.af

62

havebeenrejected.367Thereisalsopoorperformanceorabsenteeismamongteachers,whodonotregularlyshowupforworkordonotcoverthewholecurriculum.Someteachershavebeenknowntocompelchildrentoworkonharvestingcropsandcollectingwaterorfuel,withthethreatofreceivingpoorgradesiftheydonotcomply.368

FamilyRights

Disputesoverinheritanceandmahrcansometimesleadtodomesticviolence.369Themostcommonformofviolenceagainstchildrenisdenialofaccesstoeducation.Menaresaidtoalsobeatriskofpsychologicalviolenceperpetratedbywiveswhoareunhappywiththeirearnings.370InKabulcity,AIHRCrecorded737casesofviolenceagainstwomenbetweenSeptemberandDecember2015.Themostprominentwomen-relatedcasesreportedtoformalinstitutionsarebeatings,homicide,suicideandcasesofrunawaygirls.371Economicproblemsareoftenseenasoneoftherootcausesofdomesticviolence.Mostwomenbeartheviolenceanddonotreportitinordertokeepthepeaceandmaintainfamilyreputation.372InIstalifforinstance,whilefocusgroupdiscussionswithfemalerespondentsrepeatedlyhighlightedtheextentofviolenceagainstgirlsandwomen,thepolicehadrecordednocaseofviolenceagainstwomeninthefourmonthsleadinguptothevisitbytheresearchers.373InKhak-e-Jabbarthereisthoughttobelessviolenceagainstwomenthaninthepastbecausepeople’sawarenessofwomen’srightsandappreciationforfairtreatmenthasimproved.ThreecasesofviolenceagainstwomenhadbeenreportedtothepolicebetweenSeptemberandDecember2015,includingonecaseofbeating,oneofmurderofadaughter,andoneofrape.Akeyissueisthatifwomenareviolatedandreportittothedistrictofficials,thecaseislikelynottobetreatedasacrimeandinsteadtheperpetratorisonlyaskedtopromisenottorepeattheviolenceagain.374TherearenoDepartmentsofWomen’sAffairsorwomen’ssheltersinIstalifandKhak-eJabbar.KabulCityhasFamilyResponseUnits(FRUs)andwomen’sshelters.Women’ssheltersaretaskedwithhelpingwomeninfamilydisputes,buttheysufferfromaverynegativeimagewithinthecommunity.Atotalof80womenwerereportedtobeshelteredinKabulprovince.375AkeyinformantdemandedthatgovernmentauthoritiesmustfindasolutionforchangingthenegativeperceptionofFRUsinthemindsofthepublic.376

EconomicRights

RighttoFairnessinEmployment

AmyriadofchallengesundermineemploymentopportunitiesinKabulprovinceforbothmenandwomen.Overalleconomicactivitythroughoutthecountry,andparticularlyinKabul,hasbeenaffected

367FGD-M-Kab-CS-2368FGD-M-Kab-CS-2369FGD-F-Kab-Go-5;FGD-M-Kab-CS-1370FGD-M-Kab-CS-1371InterviewswithAIHRC,DoWA,FRUs,HumanRightsDepartmentatKabulPoliceheadquarters,December2015.372FGD-F-Kab-Go-4373FGD-F-Kab-Go-4374FGD-F-Kab-CS-8375InterviewwithPoliceHeadquarters,Kabul,December2015.376KI-M-Kab-NG-4

www.appro.org.af

63

bymajorsecuritychallengesresultinginlackofinvestorconfidenceandlowerlevelsofdevelopmentaidflowingintothecountryresultinginlargelossesofaid-dependentprofessionalandauxiliaryjobs.Womenengagedinhome-basedactivitiessuchastailoring,embroidery,andcreatingfurproductsdohaveseenamajorreductioninthedemandfortheirproducts.377Outsidetheprivatesector,manygovernmentdepartmentshavefrozenentrypositions,offeringfewemploymentopportunitiesforthedrovesofnewlyqualifieduniversitygraduates.378

Nepotismandbriberyfurthercompoundaccesstoemployment,especiallyforwomen.WithoutintermediariesitisdifficulttogetajobwiththegovernmentorNGOs.379Akeyinformantstatedthatwomenmustpay10,000Afghanisinbribetosecureajobasateacher.380

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

TherearenoreliablestatisticsontheworkingpopulationinKabulCity.InIstaliftheestimatesofunemploymentare90percentofadultmaleand95ofadultfemales.InKhak-eJabbartheseestimatesweregivenas70formenand98percentforwomen.Lackofeconomicstabilityandunemploymentwererepeatedlymentionedasoneofthemostprominentchallengesfacedbyadultsinallthreetargetdistricts,triggeringmigrationofyoungmaleadults.

WomeninKabulCityarerelativelymoreinvolvedinincomegenerationthanthewomeninIstalifandKhak-eJabbar.However,workingwomenreportfacingharassmentinandoutoftheirworkplaces.Anumberofwomenspokeof“illegitimate”,sexuallysuggestive,requestsbysomemalecoworkersandsuperiors.381

377FGD-F-Kab-Go-4;KI-F-Kab-CS-7;FGD-M-Kab-CS-3;KI-M-Kab-CS-5378KI-F-Kab-Go-1379KI-M-Kab-CS-9380KI-F-Kab-CS-7381KI-M-Kab-P1-1,KI-M-Kab-NG-4,FGD-F-Kab-Go-5

www.appro.org.af

64

Kandahar

KandaharprovinceislocatedintheSouthofAfghanistan.ItbordersHelmandprovincetotheWest,UruzganprovincetotheNorth,ZabulprovincetotheNorthEastandPakistantotheEastandSouth.ThemainwatersourceistheArghandabRiverflowingWestintoHelmand.TheArghandabisjoinedinthecenteroftheprovincebytheArghestanandTarnakrivers.85percentoftheprovinceisflatlandwithcultivatedareas,mainlywithvineyardsandorchands,concentratedintheNorthoftheArghandabrivervalley.Kandahar’spopulationisestimatedatover1.2million,65percentofwhichlivesinruralsettings.382ThedistrictofSpinBoldakandKandaharcenterconcentratethehighestpopulationestimates,whileRegandShurabakdistrictsintheRigestandeserthavethelowestpopulationdensity.TheoverwhelmingmajorityofprovincialresidentsarePashtun,withsmallTajikminoritiesinKhakriz,DamanandPanjwayeedistricts,BaluchminoritiesinReg,PanjwayeeandArghestan,aHazaracommunityinKhakriz,andasmallHindupopulationintheprovincialcenter.383ThemainlanguagespokenintheprovinceisPashto.Kandaharprovincehostsapopulationofcloseto80,000Kuchinomadsinthewinter.384Thereare16officialadministrativeunitsinKandahar.ThosetargetedforthisstudyaretheprovincialcenterofKandahar/DandandthedistrictsofArghandabandDaman.KandaharCityTheprovincialcenterofKandaharCityisamajordomesticandinternationaltradecenter,wheremostlineministriesandotherentitiessuchasAISAandACCIhaverepresentations.MajorroadsincludetheKabul-Kandaharhighway,whichconnectsKandahartomajorcitiesinAfghanistanontheAfghanRingRoadsystem.AnothermajortransportrouterunsfromneighboringPakistantoKandaharcity,throughthedistrictofSpinBoldakwhichfunctionsasatradinghubwithPakistan.KandaharinternationalairportisusedbydomesticandinternationalflightstoPakistanandIran.ArghandabArghandabdistrictislocatedinthecenteroftheprovinceimmediatelyNorthofKandaharCityandisadjacenttoZheraydistricttotheWest,KhakrezdistricttotheNorthWest,ShahwalikotdistricttotheNorthEastandDamandistricttotheEast.Thepopulationisestimatedatbetween60,000and120,000inhabitants.385ThedistrictisentirelyPashtun.Therearenineofficialgovernmentadministrativeunitsinthedistrict,withfemalestaffintheDirectorateofPublicHealth.DamanDamandistrictbordersZabulprovincetotheNorthEast,thedistrictsofArghestanandSpinBoldaktotheEast,RegdistricttotheSouth,thedistrictsofPanjwayee,Kandahar/DandandArghandabtotheWest,andShahwalikotdistricttotheNorth.TheArghestanandTarnakrivers,bothtributariesofthe

382CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;StructuredInterviewwithProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Kandahar,December2015.383StructuredInterviewwithProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Kandahar,December2015.384MRRD/NABDP(2012),KandaharProvincialProfile.385StructuredInterviewwithDistrictGovernor’sOffice,Arghandab,December2015.

www.appro.org.af

65

Arghandab,flowthroughthedistrictfromtheNorthEast.ThedistrictislocatedontheKabul-KandaharandChaman-Kandaharhighways.Districteconomyreliesprimarilyonagricultureandanimalhusbandry.Thepopulationisestimatedatbetween35,000and80,000.386TheoverwhelmingmajorityofthepopulationisPashtun,withasmallminorityofBaluchresidents.Pashtoisthemainlanguage.387Therearetengovernmentaladministrationspresentatthedistrictlevel,withfemalestaffreportedonlyintheDirectorateofPublicHealth.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

Thereisoverallsatisfactionwiththesecuritysituationandthebehaviorofthepolicetowardthecitizens.388Thereareover7,196policeofficersinKandahar,consistingof7,100malesand96females.389ALPisalsoheldinhighregard:

Localpolice[ALP]arefromourcommunitysotheyareknownbyus,treatuswell,andknowwhattodobetterthan[outsiders].390

ALPisinvolvedinsomeillicitactivitiesbutthecitizensoverlookthisbecausetheyfeelALPpersonnelareearnevenlessthanANPsalaries.TheMoIinKandaharappearstohaveanactivesystemformonitoringviolencebythepolice.DuringtheSeptember-December2015periodtherewere40casesofdeath,injuryordisappearanceinconjunctionwithpoliceactions,andonecaseinwhichapoliceofficerwaschargedwithabuseandpunished.391Therearesomereservations,nevertheless,aboutANP:

Ourneedsarenotmetunlesswebribethepoliceorotherofficials.Ipersonallyhavegivenbribesmorethan10times.Nobodycaresaboutit.Whenwecomplaintoanti-corruptionofficials,theysaywecannothelp.392

Conflictsamongcitizensandviolenceareusuallyrelatedtoinheritancerightsandusurpationoflandandwater.Conflictsoverlandarerootedinhistoryandlocalpolitics.Dislocationduringthecivilwaryearsledtolandbeingusurped,precipitatingconflictwhentheoriginalownerreturned.393Furthercomplicatingmatters,eachconsecutivegovernorandmayorhashadhisownlanddevelopmentprogramthathasbeenaccusedofbeingillegitimatebysubsequentleaders.394Mostland-related

386CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;StructuredinterviewwiththeDistrictGovernor’sOffice,Daman,December2015.387StructuredinterviewwiththeDistrictGovernor’sOffice,Daman,December2015.388FGD-M-Kan-CS-1,KI-M-Kan-CS-4,KI-M-Kan-PI-1,FGD-F-Kan-Go-3,KI-M-Kan-CS-5,FGD-M-Kan-CS-2,FGD-M-Kan-CS-3,FGD-F-Kan-Go-4389KeyinformantwithMOI390FGD-M-Kan-CS-1,FGD-F-Kan-Go-3,FGD-F-Kan-Go-4391KeyinformantinterviewrepresentingtheProvincialChiefofPolice392FGD-M-Kan-CS-1393FGD-M-Kan-CS-1394KI-M-Kan-PI-1

www.appro.org.af

66

conflictsaremediatedbylocaleldersandsometimesdistrictofficials.395ThecrimesrecordedintheSeptember-December2015periodincludemurders,trafficinjuriesandfatalities,theft,otherinjuries,andhandlingstolengoods.396Manychargethatthereisextensiveadministrativecorruptionintheprovince,involvingalllineministries,theAttorneyGeneral’sOffice,andthecourts.Thereisalsoageneralviewthatgovernmentunitsdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,genderandethnicity.397Forexample:

MonthsagoIwasworkingforaprojectthatdeliverstrainingforthepeopleinourdistrict.Wewereteachingcomputerskillstoschoolteachers.Oneday,theDirectorofEducationsaid:‘Collectmoneyfromthestudentsandgiveusashare.’Wemanagedtoconvincehimtochangehismindandsowedidnotmakeaformalcomplaint.398

FairandEffectiveJusticeMechanisms

Peoplegenerallyrelythetraditionaljusticesystem,specificallylocalcouncilsandeldersandreligiousleaders.Disputesthatcannotberesolvedthroughthetraditionalsystemaresometimestakentoformaljusticeinstitutions.Reasonsfornotusingformaljusticeinstitutionsincludecorruption,lackprofessionalism,andsusceptibilityofjudgestoexternalinfluence.399Similarcriticismsarelevelledatthepolice.400WomeninKandaharhavemoreaccesstoeldersthantheformaljusticesystem.401

Children’sRights

Childrenareexposedtoarangeofrightsabusesandviolenceincludingearlyandforcedmarriages,baad,denialofinheritancerights,deprivationfromeducation,andinextremecases,abductionormurderininheritancedisputesandextortionschemes.402NGOsincludingUNICEFandSavetheChildrenhaveprogramsforchildreninsomepartsoftheprovinceandthereisachildren’scorrectionalcenterintheKandaharJusticeDepartment.403FewcrimesinvolvingchildrenhadbeenrecordedfortheperiodSeptember-December2015.404Thereareunregisteredreportsofsexualabuse,however,particularlyofchildrenfrominternallydisplacedandpoorfamilies.405Childrenhavenospecialprovisionsforaccesstojustice:“Governmentdoesnotcareaboutchildrenandchildren’sissuesarenotadequatelyaddressed.”406

395FGD-F-Kan-Go-3,FGD-F-Kan-Go-4396Keyinformantwithpoliceheadquarters397KI-F-Her-CS-7KI-M-Her-Go-7, KI-M-Her-CS-8, KI-F-Her-NG-2, KI-F-Her-CS-6, FGD-M-Her-CS-2, FGD-F-Her-Go-3, FGD-F-Her-Go-5, FGD-M-Her-CS-1398KI-F-Her-CS-6399FGD-M-Kan-CS-1,KI-M-Kan-CS-5400KI-M-Kan-PI-1401FGD-F-Kan-Go-5402KI-M-kan-CS-4,FGD-M-Kan-CS-1403FGD-F-Kan-Go-5404Keyinformantinterviewrepresentingpoliceheadquarters405FGD-M-Kan-CS-1,KI-M-Kan-PI-1406FGD-M-Kan-CS-1

www.appro.org.af

67

Workingchildrenoftenfacedifficultandunsafeconditions.407Childlaborisreportedtohaveincreasedinthelast2-3yearsduetoeconomicneedofmanyfamilies,precludingmanychildrenfromgoingtoschool.408Childrenworkinworkshopsandbrickfactories,collectscrapwoodandmetals,beg,dofarmwork,collectdrinkingwaterfromremoteareas,andwashcarsonstreets.

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Problemswiththemostrecentpresidentialelectionin2014haveunderminedtheconfidenceofmanyaboutfutureelections.Forexample,

Wewillparticipateinfutureelectionsbecauseitisourrightbutthepreviouselectionwasfulloffraud….Insomeelectoralcenters,onepersonhad2,000votingcardsthatwerecastforaspecificcandidate.Ballotboxeswerefilledinthehouseofthevillageleader.Ifthecomingelectionislikethepreviousone,especiallyintermsofsecurity,nobodywillparticipate.409

Duringthe2014electionsthevotersexperiencedintimidation(“therewasapersonstandingbytheboxwhomademevoteforhisfavoritecandidate”),disillusionment(“unemploymentisaseriousproblemandnobodyhasfulfilledhiscampaignpledges”),anddiscrimination(“womenwerenotallowedtovote,theirvotingcardweretaken”).410Securityandtransparencyaredescribedasthenecessarypreconditionsforpeopletoexercisetheirrighttovoteandmanyarehopefulthattheintroductionofelectronicidentificationcardswillreducefraud.411Corruptionintheformsofbriberyandnepotismplaguesaccesstogovernmentpositions:“Rightnowpeoplewhoarenotfromthecampaignofficesofthetwopresidentialcandidatescannotbeinseniorgovernmentpositions.”412

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

Freedomofexpressionandbeliefisseverelylimitedandassociatedwithsignificantrisk.Peoplewhospeakfranklycanfacethreatsbygovernmentrepresentativesoroppositiongroupsandtherearecasesofjournalistshavingbeenbeatenup.Manyjournalists,tribalelders,andcivicactivistshavebeenkilledinprovincebecausetheyexposedthetruthaboutsomesituation.413IntheSeptember-December2015periodtherewerethreecasesofthreatsorpressureagainstjournalistsandonecaseofdeathofaCSOactivist.414Dangerexistsforoutspokenleadersinthedistrictsaswell:uptothirtyoutspokentribaleldershavebeenmurderedinthelast2-3years.415ThesourcesofthethreatscanbegovernmentofficialsandAOGs.416Accesstogovernmentdataislimited.Publicofficesdonotprovideinformationuponrequest,andthereislittleornoknowledge,orappreciation,ofthe

407FGD-M-Kan-CS-1,KI-M-Kan-CS-4,KI-M-Kan-PI-1,FGD-F-Kan-Go-3,KI-M-Kan-CS-5,FGD-M-Kan-CS-2408FGD-M-Kan-CS-1,FGD-F-Kan-Go-3,FGD-F-Kan-Go-4409FGD-M-Kan-CS-3410KI-F-Kan-CS-7,FGD-M-Kan-CS-3411FGD-M-Kan-CS-3412KI-F-Kan-NG-1,FGD-M-Kan-CS-1413FGD-M-Kan-CS-1414Keyinformantfamiliarwiththemediasector415KI-M-kan-CS-4416KI-M-Kan-CS-5

www.appro.org.af

68

AccesstoInformationLaw.417Themajorityofthe21mediaoutletsinKandaharareprivatelyowned,includingnineprivateradiostations,fivenewspapers,andtwomagazines.418

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

AccessistohealthservicesisbetterinKandaharCityascomparedtothedistricts.Theonepublichospitalintheprovince,MirwaisRukhtun,issaidtoprovideverygoodservices.Thereare44comprehensiveandbasichealthcenters,providingfreeservices,staffedby701healthproviders.Therearealso14privatehospitalsand14privateclinics.419Therearecomplaintsaboutavailabilityandqualityofhealthfacilities,however.InArghandaabdistrict,thereareonlyfourclinicsservingapopulationofroughly150,000.420Inadditiontogovernmentclinics,anorganizationcalledBaranalsocontributestothedeliveryofhealthservicesinthedistricts.Thereislessserviceavailabilityinborderdistricts,especiallyRegistanandShuraback,wherethegovernmenthaslittleornocontrol.Thereareservicesinthecenterformothers,children(includingvaccinations),andcontraceptivesbuttherearenoservicesforvictimsofsexualassaultorpre-marriagebloodtests.Thereisonecentertreatingmaleswithaddictionproblemsandthreemixedgenderaddictiontreatmentcenters.421NGOsthroughthemedia,andnotclinicsorhospitals,disseminateinformationaboutsexuallytransmitteddiseasesbutlittleofthisinformationreachesthedistricts.422

RighttoAdequateHousing

ManyIDPsinKandaharCityliveintemporarysheltersandanestimated20percentofthetotalpopulationliveinsoftstructures.423Anestimated70percentofthepopulationhasaccesstocleanwater,25percenthasaccesstoappropriatesanitation,and15percenthasaccesstoelectricity.424Availabilityofpowerfromthegridcanbeoneortwonightsperweekformostfamilies.Manybusinessesclosewhenthereisnopoweroroperateatlowcapacity.425InArghandaabandDamaandistrictspeopletherearecomplaintsaboutaccesstoirrigationwaterdue,inpart,toabreakdownintraditionalwaterrationingandthestructuresforstoringanddistributingwatersuchasthedamonArghandaabRiver.426AlthoughtherearesomeproblemswithsecurityoflandtenureinKandahar,usurpationandthedenialofinheritancerightsarelessfrequentthaninthepast:

417KI-M-Kan-CS-5,KI-M-Kan-PI-1418Keyinformantfamiliarwiththemediasector419KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH420KI-M-kan-CS-4421KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH422KI-F-Kan-NG-1423KeyinformantrepresentingKandaharMunicipality424KeyinformantrepresentingKandaharMunicipality425KI-F-Kan-NG-1426FGD-F-Kan-Go-3,KI-M-kan-CS-4

www.appro.org.af

69

InthepastinKandahar,peoplehadproblemsduetoalackoffunctioninggovernmentandthepresenceofthepowerful,andtheirlandswereusurped.ButKandaharprovincehasaddressedthisproblemseriously.427

Thereare,however,somecasesofpubliclandsbeingillegallyclaimedanddistributedbythepowerfulinDamaan.428Somereportthatthereareveryfewcasesofwomenbeingdeprivedoftheirlandinheritancerights.Forexample:

Womenreceivewhateverduetothemaccordingtoreligionandlawincludinginheritance.Ourcouncilsandreligiousleadersareverysensitiveinthisregard.429

Othersclaimthattherehavebeenmanycasesofwomennotreceivingtheirlandinheritance.430

FoodSecurity

AgovernmentofficialestimatedthataroundfivepercentofthepopulationinKandaharisalwaysfoodinsecuredespitethepresenceoftheWFPinalldistrictsandtheUNprogramFoodZoneinsomedistricts.431Governmentassistanceisonlyprovidedinemergenciessuchasfloodsandearthquakes.DoLSAMDprovidessomeassistancetofamiliesthathavelostmembersasaresultofarmedconflict.Thedisabledarepaid65,000Afghanisperyear.InternationalorganizationsworkingonfoodsecurityinKandaharincludeNRC,UNICEF,UNHCR,andOHW.Theseentitiesprovidethefoodinsecurewithflour,rice,chickpeas,beans,oil,andsometimescookingware.432Thereisthetraditionofbettertodofamilieshelpingoutthepoorerfamilieswithfoodandclothing.But,thisislimitedsincemostfamiliesarethemselvesindifficulteconomicconditions.Somefamilieswithmembersworkingabroadaredependentonremittancesforbuyingfood.433Mosquesdonotprovidefoodforthehungry.However,duringFridayprayers,themullahsbroadcastmessagesonbehalfoffamiliesandindividualswhoneedurgentassistanceforemergenciessuchasfunerals.434

RighttoEducation

Therighttoeducationvariesbylocationandgender,withaccessandqualitygenerallybetterinthecenterthanthedistricts,andboyshavingmoreaccessandoveralongerperiodthangirls.Inthecenter,accessforbothboysandgirlsisrelativelygood.Tribalelderssuperviseschoolsinspiremorepublic

427KI-M-Kan-NG-4428KI-M-kan-CS-4429KI-M-Kan-CS-5430KI-F-Kan-Go-6,FGD-F-Kan-Go-3431KeyinformantrepresentingKandaharMunicipality432KI-M-Kan-CS-8433KI-M-Kan-CS-4434KI-M-Kan-CS-8

www.appro.org.af

70

confidenceandtrustintheschools.435However,manyschoolsinthedistrictsdonothavepermanentstructuresandusetentsforclassrooms.436InArghandaabandDamaanaccesstoschoolishampered,especiallyforgirls,bythelackofsecurity,mobilityrestrictions,andtransportationdifficulties.437InDamaanevenboysfromremotevillagesattendschoolandmanycontinuetheirstudiesinKandaharaftergrade9,thepointatwhichtherearenoschoolsofthatlevelinthedistrict.Manyfaceaccommodationdifficulties,however,becausetherearenotenoughdormitoriestoaccommodatetheminthecity.Mostgirlsonlystudyuntilgrade6inthedistricts.Therearenotenoughfemaleteachersinpartbecausefemaleteacherscanfacethreats.438Thereare3,716maleteachersand689femaleteachersworkingin318schoolsintheprovince.439Arghandaabhas22schoolsincludingprimary,middleandhighschools,mitigatingtheneedforstudentstorelocatetothecentertocontinuemoreadvancedstudy.440

FamilyRights

Domesticviolenceandrelatedformsofrightsdeprivationagainstwomenandchildrenarehigh,withhusbandsandbrothers-in-lawbeingthemostcommonperpetrators.Womencanbegivenasbaadorexchangedthroughbadal.Forcedandearlymarriageiscommon,women’smobilityisrestricted,andtheirviewsarenotsoughtinfamilydecision-making.Disputesoverinheritancerightscanresultinviolencetowardswomenandchildren.441ThereisonlyoneFRUintheprovince,locatedinKandaharCity.Therearenowomen’ssheltersintheprovince.VeryfewwomengototheFRUorpoliceforfamilyrelatedissuesbecauseofthestigmaattachedtogoingoutsideofthefamilytoresolvedisputes.Insomeinstancesoffamilydisputesinthedistricts,andwhenthereisnoFRU,casesmaybereferredtoCriminalDepartments.442

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

Therehasbeenageneraleconomicdecline,andariseinunemployment,sincethewithdrawalofinternationaltroopsandtheassociatedreductioninconstructionprojectsandNGOsworkingintheprovince:

Accesstojobsislimited,andmanyyoungpeoplearejobless.InthepastthereweremanyNGOsinourprovincebutnowtherearefew.Thenumberofconstructioncompaniesisalsodecreasing.443

Thefewavailablejobsinthecenterandthedistrictsaregenerallyfilledthroughnepotism,bribery,ortheadvantageassociatedwithbeingfromaknownandwealthyfamily.Ethnicandlanguage

435FGD-M-Kan-CS-1436FGD-M-Kan-CS-1437FGD-F-Kan-Go-5438FGD-M-Kan-CS-3439KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoEd440KI-M-kan-CS-4441FGD-F-Kan-Go-4,FGD-F-Kan-Go-3442KI-F-Kan-CS-6,KI-F-Kan-CS-7443KI-M-Kan-PI-1

www.appro.org.af

71

discriminationoccursbecauseemployersgivepreferencetothosefromtheirowngroup,eveniftheyarenotpreviouslyacquainted.444Thefewwomenwhoworkoutsidethehomecanfaceworkplacediscriminationandsexualharassment.Whethermaleorfemale,thosewhoworkforgovernmentcanfacetheproblemofbeingthreatenedby“unknownpeople.”445

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

Therearesomejobsinconstruction,agriculture,andindustry.Thenumberofpeopleworkinginagriculturehasdroppedinthelastfewyears.ThefeweducatedwomenwhoworkedforNGOshavelosttheirjobsdueageneralwindingdownofoperationssincethesecuritytransitionin2014.Womenonlyhaveaccesstojobsinvolvinghandicraftproduction.446Thedemandforagriculturalproducts,especiallyfruits,hasdeclined,reducingthenumberofemployedyoungpeople.Thisriseinyouthunemploymentisseenasamaindriverforthehighaddictionrateamongyoungmen.447

444FGD-M-Kan-CS-1,KI-M-kan-CS-4,KI-M-Kan-PI-1445FGE-F-Kan-Go-3446KI-M-Kan-CS-5447KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoLSA

www.appro.org.af

72

Khost

KhostprovinceispartoftheformerprovinceLoyaPaktiaintheSouthEastofAfghanistan.448ItbordersPaktikaprovincetotheWest,PaktiatotheNorthWestandNorth,andsharesa135-kilometerborderwithPakistantotheSouthandEast.TheShamalrivercrossestheprovinceflowingtowardstheSouthEast,joinedbytheMangalriverinTerezayidistrict,flowingintoPakistan.Khostprovinceisdividedinto13administrativeunits.ThosetargetedforthisresearcharetheprovincialcenterofKhostMatun,TerezayiandMandozayidistricts.FollowingmilitaryoperationsinNorthWaziristaninJune2014,KhostsawaninflowofthousandsofrefugeefamiliesfromacrosstheborderinPakistan.26,511displacedfamilieshadbeenregisteredbyUNHCRintheprovinceinDecember2015,over11,000ofwhichhadsettledinGulancampinGurbuzdistrict.KhostisreportedlythemostdenselypopulatedprovinceoftheSoutheast.Whileunofficialestimatesaccountfor575,000settledinhabitantsintheprovince,unofficialestimatesareoveramillioninhabitants,withatleast95percentofthepopulationresidinginruralareas.449ThepopulationismainlyPashtunwithsmallTajikandSikhminoritiesinKhostMatun.TheprovincealsohostsasignificantKuchipopulation–perhapsthesecondhighestinthecountryafterNangarhar.ThemovementsofKuchinomadsintheprovincetriggertensionfromtimetotimeoverlandusethroughouttheprovince,andparticularlyinthevicinityofKhostMatun.450KhostMatunTheprovincialcapitalofKhostMatunisthecultural,politicalandeconomicheartofKhost,andmoregenerallyoftheSoutheastregion.Thepopulationisestimatedatover160,000inhabitants.Sincethe1990strade,remittancesandinvestmentfromtheGulfcountrieshavesupporteditsdevelopment.ManyIDPshavesettledin,KhostMatun,Guruzm,SperaandTanidistricts.451

448LoyaPaktia(GreaterPaktia)provinceusedtocomprisecurrentPaktika,Paktia,andpartsofGhazni,andretainsastrongregionalidentity.LoyaPaktiaunderwentafirstdismantlementunderthereignofDawudKhan(1973-1978),whenPaktikawasseveredfromtherestoftheprovince.Administrativereformsinitiatedin1978finalizedthecurrentadministrativedivision,carvingoutKhostandPaktiaprovincesintotheircurrentboundaries.Cf.TheLiaisonOffice(2014),“MajorLandDisputesandLandTitlingSystemofKhostProvince.ImplicationsforCollaborationbetweenTraditionalDisputeResolutionMechanismsandARAZI,”Kabul,availableat:http://www.tloafghanistan.org/Major%20Land%20Disputes%20and%20Land%20Titling%20Systems%20of%20Khost%20Province%20-%20USIP%20October%202014.pdf449CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;unofficialestimateswereprovidedbytheProvincialgovernor’sofficeinKhostMatun:StructuredInterviewwithProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Khost,January2016.450Cf.TribalLiaisonOffice(2008),“SoutheasternCluster:Paktia,KhostandPaktika,AfghanistanBorder-districtExploratoryassessment”,Kabul.OnlanddisputesandKuchisettlementprocesses,seeTheLiaisonOffice(2014),“MajorLandDisputesandLandTitlingSystemofKhostProvince.ImplicationsforCollaborationbetweenTraditionalDisputeResolutionMechanismsandARAZI,”Kabul,availableat:http://www.tloafghanistan.org/Major%20Land%20Disputes%20and%20Land%20Titling%20Systems%20of%20Khost%20Province%20-%20USIP%20October%202014.pdf451UNHCR(December2015),“KhostandPaktikaSituationUpdate”,availableat:http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Khost%20update_72.pdf

www.appro.org.af

73

TerezayiTerezay(orAliSher)districtislocatedintheEastofKhostprovince,ontheborderwithPakistanandonamajorroutetoNorthWaziristan.ItneighborsKhostMatundistricttotheWest,SabaridistricttotheNorthWestandBakdistricttotheNorth.Mostofthedistrictismountainousandcoveredinbareland,withsomeirrigatedlandintheMangal/Shamalrivervalley.OfficialstatisticsestimatethepopulationofTerezayiat45,600,whileunofficialestimatesrangefrom180,000toover200,000.452BetweenJune2014andDecember2015,UNHCRregistered1,566displacedfamiliesfromPakistaninTerezayi.TenpercentofthedistrictpopulationisPashtun.TherearesevengovernmentadministrationsinTerezayidistrictwithtwofemalestaffintheDirectorateofPublicHealth.MandozayiMandozayi(orIsmailKheil)districtislocatedinthecenterofKhostprovince,borderingKhostMatuntotheEastandNorthEast,NaderShahKotttotheNorthandNorthWest,andTanitotheSouth.ThedistrictislocatedinthecentralplainalongtheShamalriverandhasthelargestcultivatedareaintheprovince.Anestimated56,700individualsliveinthedistrictthoughotherestimatesrangefrom175,000toover400,000inhabitants.453TheentirepopulationisPashtun.Thereareninegovernmentadministrationspresentatthedistrictlevel,with6femalestaffintheDirectorateofPublicHealth.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

ThemajorityofintervieweesinKhostprovincearesatisfiedwithperformanceofnationalpolice.ItisunclearwhetherKhosthasALPthoughtherearereferencestoarmednon-uniformedindividualswhohadarrivedintheareaandcausedtensionswithothers.454InformationaboutthenumberofANPintheprovinceisclassified.455InTirazaidistrict,therelativelypoorsecuritysituationisthoughttobeduetoashortageANPpersonnel.456Incontrast,withtheappointmentofthenewheadofpoliceinMandozaidistrict,therehavebeenfewerincidentsoftheft.ThelowlevelofactivitybyDaeshorTalibanisattributedtofamiliescollaboratingwithoneanothertomaintainsecuritywithinthecommunity.CommunitymembersdescribeANPasfullyapproachableanduncorrupt.457ThisviewofANPiscontradictedbycommunityelderswhoclaimthatsomeANPpersonnelharasspeople.458

452CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;unofficialestimatescamefromtheDistrictGovernor(180,000),theDistrictChiefofPolice(190,000)andCommunityleaders(23,000householdsofapproximately10-12individuals):Structuredinterview,Terezayi,January2016.453CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;otherestimatescamefromtheDistrictChiefofPolice(175,000)andCommunityleaders(30,000householdsofapproximately10-15individuals):Structuredinterview,Mandozayi,January2016.454FGD-F-Kho-Go-5، FGD-F-Kho-Go-4455KeyinformantrepresentingtheprovincialFRU456FGD-F-Kho-Go-3,FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, KI-F-Kho-CS-7457FGD-M-Kho-CS-3458FGD-M-Kho-CS-2, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1, FGD-F-Kho-Go-5

www.appro.org.af

74

Therearenoreportsofdirectconfrontationwithadministrativecorruptionthoughthereisageneralperceptionthatbribesarerequestedbysomepersonnelinjusticeinstitutions,theeducationdepartment,thedistrictofficeandotherformaldepartments,motivatedbytheemployees’needsto“solvetheirproblems.”459

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

ThereisageneralsatisfactionwiththeformaljusticesysteminKhost.Itsperformanceisconsideredgoodindealingwithlandandfamilydisputes,whichrepresentmostofthecasesbroughttoit.FormallegalcasesareaddressedbytheHuqooqDirectorate.460Despitegenerallypositiveviewsoftheformaljusticesystem,mostpeoplerelyonthetraditionaljusticesystembecauseproceedingsareshorterandthereislesscorruptionincomparisontotheformaljusticesystem.461Therearedisparitiesinhowmenandwomenaretreatedbyboththeformalandtraditionaljusticesystems.Womenoftenchooseamaletorepresentthemindisputeresolutions.462FormaljusticeofficialsfacethreatsfromAOGs,particularlyinremotedistricts.463

Children’sRights

ViolenceagainstchildreninKhostincludesunderagemarriageforgirls,abduction,andpreventingchildrenfromattendingschool.464Veryfewcasesinvolvingchildrenreachtheformalortraditionaljusticesystems.465Nocasesofviolenceagainstchildrenwerereportedinthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.466Thereischildlaborintheprovinceincludingchildrenengagedinheavyphysicalworkbothinthecenterandthedistricts.Workingchildrenaremostlyfrompoor,displaced,and/orfemale-headedhouseholds.Children’sworkrangesfromfarmingtodirectmoneymakingactivitiessuchasshopkeeping,tailoring,streetvending,carryinggoods,polishingshoes,workingincarrepairshops,andwashingcars.467ItisuniformlyclaimedthatthereisnosexualabuseofchildreninKhostprovince.

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Votingisviewedbymanyasthe“onlywayofliftingusfromthepresentcrisis”butthereisalsodisappointmentaboutthelastroundofpresidentialelectionswithmanysettingpreconditionsthatmustmetforthemtovote.Manywomenaresaidtohavelostfaithafterthelastroundofelections.468Whileamyriadofproblemsareassociatedwiththelastelection,includinginsecurity,fraud,unprofessional

459KI-M-Kho-Go-6, FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, FGD-M-Kho-CS-2, KI-M-Kho-CS-4, KI-F-Kho-CS-7, KI-F-Kho-CS-6, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, KI-M-Kho-CS-5, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1460FGD-M-Kho-CS-2,KI-M-Kho-CS-4461FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-3, KI-M-Kho-Go-2, FGD-F-Kho-Go-5, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1, KI-F-Kho-CS-6, KI-F-Kho-CS-7, KI-M-Kho-CS-5, FGD-M-Kho-CS-3462FGD-M-Kho-CS-2,KI-M-Kho-CS-4, FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4463KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-M-Kho-Go-6, KI-M-Kho-NG-3, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, KI-F-Kho-Go-1464FGD-F-Kho-Go-5, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1, KI-M-Kho-NG-4465KI-F-Kho-CS-6466KeyinformantrepresentingtheprovincialFRU467KI-M-Kho-Go-6, KI-M-Kho-CS-4, KI-F-Kho-CS-7, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1, FGD-F-Kho-Go-5, KI-F-Kho-CS-6, KI-M-Kho-CS-5, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-F-Kho-Go-1, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-1468FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, KI-F-Kho-Go-1, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, FGD-F-Kho-Go-5

www.appro.org.af

75

behaviorofIECstaff,interferencebyforeigncountries,andshortagesofballotsandballotboxes,greatexpectationisbeingplacedontheintroductionofelectronicidentificationcardsandeffortstorebuildpublictrustandelectiontransparency.469

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

PrivatelyoperatedradiostationsdominatethemedialandscapeinKhost,constitutinghalfofthe15mediaoutletsintheprovince.Therearealsofourprivatelyownedmagazines.470Variouslyindividualsinvolvedinmediaworkhavereceivedthreats.Therearereportsofmedia-involvedindividualshavingbeenabducted,murdered,beatenup,receivedthreateninglettersandphonecalls,orhavingtheirhomesfirebombed.471Forexample:

Outspokenindividualsfacemanythreats.IfwepostsomethingagainstanofficialorMPonFacebook,theyimmediatelyfindourcontactnumbertothreatenus.ThiswaytheycompelustoremoveourpostsfromFacebook.Ifweexposeillegalactivitiesofthepowerful,theirrelativeswouldthreatenuswithmurderorbeatingoverthetelephone.Atnight,threatlettersaredistributedandthehousesofoutspokenindividualsgetfiredat.Localelderswhoexposethetruthinmeetings,wouldnolongerbeinvitedtosuchmeetings.472

However,nocasesofviolenceagainstjournalistsorrightsactivistshavebeenreportedinthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.473Journalistscomplainthattheyfacedifficultiesinaccessinginformationandmeetingwithofficialsforinterviews.474

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Therearetwopublicandtwoprivatehospitals,25publicbasicandcomprehensivehealthcarecenters,andfourprivateclinics.Thesefacilitiesarestaffedby111doctors(around15percentfemale)and185nurses(71percentfemale)andmidwives(allfemale).Twoaddictiontreatmentcentersalsooperateintheprovince.475Accessisbetterinthecenterthanthedistricts,thoughthedistrictsbenefitfromtheavailabilityofmobileclinics.InTirazaithereisaninsufficientnumberoffacilitiesforthepopulation.476Healthcarequalityisalsoamajorissuewithhealthfacilitieslackingequipmentandshortageofprofessionalstaff.Mostdoctorsarenotwillingtotraveltothedistrictsduetosecurityconcerns.477

469FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, FGD-M-Kho-CS-2,KI-M-Kho-CS-5, KI-F-Kho-CS-6, KI-F-Kho-CS-7, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, FGD-M-Kho-CS-3, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-3,KI-M-Kho-CS-4, KI-M-Kho-Go-6, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-M-Kho-Go-2470KeyinformantrepresentingamediaNGOoperatingintheprovince471KI-M-Kho-NG-3,KI-M-Kho-Go-6, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-F-Kho-CS-6,KI-F-Kho-CS-7, KI-M-Kho-CS-4, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-F-Kho-Go-1, KI-F-Kho-NG-1472KI-M-Kho-NG-3473KeyinformantrepresentingamediaNGOoperatingintheprovince474KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-M-Kho-CS-5475KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH476KI-M-Kho-Go-6, KI-M-Kho-CS-4, FGD-M-Kho-CS-2, FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, KI-F-Kho-CS-6, KI-M-Kho-NG-2477KI-F-Kho-CS-6, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-3, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, KI-M-Kho-Go-2, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1

www.appro.org.af

76

Pre-marriagebloodtestingisnotpracticed,contraceptivesarenotavailable,therearenotreatmentservicesforSTDs,andtherearenoservicesforrapevictims.478

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

AccesstowaterinKhostMatunisadequateandsolarpoweruseiscommon.Thereare,however,morechallengesaccessingwaterandelectricityindistrictsofKhost.479Thereareongoingcasesofdisputeonlandownershipdue,mainly,tothelargepopulationusurpationoflandsbythepowerful,andadministrativecorruption.Womengenerallydonotpursuetheirlandinheritancerights.Throughouttheprovincelanddisputesarefirstreferredtolocaleldersandiftheissuecannotberesolved,sometimesitisreferredtotheformalsystem.480Manylongstandingland-relateddisputespersist,however,andescalatetoviolencefromtimetotime.481Areported3,000displacedfamilieshavecometoKhostprovincefromPakistaninthelastfewyears,supportedfortheirbasicneedsbytheInternationalMigrationOrganization,WorldHealthOrganization,WorldFoodProgramme,andthegovernment.Manyhousingrelatedissuesremain,however,particularlyforthoseresidingaroundKhostMatun.482IDPsfromotherprovincesdonothavethesameaccesstobasichousingneedsasthoseoriginatingfromPakistan.483MostcontendthattheIDPsinKhosthaveincreasedthedemandforalreadystressedservicessuchashealthandeducationandcausedincreasesinrentsandthepricesofbasicgoods.Somebelievethattheinflowhasincreasedconstructionwork.484

FoodSecurity

Foodinsecurityappearsiswidespread.Anestimated200,000to250,000peopleareunabletofeedthemselvessufficientlyatleastonceaweek.485Thereisnoformofgovernmenthelpforthefoodinsecure.Thosewhodonothavesteadyincomeandarefoodinsecuretaketobegging,stealing,orsometimesprostitution:

Wehaveaskedgovernmentofficialrepeatedlythatsomethinghastobedonetocreateopportunitiesforpeopletohaveaccesstosteadyincomesotheydon’tgohungry,buttonoavail.486

ThereisagroupofpeopleinKhostthathasanarrangementwiththediasporainUAEbutalsoothercountriestoreceivedonationsforfoodstuffsforthoseinKhostwhocannotaffordit.Butthisisnotatallenoughtofeedallthoseinneed.Mostpeoplerelyonthegoodwilloftheirneighbors:

478KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH479FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, KI-F-Kho-CS-7, FGD-M-Kho-CS-3, FGD-F-Kho-Go-5480FGD-F-Kho-Go-3,FGD-M-Kho-CS-2481FGD-M-Kho-CS-3482KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-3, KI-F-Kho-NG-1483KI-M-Kho-CS-4,KI-M-Kho-Go-6, KI-F-Kho-CS-6484KI-F-Kho-CS-7, KI-F-Kho-CS-6, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-M-Kho-Go-6, KI-M-Kho-CS-4, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, KI-M-Kho-Go-2485KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialGovernor’sOffice486KI-M-Kho-CS-4

www.appro.org.af

77

Neighborshelpingneighbors isahistorical traditionhere. It is common forpeoplewhocanafford it todonate,onaregularbasis,freshbread,cookingoil,sugar,andclothingtothepoorerhouseholds.487

ThereisnohelpavailablefromnationalorinternationalNGOsinfoodsecurity.Someactivecivilsocietymembershavebeencampaigningtostartafoodprogramfortheverypoor.Themosquesdonotprovideassistancetothefoodinsecure,butareusedasplacesofcongregationbybeggars,particularlyonFridays.Thenumberofbeggarshasincreasedinthelast2-3yearsandincludesahighnumberofwomenandchildren.488

RighttoEducation

Theeducationalfacilitiesaregenerallyaccessibleforboysandgirlsinthecenter.Accessisless,particularlyforgirls,inthedistricts.Ofthe347primary,middleandsecondaryschoolsintheprovince,20percentaregirlschools.Similarly,ofthe3,693teachersintheprovincelessthanfivepercentarefemale.489Insomedistricts,therearenohighschoolsforgirls.Therecontinuetobereservationsabouteducationforgirlsamongmany,someofwhicharecloselyrelatedtoAfghanistandecades’oldconflict:

DuringthejihadIwasorderedbythePakistanisnottoallowgirlstoattendschoolbecause,theysaid,itwasagainstIslam.ButnowIunderstandthattheirowndaughtersarestudyingintheUSandGermany.Whywasitunlawfulforus?490

Thequalityofteachingislow,therearenotenoughtextbooksorequipment,andthereisashortageoffemaleteachers.491Thereisalsoadministrativecorruptionintheformofnepotism.

FamilyRights

Familydisputesarefirstreferredtolocaleldersforresolution.Ifunresolved,casesmaybereferredtotheformalsystem.492Theformalsystemisgenerallyavoidedbecauseitisseenascorrupt.493Onlyonefamilycase—involvingescapingfromhome—wasregisteredwiththeFRUinKhostduringthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.494FormsofviolenceagainstwomeninKhostincludebaad,badal,underagemarriage,beating,andnon-paymentofalimony.495Somewomenviewbaadas“womenhelpingtheirmenindisputeswithotherfamilies.”496Theseproblemsareattributedtopoverty,unemployment,lowawarenesslevels,andilliteracy.497 Reportedlytherearefewercasesofbaadduetoincreasedawareness.Physicalviolence/

487KI-M-Kho-CS-4488KI-M-Kho-CS-4,KI-M-Kho-CS-8489KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoEd490FGD-M-Kho-CS-3491FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, KI-F-Kho-CS-7, KI-M-Kho-CS-5, FGD-M-Kho-CS-3, KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-3, KI-M-Kho-NG-4, KI-F-Kho-NG-1, KI-M-Kho-Go-2492FGD-F-Kho-Go-3,KI-F-Kho-CS-7, FGD-M-Kho-CS-2, KI-M-Kho-CS-4, KI-F-Kho-CS-6, KI-M-Kho-CS-5, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4493FGD-F-Kho-Go-3,KI-F-Kho-CS-7, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4494KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialFRU495KI-M-Kho-Go-6,KI-M-Kho-CS-4, FGD-F-Kho-Go-5, FGD-M-Kho-CS-1, KI-M-Kho-NG-3, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4496KI-M-Kho-NG-2, KI-M-Kho-NG-3, KI-F-Kho-Go-1, KI-F-Kho-NG-1497FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, FGD-M-Kho-CS-2

www.appro.org.af

78

beatings,deprivinggirlsfromeducation,andforcedmarriagearestillverycommon.Divorcedemandsaregenerallydealtwiththroughmediationandintercession.498GenerallywomendonotgototheFRUduetothestigmaattachedtotakingfamilyproblemsoutsidethehome.Thereisnowoman’sshelterintheprovince.

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

Intervieweesdescribenumerousbarrierstoaccessingpaidemploymentincludinglackofemploymentopportunities,nepotism,andsecurityissues.Theseissuesaremoreacuteinthedistrictsawayfromthecenter.Womeninthecenterworkonlyintheeducationandhealthsectorsduetoanegativeviewofwomenworkingelsewhere.499Workopportunitiesforwomeninthedistrictsarescarce.

498KI-M-Kho-NG-3499KI-M-Kho-Go-6,FGD-F-Kho-Go-3, FGD-M-Kho-CS-2, FGD-F-Kho-Go-4, KI-F-Kho-CS-7, KI-M-Kho-CS-4, KI-M-Kho-CS-5, KI-F-Kho-CS-6

www.appro.org.af

79

Kunduz

KunduzprovinceislocatedalongtheNorthernborderwithTajikistan,BalkhandSamanganprovincestotheWest,BaghlanprovincetotheSouth,andTakharprovincetotheEast.TheKunduzRiveristhemainwatersourceintheprovince,originatingintheHinduKushrangeintheSouthandflowingtowardstheAmuDaryaintheNorthWest.TherearevastforestedareasintheSouthWestandWestoftheprovince,withirrigatedandcultivatedlandspreadingalongtheKunduzRiverwaterbasin,andSouthoftheAmuDaryaintheNorthWestoftheprovince.Officialestimatesforthepopulationoftheprovinceaccountforapopulationof1.1to1.5million,ofwhich75percentliveinruralareas.500Theethniccompositionoftheprovinceisheterogeneous,comprisingPashtuns,Tajiks,Uzbeks,Turkmens,Hazaras,andAimaqs.PashtungroupsarelocatedmainlyinKhanAbadandChaharDaradistricts,TajiksprimarilyinAliAbad,UzbekgroupsinImamSahibandArchiintheEastandNorth,TurkmensinQala-eZal,andAimaqsintheSouthinAliAbad.501ThetransportationnetworkstretchesfromtheprovincialcapitalofKunduzCitytowardBaghlanintheSouth,ImamSahibdistricttowardsTajikistanintheNorth,TakhartotheEastandBalkhtotheWest.ThereisoneairportinKunduzCity,usedprimarilybydevelopmentandhumanitarianstaff.ThosecoveredbythisreportareKunduzCity,ImamSahibdistrictintheNorth,andAliAbaddistrictintheSouth.KunduzCityThepopulationofKunduzCityisestimatedataround270,000.ThedeteriorationofthesecuritysituationinKunduzprovincewiththeincreasingholdoftheTalibanoverthecourseof2015ledtothedisplacementofthousandsoffamilies.Displacementoccurredbothwithintheprovince,suchasfromtheinsecuredistrictsofKhanAbadandQala-eZal–andafterthefallofKunduzCityonSeptember30–tomoresecureruralareasandadjacentprovincessuchasBalkh,Baghlan,andTakharandfurthertoKabul.UNHCRestimatesfor2015accountfor6,893families(over46,000individuals)displacedwithintheprovince.502ImamSahibImamSahibislocatedintheNorthEastoftheProvince,alongtheborderwithTajikistan.ItbordersQala-eZaldistricttotheWest,theprovincialcenterofKunduztotheSouth,ArchidistricttotheEast,andTajikistantotheNorth.Whilethesouthernpartofthedistrictismainlycoveredinrangelandandlargelyuninhabited,thenorthernpartalongtheAmuDaryaisirrigatedandintensivelycultivated.CSOestimatesaccountfor238,000inhabitantsinImamSahib,85percentofwhichliveinruralsettings.ThelargestethnicgroupistheUzbeks(40percent),followedbyPashtuns,Tajik,TurkmenandHazara.Thereare14governmentadministrationspresentatthedistrictlevel,withfemalestaffintheDirectoratesofPublicHealth,EducationandInterior.500CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;higherestimateswereprovidedbytheProvincialGovernor:StructuredinterviewwithProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Kunduz,December2015.501StructuredinterviewwithProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Kunduz,December2015.502UNHCRIDPMonthlyPackageDecember2015.OverallEstimatesbyregion.

www.appro.org.af

80

AliAbadAliAbaddistrictislocatedintheSouthofKunduzprovince,borderingtheprovincialcenterofKunduztotheNorth,ChaharDaradistricttotheWest,BaghlanandTakharprovincestotheSouthandKhanAbaddistricttotheEast.Mostofthedistrictiscoveredinrangeland,withlargeforestsintheEastofthedistrict,rain-fedandirrigatedlandaroundtheKholmRiver.Populationestimatesvarybetween48,000accordingtotheCSOand100,000accordingtotheDistrictGovernorandtheOfficeoftheChiefofPolice,allofwhichareruralsettlers.503Aimaqsarethelargestethnicgroupinthedistrict,followedbyPashtuns,Uzbeks,HazarasandTajiks.TheAgaKhanfoundation,WFPandSavetheChildrenareactiveinthedistrict,thoughnonehasofficesatthedistrictlevel.504Thereareeightgovernmentadministrationsinthedistrict.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

KunduzfelltotheTalibaninlate2015andsincethentherehavebeencontinualskirmishesbetweentheTalibanandANSFinanumberofareaswithintheprovince.Manypeoplearestilllivinginfearandthesecuritysituationremainsvolatile.Telephonecommunicationiscutoffafterdark.DespitethisheightenedinsecuritypeoplearegenerallysatisfiedwithANP,andfeelthatANP’sbehaviortowardcitizenshasimprovedcomparedtothepast,butwithsomeexceptionshavingtodowiththeuseofexcessiveforceandunprofessionalbehavior.505TheexceptionsareattributedtothelessliterateANPpersonnelwhooftenmisuseguns,useforce,andbeatsuspectswithoutjustcause.506Incontrast,therearenumerouscomplaintsagainstALPwithnumerousexamplesofrightsviolationandillegalbehavior.Formany,ALPisasignificantdriverofcommunityviolenceinKunduz.ALPareaccusedofservinglocalstrongmen,extortingprotectionmoney,andcollectingwheatorricefromcommunitymembers.ALPappearstobegenerallyunaccountabletotheProvincialorCentralgovernment.ThereareallegationsofALPenteringhousesandstealingfood,forcefullydisplacingpeople,beinginvolvedinterroristactivities,abusingchildren,andkillings.507ALP’sbehaviorisespeciallybrazeninthedistricts.InImamSahebdistrict,ALParesaidtohaverobbed31homes,508andprovokeviolence:

[ALP]areviolentindistricts.Theymisusepowerandgunstocausedisputesandhostilitiesamongpeople.Theyturneverysmallissueintophysicaldisputes.Theyabusepeopleandcausesecurityissuesforthem.Thisisthereasonthatdisputesandinsecurityareincreasing.[ALP]takemoneyandfoodfrompeopleandusurptheirlandandproperty.509

503CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;;StructuredInterviewwiththeDistrictGovernor’sOfficeandDistrictChiefofPolice’soffice,AliAbad,December2015.504StructuredinterviewwiththeDistrictGovernor’sOffice,AliAbad,December2015505FGD-M-Kun-CS-1, FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3,FGD-M-Kun-CS-2506KI-F-Kun-NG-1507FGD-F-Kun-Go-3,FGD-F-Kun-Go-4, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2508FGD-M-Kun-CS-2509FGD-M-Kun-CS-1confirmedbyKI-F-Kun-CS-7,FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5, KI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3

www.appro.org.af

81

Therewere44casesofcrimerecordedbytheMinistryofInteriorAffairs’CriminalDepartmentduringtheSeptember-December2015periodincluding17murders,13thefts,and11injuries.510

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

InKunduzCityanddistricts,disputesareinthefirstinstancereferredtolocaleldersorshuras.Ifaresolutionisnotreached,thecasesarethenreferredtotheformaljusticesystem.Casesinvolvingwaterandlandconflictsareusuallyresolvedbylocalelders.511People’spreferenceforthetraditionaljusticesystemisrelatedtoaccess,asitismorereadilyavailableinthedistricts,andtothefactthatthetraditionalsystemisseenaslesscorruptandrelativelymoretrustworthy.TheformaljusticesysteminKunduzissusceptibletointerferencebylocalandgovernmentpowerholders,securitythreats,andcorruption.Corruption,specificallydelaysinordertocollectbribes,intheformalsystemforcesmanytowardusingthetraditionaljusticesystem.512Thetraditionalsystemisalsosusceptibletointerferenceandthreatsfrompowerholdersincludingtheuseofviolence,kidnapping,andattemptedmurder.513Representativesinbothjusticesystemscanreceivethreatsorbeattacked,suchaswithminesplantedinfrontoftheirhomes.514Theformaljusticesystemfacesgreaterthreatsinthedistricts,however,becauseofthestrongerpresenceofpowerholdersandarmedgroups.515Peoplesuspectthatfairnessiscompromisedinbothjusticesystemsbecauseofthesethreatsandpressures.516Akeyissuewiththetraditionaljusticesystemisthattheelderschargedwithissuingjudgmentsarenotawareofexistinglaws,orwillfullyignorethemandcanthusmakearbitrarydecisionsbasedonethnicityorotherprejudicesandtraditionalnormsofdisputesettlementsuchasbaad.517InareasundertheTaliban,thosewhotaketheirdisputestoTalibancourtsarecontentwiththeoutcomerulingsbecausedecisionsaremoretimely,bindingandcompulsorythaneitherthetraditionalorformaljusticesystems.518ThetraditionalandformaljusticesystemsinKunduzaregenerallydescribedasbiasedagainstwomen.519Inlanddisputes,forexample,womenarenotgiventherightstheyareentitledtoandsettlementsareunfairanddiscriminatory.520Somethinkthat,atleastpotentially,womenhavebetteraccessandopportunityintheformaljusticesystem.521Othersbelievethatengagingwiththeformalsystemwould

510Keyinformantrepresentingprovincialpoliceheadquarters511KI-F-Kun-NG-1,confirmedbyFGD-M-Kun-CS-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2, KI-M-Kun-Go-6, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5,KI-F-Kun-PI-1, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-M-Kun-NG-4,KI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-M-Kun-CS-5, KI-F-Kun-CS-7, IK-M-Kun-Go-7512KI-F-Kun-NG-1, KI-M-Kun-CS-4513KI-M-Kun-Go-2,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-Go-7,KI-F-Kun-Go-1,KI-M-Kun-Go-6514KI-M-Kun-CS-4515KI-M-Kun-NG-2,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-NG-4, KI-F-Kun-PI-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5516KI-M-Kun-CS-4,KI-F-Kun-CS-7,FGD-F-Kun-Go-4517KI-M-Kun-NG-4,KI-F-Kun-CS-7518KI-M-Kun-NG-2,FGD-M-Kun-CS-2,KI-F-Kun-NG-1, KI-M-Kun-CS-4,KI-M-Kun-NG-4, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-M-Kun-Go-2, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5,FGD-M-Kun-CS-1519KI-M-Kun-Go-2,KI-F-Kun-CS-6, KI-M-Kun-CS-4,FGD-M-Kun-CS-3520KI-F-Kun-PI-1521FGD-M-Kun-CS-1,FGD-M-Kun-CS-2

www.appro.org.af

82

onlyheightenwomen’sproblems.522Ifawomanapproachesagovernmentalauthoritytoapplyforanationalidentificationcard,forexample,shewouldbecriticizedforthatbythepeople.523

Children’sRights

ViolenceagainstchildrenorchildrengoingmissingaresaidtoberareinKunduz.Onlytwocasesinvolvingchildrenbothofrape(sodomy)wererecordedbytheMOICriminalDepartmentduringtheSeptember-December2015period.524Someintervieweesclaimtheywouldrefersuchchildren’scasestotheformalsystem,specificallytheJuvenileCourtbecauseitisconsideredfair.525EarlymarriageiscommoninKunduzbutrarelybecomesalegalcase.ChildlaborhasbeenontheriseinKunduzduetoincreasingpoverty.526InAliAbadchildrenwashcars,peddlegoods,workforhotelsandpubicbaths,engageinshoepolishing,andworkasfarmlaborers.Intervieweesacknowledgethatthesituationputschildrenatriskofviolenceandengagementwithillegalactivities.527Pederastyandsexualabuseofsmallchildrenarenotuncommon.528Childrencanalsobetakenadvantageofintheworkplace,compelledinsomecasestoworkfromthemorningtonightwithoutbeingpaidwages.

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Manyfeelthattheirparticipationinfutureelectionsistheir“responsibilityasacitizen.”529Othersaredisillusionedandplannottovoteinthefutureunlesstheyhaveassurancesthatcertainconditionstoguardagainstelectionfraudaremet.TheseincludeeliminationofcorruptionwithintheIEC,adequateandsufficientsecurityforthevoters,adequateandsufficientaccesstopollingstations,andsufficientawarenessamongpeopleaboutwhentheelectionsweretobeheld.530Thereisalsobroaddisappointmentaboutunmetcampaignpromisesofelectedpoliticalrepresentatives:

Wewillnotparticipateinthenextelectionsbecausewedidnotgainwhatweexpectedduringthelastelections.Ourdemandswerenotmet.Weallknowthatelectionsareuseless.531

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

ThefallofKunduzinlate2015andthesubsequentskirmishesbetweentheTalibanandANSFhavereducedpeople’sconfidencetoexercisefreedomofopinionandexpression.Intimidationandviolenceagainstjournalistsandsocialactivistsishigh,with60reportedcasesofthreatsandonekillinginthe

522KI-F-Kun-PI-1523FGD-F-Kun-Go-3,confirmedby FGD-M-Kun-CS-2, FGD-F-Kun-Go-4524Keyinformantrepresentingprovincialpoliceheadquarters525KI-M-Kun-Go-7,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-M-Kun-Go-6, KI-M-Kun-CS-5, KI-F-Kun-CS-6526KI-F-Kun-CS-6, KI-M-Kun-CS-4527KI-M-Kun-Go-7,confirmedby KI-F-Kun-CS-7, KI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-M-Kun-Go-2528FGD-F-Kun-Go-4, KI-F-Kun-CS-7529KI-F-Kun-Go-1,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-Go-6,FGD-F-Kun-Go-4, KI-F-Kun-CS-7, KI-M-Kun-NG-4, KI-M-Kun-CS-5, KI-M-Kun-Go-7530KI-M-Kun-NG-2confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-Go-2، FGD-F-Kun-Go-5، FGD-M-Kun-CS-1، FGD-F-Kun-Go-3531FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, confirmed by FGD-F-Kun-Go-5, KI-F-Kun-PI-1, KI-M-Kun-CS-4

www.appro.org.af

83

four-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2016.532Thereisageneralviewthatthosewhospeakfreelywillfacethreatsandrestrictionstotheirmovement.Forexample,

Ireceivedacallafewmonthsagofromastranger.WhenIasked‘whoisthis?’Iwastold‘IamcallingfromCharDaraCommission,youwouldknowwhoamIafterIabductyou.533

Threatsincludecarsbeingshotat,minesbeingplantedinfrontofhomes,andabductionsoftargetedindividualsortheirfamilymembers.Thesethreatsaremorecommoninremotedistricts.534ThesourceofintimidationmaybetheTaliban,otherAOGs,orhigh-rankingofficials.535Thereislittleawarenessofcitizens’rightsundertheAccesstoInformationLaw.536Thetraditionofrequestinginformationfromgovernmentalentitiesistowritelettersanduseintermediaries.ThetraditioncontinuesdespitetheAccesstoInformationLawbecausemanyfeelthatalawbyitselfisinsufficient.537Someintervieweesbelieveitiseasiertoobtaininformationfromthemedia,whoareseenasamoreaccessibleandcooperativesource.538Thereare17mediaoutletsinKunduz,includingsixprivateradiostations,andfourprivatenewspapers.539

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

HealthcareprovisionissaidtohaveimprovedintheprovincesincetheNationalUnityGovernmentcametopower.Numeroushospitalsandclinics,bothpublicandprivate,areavailablethoughservicesaremoreaccessibleintheprovincialcenterthanthedistricts.Inadditiontohospitals,thereare43basicandcomprehensivehealthcentersinKunduz,staffedby470healthprofessionals.Thereare169maleand85femaledoctorswhosetotalnumberishigherthanthetotalfornursesandmidwives.540ThereareservicesforSTDsandvictimsofrapethoughthereseemstobelittleknowledgeamongcitizensabouttheavailabilityoftheseservices.541Nopre-marriagebloodtestingisavailablebuttherearetwoadditiontreatmentfacilities,oneformenandoneforwomen.Therearetwoaddictiontreatmentfacilitiesintheprovince,oneservingmenandtheotherwomen.542Healthcarequality,ratherthanavailability,isgenerallymoreofaconcern.543Accessissuesaremoreprevalentinremotedistrictsandvillagesduetolesssecurity,lackofqualifieddoctors,lackoffemaledoctors,lackofqualitymedicine,andfamilypracticesthatpreventwomenfrom

532KeyinformantknowledgeableaboutthemediasituationinKunduz533KI-F-Kun-PI-1534KI-F-Kun-NG-1confirmedbyKI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-F-Kun-CS-6, KI-M-Kun-Go-6, KI-F-Kun-CS-7,KI-F-Kun-PI-1535KI-M-Kun-Go-2,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-NG-2,KI-M-Kun-NG-4,KI-M-Kun-CS-4,KI-M-Kun-Go-7536KI-M-Kun-NG-2confirmedbyKI-F-Kun-CS-6, KI-M-Kun-Go-6, KI-M-Kun-CS-5, KI-F-Kun-PI-1537KI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-F-Kun-CS-6, KI-M-Kun-Go-6, KI-M-Kun-NG-4, KI-M-Kun-Go-7538KI-M-Kun-Go-2, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-M-Kun-CS-4539KeyinformantknowledgeableaboutthemediasituationinKunduz540KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH541KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH542KI-F-Kun-CS-7,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-NG-2,KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH543KI-F-Kun-CS-7confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-Go-2, KI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-M-Kun-NG-4, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5, FGD-M-Kun-CS-1, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-F-Kun-NG-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2, KI-M-Kun-Go-6, KI-M-Kun-CS-4, FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, KI-M-Kun-CS-5

www.appro.org.af

84

deliveringbabiesinhospitals.544Unprofessionalbehaviorbymedicalstaffincludesbehavingaggressivelywithpatients,includingmothers,andrequestingbribesforprovidingservices.545

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

ThemajorityofhouseholdsinKunduzCityhaveelectricityfromthegrid.WaterinKunduzCityandotherdistrictsisavailableonlyfromwellsorrunningwatersources.Anestimated10percentofthepopulationinKunduzCityhasmanagedsanitationserviceswhileoverhalfofthecityresidentsuseseptictanks.OutsideKunduzCitythereislittleornostandardizedsanitationpractices.546Therearefrequentdisputesaroundaccesstowater,land,andinheritancerights.Wateraccessdisputesescalateduringthesummerandfallwhenwaterdemandsforwheatcultivationareattheirhighest.Manyintervieweesbelievethatwaterdisputescanbeeasilysolved,especiallywithimprovedcanalizationandanequalizingdistributionsystem.547DisputesoverlandtitlesarecommonKunduzCityandthedistricts.Land-relateddisputesincludeexpropriationoflandbypowerholdersandinheritanceissues.Incomparisontowaterdisputes,landdisputescanbeespeciallylonglastingandintractable,andtendtobemostproblematicinthedistricts.Families’departuresduetodecadesofwarandeventualreturnprecipitatesdisputesoverlandusurpedbyneighborsorfalselysoldlandusingfakedeeds.548Thelong-lastingnatureoflanddisputesmeansthattheyareespeciallypronetoleadingtobloodfeudsandcontinuinghostilities.549Establishinglandownershipischallengedbytheissuanceofmultipleleasesbydifferentregimes,falsedocumentation,illegalsalesofland,absentowners,anddelaysinissuingleasesbygovernment.550Increasingpovertyandtheriseinlandpriceshaveintensifiedthestakesinlanddistribution,pushingbrotherstodenylandrightstotheirsistersandmotivatinghusbandstopushtheirwivestoclaimtheirinheritancerightstoland.551Vulnerablewomen,suchasthedisabledandfemaleheadsofhouseholds,appearespeciallyexposedtohavingtheirlandusurpedthroughfakedeedsandillegalclaims.552

FoodSecurity

ThetroublesinKunduzsincelate2015haveresultedinadrasticincreaseinthenumberofhouseholdswithoutsteadyincomes.Formanyfamiliesbeggingonthestreetistheonlymeansofsurvival.Thereisnogovernmentassistanceforfamilieswithoutsourcesofincome,buttherehasbeensomehelpforthosedisplacedbecauseofthetroubles.Theemergencyassistanceincludesclothing,tents,andsomefoodstuffs.TheNorwegianRefugeeCouncilhasbeenprovidingassistanceinKunduz,includingfoodhelp.ThecustomofhelpingthoseinneedremainsinKunduz,despitetherecenttroubles.Theonlyway

544KI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-M-Kun-NG-4, KI-M-Kun-Go-7, FGD-M-Kun-CS-1, KI-F-Kun-PI-1, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-F-Kun-NG-1, KI-M-Kun-Go-6545KI-F-Kun-PI-1,confirmedbyFGD-F-Kun-Go-4546KeyinformantrepresentingKunduzMunicipality547KI-M-Kun-CS-5, KI-M-Kun-Go-2, KI-M-Kun-NG-2, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-F-Kun-CS-6,KI-M-Kun-CS-4548KI-M-Kun-Go-2,KI-F-Kun-CS-6549KI-M-Kun-Go-7550FGD-M-Kun-CS-2551KI-M-Kun-CS-4,confirmedby FGD-M-Kun-CS-2, KI-M-Kun-Go-6552KI-F-Kun-PI-1,FGD-M-Kun-CS-2

www.appro.org.af

85

mosqueshelpistoannounce,duringtheFridayprayers,thatanindividualorafamilyneedshelp.Aftertheprayers,donationsaremadetohelptheindividualorthefamily.553

RighttoEducation

MostboysandgirlsinKunduzCityhaveaccesstoschools.554Theprovincehas103primary,middle,andsecondaryschools.555AccessisalsogoodindistrictcenterssuchasImamSaheb,whichhasschoolsaswellasatechnicalcenter.Inmoreremotevillagesofdistricts,however,childrenhavelessaccesstoschoolsduetoclosuresfollowingsecuritythreatsfromtheTaliban.Also,traditionalconservatismamongruralfamiliesdisallowsgirlsattendingschoolespeciallyathighergrades.556Thequalityofeducation,especiallyinthedistricts,islow.557Thereareallegationsofmismanagementandcorruptionamongschoolofficials,withsomesuggestingthattheeducationsectoristhemostcorruptamonggovernmentdepartments.558

FamilyRights

Violenceagainstwomenisthoughttobewidespread.Formsofviolenceagainstwomenincludeforcedandearlymarriages,baad,exchanginggirls,rape,andbeating.“Escapinghome”(elopementandrunningaway)anddivorcearealsorecurringproblems.ViolenceagainstwomenismoreprevalentinthedistrictsthanKunduzCityduetoheightenedeconomichardship,insecurity,andtraditionalconservatism.559Elevencasesofviolenceagainstwomenweredealtwithbythepoliceoverthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015,includingtwocasesofmurder,fourcasesofinjury,andthreecasesofescapingfromhome.560Inthedistricts,disputesinvolvingwomenaregenerallysettledbylocalelders.Thecaseisreferredtopoliceandeventuallypossiblythecourtsifelderscannotresolvethedispute.561InKunduzCitydisputesmaybereferredformediationtotheDepartmentofWomen’sAffairs,AIHRC,orFRUs.562Sheltersarepresentintheprovincebutarevieweddisparaginglyandwomenaresaidtoavoidrelyingonthem.563

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

CorruptionintheformsofbriberyandnepotismpervadesthejobmarketinKunduz.Connections,moresothanqualifications,determineaccesstoemployment.Thereisalsoadearthofemploymentopportunities,lowsalaries,andinsecurity,suchthat“eventhosewhohavestablejobsarenotfeeling

553KI-M-Kun-CS-4,KI-M-Kun-CS-8554FGD-F-Kun-Go-5,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-Go-2555KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoEd556KI-M-Kun-NG-4,confirmedby KI-M-Kun-Go-2, KI-M-Kun-NG-2, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5, KI-F-Kun-PI-1, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-F-Kun-NG-1, KI-M-Kun-CS-4, FGD-F-Kun-Go-4, KI-M-Kun-CS-5, KI-M-Kun-Go-7, KI-F-Kun-CS-7557KI-M-Kun-NG-2,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-Go-2,FGD-M-Kun-CS-1, FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, KI-M-Kun-Go-7558KI-M-Kun-NG-4559FGD-F-Kun-Go-5,confirmedbyFGD-M-Kun-CS-1, FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2560KeyinformantrepresentingtheMoI561FGD-M-Kun-CS-1,confirmedby KI-M-Kun-Go-7, KI-F-Kun-CS-7, FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5، KI-F-Kun-NG-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2562KI-F-Kun-Go-1,confirmedby FGD-M-Kun-CS-3, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5, KI-F-Kun-NG-1563FGD-M-Kun-CS-1, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5,confirmedbyFGD-F-Kun-Go-3

www.appro.org.af

86

safeatwork.”564Womenfaceextradifficultiesinthejobmarketandcontinuetofaceharassmentinthepublicsphere:

Insomecases,discriminationagainstwomenpreventsthemfromaccessingemployment.Socialstructuresarestillundertheinfluenceofpatriarchalculture.Forexample,womenwhosellhandicraftsareabusedbypeopleinthemarket.Theyarecalleddegradingnamessuchas‘sisters-in-lawsofthemarket.’565

Pressurefrompowerholdersandarmedindividualsisalsosaidtoundermineaccesstostablejobs,particularlyforwomen.566Briberyinemploymentisdirectedatthemostvulnerable,thosewithnoconnection.567Thereisawareness,particularlyinKunduzCity,thatcomplaintsaboutcorruptioncanbereportedtotheDistrictOfficeandAnti-Corruptionbranchofthecourt.568However,mostfeelthattheyhavenoalternativebuttoacceptthesituationbecausecomplaining“wouldbeuseless.”569Additionally,victimsofjob-relatedcorruptionfearretaliationiftheycomplaintoagovernmentofficebecausegovernmentpersonnelreceivingthecomplaintmaybeconnectedtothecorruptindividualsand/orinvolvedincorruptionthemselves.

564FGD-M-Kun-CS-3,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-CS-5, FGD-F-Kun-Go-5, FGD-M-Kun-CS-1, KI-F-Kun-Go-1, KI-M-Kun-Go-2, KI-M-Kun-NG-4, KI-F-Kun-PI-1, KI-F-Kun-NG-1, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2, KI-F-Kun-CS-6, KI-M-Kun-Go-6, KI-M-Kun-CS-4565FGD-F-Kun-Go-5,confirmedbyKI-F-Kun-CS-7, KI-M-Kun-NG-2, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2, FGD-F-Kun-Go-4566KI-F-Kun-CS-7, FGD-F-Kun-Go-3, FGD-F-Kun-Go-4567KI-M-Kun-NG-2,confirmedKI-M-Kun-NG-4, FGD-M-Kun-CS-1, FGD-M-Kun-CS-2568KI-M-Kun-CS-5,confirmedbyKI-M-Kun-Go-7569FGD-F-Kun-Go-5,confirmedbyFGD-F-Kun-Go-3, KI-M-Kun-CS-4, FGD-F-Kun-Go-4, FGD-M-Kun-CS-1

www.appro.org.af

87

Nangarhar

NangarharprovinceislocatedintheEastofAfghanistan,borderingPakistantotheSouthandEast,PaktiaandLogarprovincestotheSouthWest,KabulandLogartotheWest,LaghmantotheNorthWestandKunartotheNorthEast.TheKabulRivercrossestheprovincefromWesttoEast,KunarRiverflowsfromtheNorthEastandjoinsKabulRiverinBehsuddistrict.Mostoftheprovinceismountainousandcoveredinbaresoil,withirrigatedcultivatedlandaroundKabulandKunarriversandtheirtributaries,andlargestripsofforestedlandintheSouthalongtheborderwithPakistan,andtheNortherntipofNangarhar.Thereareanestimated1.5millioninhabitantsinNangarharprovincethoughsomeestimatesputthenumbercloserto3million.570Eightyfivepercentoftheresidentsliveinruralareas.Overthecourseof2015,theprovinceexperienceditshighestrateofforceddisplacementsince2012duetoheightenedAOGactivities.NangarharhoststhehighestnumberofIDPsinthecountry,withover57,000individuals.571ThepopulationismadeupofPashtunwithArab,Pashai,Tajik,Gojar,andHinduminorities.TheprovinceisalsohosttothelargestKuchipopulationinthecountry.ThemainaxisoftransportationistheKabul-Peshawarroad,whichrunsalongKabulRiverintoPakistan.AnotheraxisistheKabul-Kunarroad,crossingtheprovincefromEasttoWest.ThereisoneairportinBehsud,eastoftheprovincialcenterofJalalabad.Theprovincehas21administrativeunits.TheareasoffocusforthisreportareJalalabad,KamaandSurkhroddistricts.JalalabadJalalabadhasanestimatedpopulationof356,000.572JalalabadhasanairportandisconnectedbyroadtoKabul,othernearbycities,andPeshawarinPakistan.VeryhighvolumesoftradewithPakistanpassthroughtheborderpointofTorkhamtoJalalabad.KamaKamadistrictbordersJalalabadandBehsuddistricttotheWest,RodatdistricttotheSouthWest,GoshtadistricttotheEastandNorthEast,andKuzKunardistricttotheNorth.Officialpopulationstatisticsaccountfor78,000residents,whiledistrictofficialsmentionedtherewereover200,000residentsinKama.573TherehasbeenallegedimmigrationfrominsecuredistrictsinNangarhar,KunarandLaghmanprovinces,andBajauragencyacrosstheborderwithPakistaninrecentyears,though

570CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;HigherestimatescamefromtheProvincialgovernor’sofficeinJalalabad:StructuredInterviewwithProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Jalalabad,January2016.571UNHCRIDPMonthlyPackageDecember2015:OverallEstimatesbyregion.572ThisisaccordingtoUNHabitat(2015),availablefrom:http://unhabitat.org/books/soac2015/573CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111;HigherestimatescamefromtheDistrictGovernor,DistrictChiefofPoliceandCommunityleadersinterviewed:StructuredinterviewswithDistrictGovernor’sOffice,StructuredInterviewwithDistrictChiefofPolice,StructuredInterviewwithCommunityleaders,Kama,January2016.

www.appro.org.af

88

therearenoofficialestimatesofthenumberofdisplacedpersonsinthedistrict.574Ninegovernmentadministrationsarepresentatthedistrictlevel,withfemaleemployeeswithinthedirectoratesofPublicHealthandEducation.SurkhrodSurkhroddistrictliesWestoftheprovincialcenterofJalalabad,borderingBehsuddistricttotheWest,RodattotheSouthWest,ChaparharandKhogyanidistrictstotheSouth,SherzaddistricttotheEast,andLaghmanprovincetotheNorth.Theofficialestimateofthepopulationis123,000settledresidents.575Communityleadersinterviewedforthisreport,however,estimatedtherewereover30,000householdsand300,000residentsinthedistrict.576Therearetengovernmentadministrationsinthedistrict,withfemalestaffintheDirectoratesofPublicHealthandInterior.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

Theoverallsecuritysituationisgrave.TheTalibanandDaeshareactiveinsomeareasofNangarhar,particularlySultanpurandKhoshgonbad,andarefightingeachotherandgovernmentsecurityforces.ThereisrelativesecurityonlyinthecenterandthedistrictsofSorkhrud,BehsoodandKamawherethebulkofdevelopmentprojectsarebeingimplementedandthereisaccesstobasicservicesincludingschoolsforgirls.577IntermittentattacksoccurinanumberofdistrictsthroughouttheprovinceresultinginaninfluxofIDPs.578Women’smovementsandmobilityarestillpossibleindistrictcentersbutcompletelyrestrictedinsuchareasasKhoshkak.579TheTalibanallowgirlstoattendschoolontheconditionthegirlsdressmodestlyandrespectfully.580Thenumberofpolicepersonnelis243inNangarharbutthegendercompositionis“confidentialforsecurityreasons.”581ThereisgeneralsatisfactionwiththeperformanceofANPandthebehaviorofitspersonneltowardcommunitymembers.AnumberofpeopleweregratefultoANPfor“alwayshelpingwomenandchildrencrossthestreet,”“immediatelysolvinganydisputesthatoccuramongyoungpeople,”“reachingaccidentscenesquicklytosolvetheissue,”and“arrestingthosewhoannoywomen.”582Therearesomechargesofbribetakingandnegligence,however.583Forexample,

574TheLiaisonOffice(2014),“JusticeandSecurity.Practices,PerceptionsandProblemsinKabulandNanharhar”,Kabul.575CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111576StructuredInterviewwithCommunityleaders,Surkhrod,January2016577FGD-M-Nan-CS-1,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4578KI-M-Nan-Go-6579FGD-F-Nan-Go-4580FGD-F-Nan-Go-4581KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP582FGD-F-Nan-Go-5,FGD-F-Nan-Go-3,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4583FGD-F-Nan-Go-5,FGD-F-Nan-Go-3,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,FGD-M-Nan-CS-3,FGD-M-Nan-CS-1,FGD-M-Nan-CS-2

www.appro.org.af

89

Afewdaysago,adisputehappenedinourfamily.Whenwecalledthepolice,theytoldusthat‘wecannotattendtoyourissue.Wewouldputourselvesindangerifwecometoyou,canyoumakeussurewearesafeifwewouldcomethere?’584

Therewassuspicion,bythepersonrelatingthisexperience,thatthepolicewereseekingabribe.Inthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015,onecaseofpoliceabusewassenttotheAttorneyGeneralforprosecution.585Themostcommondisputesareoverlandandwaterrights.Insomecasesthesedisputesareprolongedandcanleadtoviolence,includingmurder.586Themainissuesaregovernmentlandandlandabandonedbyrefugeesbeingtakenoverbylocalpowerholdersanddisputesoverlandinheritance.587Disputesonland,waterandinheritancerightsaretypicallyreferredtolocalcouncils,withdecisionsmadereferredforfurtherprocessingtocourts,theAttorneyGeneral’sOfficeandtheHuqooqDirectorateofthedistrict.Whenlocalcouncilsarenotabletosettleadispute,itisreferredtotheHuqooqDirectorateorotherformaljusticeentitieswithinthedistrict.588Somecasesthatarefirstreferredtotheformalsystem,theytendtobereferredbacktocommunitycouncilsandlocaleldersforresolution.589Mostbelievethatthereisdiscriminationagainstwomeninresolvinglanddisputes,withsomecontendingthatthisbiasismoreprominentintraditionaljusticemechanisms,usedwidelyinthedistricts,thaninformaljusticeinstitutionsthataremoreavailableinthecenter.590Thereiscorruptioninanumberofgovernmentalagencies,particularlyinthecustomsandotherrevenuecollectionauthorities.Customsofficersareaccusedoftakingbribestoallowtrucksintothecountry,insteadcollectingimporttaxesandduties.Insomecases,thereiscorruptioninthedistributionofretirementcardsoridentificationcardsformartyrs’families.Businessmen,suchasthoseengagedinimportandexport,whodonotpaybribesfacemanyproblems.591Therewerealsosomeallegationsofcorruptionagainstcommunitycouncils.592

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

Citizenshaveaccesstoformalsecurityandjusticeinstitutions,suchasthepolice,HuqooqDirectorate,court,AttorneyGeneral’sofficeandlocalcouncils.However,employeeswhotreatpeoplefairlyaresaidtobeintheminority,andthepoorareparticularlyvulnerabletofacinglengthydelaysintheircases,withmoneyandtheabilitytopaybribesdrivingcaseresolution.593Deliveryoffairjusticethroughtheformalsystemischallengedbyanumberofsecuritythreats,includingmurder,toitsemployees:584FGD-F-Nan-Go-3585KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP586KI-M-Nan-CS-4,KI-F-Nan-CS-6,FGD-F-Nan-Go-5587KI-M-Nan-Go-2,KI-M-Nan-NG-4,KI-F-Nan-Go-1588KI-M-Nan-CS-5589FGD-F-Nan-Go-3,KI-M-Nan-CS-4590KI-F-Nan-PI-1,KI-F-Nan-NG-1591FGD-M-Nan-CS-3,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,KI-M-Nan-CS-4,KI-F-Nan-PI-1,KI-F-Nan-CS-6,KI-M-Nan-NG-2592FGD-F-Nan-Go-3,KI-M-Nan-CS-4593FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,KI-M-Nan-CS-4

www.appro.org.af

90

Formaljusticeofficialsfaceinsecurity.Lastyear,manyofourdefenselawyers,judgesandattorneysweremurdered,injuredorabducted.Inanincidentinvolvinganattackagainstavehicle[carryingahumanrightsactivist]twopeoplewerekilledandsixwereinjured.594

Thejusticeofficialswhodonottakebribescanfacepressuresfrompowerholders,high-rankinggovernmentofficials,andpoliticalgroups.595Othersdescribehowthewealthyandpowerfulexertinfluenceovertheformalsystem,throughacombinationofbriberyandthreats:

Decisionsofformaljusticeorgansarenotfair.Forexample,ifapersonpaysmoneytojusticeofficialsorgetsthemanewluxurycar,thentheofficialwoulddecideinhisfavor.Thisishowtherightsofthepoorareviolated.596Powerfulindividualsbribethecourts’stafforthreatentoabductorkilltheirchildren.Thispreventsthemfrommakingafairjudgment.597

Mostwomendonottaketheirdomesticcasestotheformaljusticesystembecauseofpossibleretaliationbytheirhusbands’families.Additionalimpedimentstowomen’saccesstoformaljusticeincludefearoflosingone’sreputationwithinthecommunity,highbribesbeingasked,communityethicalcodes,andalackoffemalejusticeofficials.598 TraditionaljusticemechanismsaremorewidelyusedbythoselivingindistrictsawayfromJalalabad.Thosewhousetraditionaljusticemechanismsclaimthattherulingsare“relativelybetter”thanthoseissuedthroughtheformalsystem.599However,decisionsmadeintheinformaljusticesystemcanbeunfair,reflectinglackofawarenessoflawsandIslamicrules,tribalism,anddiscriminationbasedonethnicityorpoliticalaffiliation.600

Children’sRights

Althoughmanyadmitthatthereisviolenceagainstchildren,noonereportsit.Theprovincialpoliceheadquartersholdsnorecordofcasesofviolenceagainstchildren.601TheorphanageinJalalabadservesorphanedandpoorchildrenbutisnotviewedasprovidingadequateservices.602ChildlaborissaidtobeincreasinginNangarharandincludesheavyphysicalworkbymostlyboysandbeggarybymostlygirls.Intervieweesattributedtheincreaseinchildlabortothedeteriorationofeconomicconditions,whichhasleftmanyhouseholdswithoutanincome.Workingchildrenareusuallyfrompoorerfamiliesinwhichthefatherisdead,disabled,departed,oraddicted.603

594KI-F-Nan-PI-1595KI-M-Nan-NG-4,KI-M-Nan-NG-2,KI-F-Nan-Go-1,KI-F-Nan-CS-6596FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,KI-M-Nan-CS-4597KI-F-Nan-CS-7598FGD-F-Nan-Go-5,FGD-F-Nan-Go-2,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4599KI-M-Nan-CS-4600FGD-F-Nan-Go-5,FGD-M-Nan-CS-2601KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP602KI-M-Nan-NG-2,KI-M-Nan-Go-2,KI-M-Nan-NG-4,KI-F-Nan-Go-1603KI-M-Nan-NG-4,KI-M-Nan-NG-2,FGD-F-Nan-Go-5

www.appro.org.af

91

Manyrealizethatchildlaborhasnegativementalandphysicalimpactsonchildren,deprivingthemofeducation,underminingtheirphysicalwellbeingandpositivesocialization.Itisalsorecognizedthatinsomecaseslaboringchildrenbecomevictimsofphysicalandsexualabuse.604

Instancesofsexualabuseofchildrenaresaidtobeincreasing.Theincidentsoccurinhotelsandcoffeeshops,butareneverexposedandnocaseshavebeenreferredtotheformalorinformaljusticesystems.605Bachabazi,aformofpederasty,iscommon.Anotherformofchildexploitationisemployingthemtosellormovenarcoticsandalcohol.606

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Thereiswidespreadbeliefin,andcommitmentto,exercisingone’srighttovote.Therearenumerouscomplaintsaboutthe2014elections,specificallyinadequatepollingcenters,lackofeffectiveadministration,interferencebythepoliticalparties,corruption,bribery,lackoftransparencyandfavoritism.607Insecuritywasalsoasignificantproblem,withsomekillingsandmutilationsofvoters.Somecriticizeelectedofficialsfornotkeepingtheircampaignpledges.608Thereishopethatwithimprovedsecurityandthedistributionanduseofelectronicnationalidentificationcardsmanyoftheseproblemswillbeaddressed.AccesstogovernmentjobsinNangarhariscompromisedbycorruption:

Governmentpositionsareoccupiedinreturnformoneyorthroughnepotism.Powerholdersgetthejobs,poorpeopleandthosewhohavenolinksarealljobless.609

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

Individualswhospeakout,suchasjournalists,civilsocietyactivists,andpoliticalthinkers,arelikelytobethreatenedwithdeath,beating,andabductionofthemselvesortheirchildrenbysomeofthosewhotakeoffence.610TheAfghanNationalJournalistUnionregistered12casesofthreatsandtwocasesofviolenceordisappearanceperpetratedagainstjournalistsandrightsdefendersinthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.611

PrivateradiostationsdominatethemedialandscapeinNangarhar,wherethereare13privateradiostationsamongatotalof32outlets.612ThereislittleawarenessoftheAccesstoInformationLaw,andthosewhoareawareofthelawknownothingaboutitsimplementation.Governmentemployeesarereluctant,orrefuse,togiveinformationtothepublicforthefearofbeingreprimandedbytheirsuperiors.Obtaininginformationistypicallycontingentonpersonalconnections.613

604FGD-F-Nan-Go-3,KI-M-Nan-Go-2,KI-F-Nan-PI-1,KI-F-Nan-CS-6,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,KI-F-Nan-CS-7,KI-M-Nan-CS-4,KI-M-Nan-NG-4,KI-M-Nan-NG-2,FGD-F-Nan-Go-5605KI-F-Nan-PI-1, KI-F-Nan-NG-1606KI-M-Nan-Go-2607KI-F-Nan-PI-1,FGD-M-Nan-CS-2,KI-F-Nan-Go-1,KI-M-Nan-Go-6,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,FGD-M-Nan-CS-3608FGD-M-Nan-CS-1,KI-M-Nan-Go-7609FGD-M-Nan-CS-1610KI-F-Nan-Go-1,KI-M-Nan-Go-6, KI-M-Nan-Go-2,KI-F-Nan-NG-1,KI-F-Nan-PI-1,KI-M-Nan-Go-7611KeyinformantrepresentingtheANJU612KeyinformantrepresentingtheANJU613KI-M-Nan-NG-4,KI-F-Nan-Go-1,KI-M-Nan-NG-2,KI-F-Nan-Go-1,KI-F-Nan-PI-1

www.appro.org.af

92

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Theprovincehassevenpublicand14privatehospitalsaswellas90basicandcomprehensivepublichealthcentersandthreeprivatehealthclinics.Publichealthfacilitiesarestaffedby960healthprofessionalsconsistingof323maledoctors,45femaledoctors,296femalenursesandmidwives,and296malenurses.614TheavailabilityofhealthservicesinJalalabadCityisgenerallygood,althoughthereareproblemswithqualityofmedicinesandthewaysomehealthprofessionalstaffinteractwithpatients.Healthcareprovisioninthedistrictsfacesseveralchallenges.ThequantityofprofessionalhealthstaffismuchlowerthanneededtoseetothenumberofpatientsinpartduetoagrowingpopulationincludingofIDPs.615Servicesforvictimsofrape,contraceptives,andSTDtreatmentaregenerallyavailableintheprovincialcenterbutlackinginthedistricts.616Theprovincehasfouraddictivedrugtreatmentcentersthatareestimatedtohaveserved350peopleovertheperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.617Victimsofsexualassaulttendtobetreatedwithoutsufficientcareandrespect,reflectinggenerallynegativepublicattitudesthattendtoblamethevictimfortheassault.618IDPsfacediscriminationinaccessinghealthservicesandareblamedforlesseningaccessforthehostcommunities.619Regardless,thereisusuallyserviceforthosewhocanaffordtopay.620Corruptionandpreferentialtreatmentbasedonwealthandconnectionsalsocompromisequalityhealthcareprovision.Somedoctorsaresaidtohave“personalpharmacies”wheretheysellmedicinestakenfromthepublicsystemorhaveprivatepracticeswheretheyseepatientswhoseappointmentsarearrangedbythedoctorswhileatpublicclinics.621Somedoctorsworkinclosepartnershipwithdesignatedpharmacies:

Patientshavetotakeprescriptionsonlytoadoctor’spersonalpharmacybecauseonlythepharmacistisabletoreadtheirhandwriting.622

Somehealthworkersinremoteareasalsosellmedicines,takenfromthehealthsystemorfreesamples,inthemarket.623

614KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH615KI-M-Nan-CS-5616KI-M-Nan-CS-5;KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH617KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH618FGD-F-Nan-Go-2619KI-F-Nan-CS-6,KI-F-Nan-Go-1620KI-M-Nan-NG-4621FGD-F-Nan-Go-5622FGD-M-Nan-CS-3,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4623FGD-F-Nan-Go-4

www.appro.org.af

93

Reproductiveandsexualhealthservicesformothers,womenandmenhaveimprovedinthelastfewyears.Jalalabadhasservicesforvictimsofsexualassault,includingforensicmedicine,althoughpre-marriagebloodtestsarenotavailable.624Thereisinadequateprovisionofmaternalhealthinmanydistrictsandmanypregnantwomenhavetotraveltocitiesfordelivery.Forexample,Sorkhrud’sclinichastenbeds,farfewerthanneededforallthepregnantwomeninthedistrict.625Lackofsecurityimpedeswomen’saccesstoclinicsnotintheirimmediatevicinity.Insecurityinthedistrictsalsorestrictstravelfordoctorsandmidwivestowomeninremoteareas.626

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

AccesstopowerandelectricityareforemostconcernsinNangarhar.Aswithhealthcareandeducation,alreadypoorservicesarebeingstretchedstressedduetotherecentinfluxofIDPsfromShinwar.627Someareasdonothaveaccesstoelectricityandmanyareasarereliantongenerators(purchasedbyMRRD),solarpanels,orhydropowerplants.628Kamadistrict,forexample,hassevenhydropowerplants,andPaiwastoonhasdistributedsolargeneratorsto48localcouncilsthataregeneratingpowerforlocalhouseholds.629AccesstothepublicelectricitygridisrelativelygoodinJalalabad,where80%ofresidentshaveaccess.630FortypercentofJalalabad’sresidentsareestimatedtohaveaccesstomunicipalwaterand20percenttomunicipalsewageservices.Anestimated70percentofthehouseholdsinJalalabadseptictanks.631Inthedistricts,mostaccesstosafewaterhasbeenmadeavailablethoughtheinstallationofhandpumpsbyMRRD/NSPaswellastheMinistryofBordersandTribalAffairs.Formanyhouseholds,therearelongdistancesbetweenhomesandhandpumps,however.632IDPshavenoaccesstoshelterandsomehavetomanagewithouteventents.ManyIDPscomplainthatthereislittlesupportforthemintheprovince.633

FoodSecurity

AsignificantpercentageofthepopulationinNangarharisfoodinsecure,withanestimated40percentlackingenoughfoodtomeethouseholdneedsatleastonceaweek.634Peoplewithoutregularincometaketobeggingorcollectingandsellingscrapmetal,paper,andothermaterialsalvagefromgarbagedumps.Otherstaketostealing,smugglingnarcotics,robbery,andsometimeskidnappingandkilling.Thereisnoassistancebythegovernmentforthefoodinsecure.Even

624KI-M-Nan-Go-7,KI-M-Nan-CS-5,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,FGD-F-Nan-Go-2,KI-F-Nan-CS-6,KI-M-Nan-Go-2,KI-F-Nan-Go-1625KI-M-Nan-CS-5626KI-M-Nan-Go-2627FGD-M-Nan-CS-3628FGD-F-Nan-Go-4629FGD-M-Nan-CS-2630KeyinformantrepresentingJalalabadMunicipality631KeyinformantrepresentingJalalabadMunicipality632FGD-F-Nan-Go-4633KI-F-Nan-CS-6634KeyinformantsrepresentingJalalabadMunicipalityandtheProvincialGovernor’sOffice

www.appro.org.af

94

ifthereweregovernmenthelp,“itwouldbeusurpedbythepowerfulandnoneofitwouldgotothosewhoneedit.”635TheonlyhelpavailableisfromUNHCRforthedisplacedfamilies.Familieswhocanaffordit,orhaveexcessfoodorclothing,donateittootherswhoneeditbutthisisnotcommonpracticeinNangarhar.Themosquesdonotprovideassistanceforthefoodinsecure.Familieswithurgentneeds,duetoalossofthemainincomeearnerorseriousillnessinthefamily,gototheFridayprayersandannouncetheirproblemstothecongregation.Membersofthecongregationthenmakeadonationtohelpout.636

RighttoEducation

Theeducationinfrastructureisrelativelywelldevelopedintheprovince,whichhas769primary,middleandsecondaryschoolsandanumberofhighereducationandvocationalinstitutions.Thereareover40,000teachersintheprovince.Femaleteachersmakeup10percentofthetotal.637AccesstoeducationisgenerallygoodinJalalabadandthedistrictsofSorkhrudandKama.However,insecurityinotherpartsoftheprovince,suchasAchinandSpinGhar,deprivesbothboysandgirlsofeducation.IDPsarrivingfromotherdistrictsandprovinceshavedifficultiesinaccessingeducation.InmanyhostcommunitiesIDPsandareviewedasaddingadditionalstressoneducationservices.638Manyoftheteacherslackexperienceandqualificationswithmostnothavingeducationbeyond12th

grade.Thereareallegationsoffavoritismandnepotisminemploymentofteachersandcomplaintsaboutinsufficiencyoftextbooks.Accordingtoonesource,teachingpositionscanbepurchased:

Lastyear,whenIwenttotheeducationdepartmenttoapplyforaposition,Iwastoldbyanofficial:‘IwillrecruityoutojoinCharbaghschoolbutyoushouldpayus20,000Afs.’639

Atonehighschoolthereareabout15teacherswhobelongtoonesinglefamilywhoarenotnecessarilyqualified.640Powerful,well-connectedfamilieshavemoreinfluencethanothersinthesector,withteachersdiscriminatinginfavorofwealthyfamilies.641Childrenfromwealthyandinfluentialfamiliesreceivehighmarkswhilechildrenfrompoorandweakfamiliescouldbegivenfailingmarkswithoutjustification.Asaresult,thestudentsarenotreceivingqualityeducation,knowledge,orusefulskills.642IDPsaresaidtobeespeciallydiscriminatedagainstineducationandareprovidedwithnosupportorservices.643InSorkhruddistrict,oneortworepresentativesofthetribalcouncilarepresentineachschooltoprovidemoralguidanceandtopreventharassmentofgirlsatschool.644Somefamiliescontinuetopreventtheirgirlsfromattendingschool,however.645

635KI-M-Nan-CS-8636KI-M-Nan-CS-4,KI-M-Nan-CS-8637KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoE638KI-M-Nan-CS-5639FGD-F-Nan-Go-4640FGD-F-Nan-Go-4641KI-M-Nan-NG-4,FGD-F-Nan-Go-4+KI-M-Nan-NG-4642FGD-M-Nan-CS-3,FGD-F-Nan-Go-643FGD-F-Nan-Go-4,KI-F-Nan-CS-6,KI-F-Nan-Go-1,KI-M-Nan-NG-4644KI-M-Nan-CS-5

www.appro.org.af

95

FamilyRights

Thearereportsofagreatdealofviolenceagainstwomeninthethreedistrictsincludingforcedmarriage,deprivingfemalesofeducation,badandbadal,harassmentofwomeninpublicspaces,beating,mistreatingwomenwhogivebirthtogirls,andnoaccesstowomen’sownmoneyincludingtheirownsalaries.Inaddition,womenaredeprivedoftheirinheritancelandsharebybrothersdenyingorminimizingtheinheritancerightsoftheirsistersandtherearereportsofhonorkillings.Themostcommonformsofviolenceagainstwomenarebeatingsandbaad.646Thepoliceregisteredonly12casesinthefour-monthperiodfromSeptembertoDecember2015.OnehomeescapecasewassenttotheAttorneyGeneral’sOffice,threehomeescapesandfivecasesofdomesticviolenceweresolvedbytheFRU(followingtheEVAWlaw),onecasewassenttofamilycourt,adisappearancewasreferredtotheForeignAffairsDepartment,andoneengagementterminationwassenttotheJusticeDepartment.647DivorceremainsacontentiousissueinNangarharandisnoteasilygranted,particularlywhentherequestismadebywomen.Separatedwomenoftenreturntotheirfathers’homeswiththeirchildren.648Sometimescourtsissuedivorcedecreesinitiatedbyhusbandsintheabsenceofwomen649CasesofviolenceagainstwomenandchildrencanbehandledbytheHumanRightsCommission,theDepartmentofWomenAffairs,theHuqooqDirectorateintheMinistryofJustice,familycourt,theDirectorateontheEliminationofViolenceinANP,defenselawyers,andcivilsocietyorganizations.650Inmostinstancesthecasesareassistedbywillinglocal“educatedindividuals.”651ThereisoneFRUinJalalabadandfiveFRUsinthedistricts.TheroleandfunctionsofFRUsarenotwidelyknowninthedistricts,however.652ThoseawareoftheroleandauthorityofFRUs,mostlyinJalalabad,describethemasdealingwithfamilydisputesoverinheritancerights,andcasessuchasthemarriageofadolescentgirlswitholdmen.653Peopleinthedistrictstakesuchissuestotribaleldersorlocalcouncils.Thereisawomen’sshelterinthecenterthataddressescasesofviolenceagainstwomenandprovidesahomeforwomenwhoareinneedofprotection.Women’ssheltersdealwithcasesofescapingfromhomeand(attempted)honorkillings.654Theshelterisrespectedbymany,particularlyduetoitsattemptstoensurethatitconformstoethicalandtraditionalprinciples.655

645KI-F-Nan-CS-7,KI-M-Nan-NG-2646FGD-F-Nan-Go-4647KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP648FGD-F-Nan-Go-4649FGD-M-Nan-CS-1650KI-F-Nan-PI-1651KI-F-Nan-CS-6652KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialCoP653KI-F-Nan-CS-6,KI-M-Nan-Go-6654KI-F-Nan-CS-6655FGD-F-Nan-Go-5+KI-M-Nan-NG-4+FGD-M-Nan-CS-2

www.appro.org.af

96

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

Mostpeopleareengagedinfarmingormakingbricksandhavenoaccesstootherpaidemployment.656Accesstoemploymenthasrecentlydecreasedforbothmenandwomeninallthreedistricts,duetoinsecurity,acontractingeconomy,andpooraccesstocapital.Despitegovernmentestimatesofsubstantialemploymentinthebusinessandindustrialsectorsintheprovince,thereisverylittleinvestmentinbusinessdevelopmentandthosewhohaveinvestedrecentlyhavelosttheircapitalbecauseoftheunfavorableconditionsforbusiness.657Vocationaltrainingopportunitiesarescarceandthosewhograduatefromvocationaltraininghavefewornoemploymentprospects.658WomentendtoberestrictedbytheirfamiliesfromworkingingovernmentagenciesorNGOs.Thereismuchlessobjectiontowomenworkingineducationandhealth.659

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

Femalejobseekerscanfaceillicitdemandsinreturnforemployment.Womengenerallyencounterharassmentinpublicontheirwaytoandfromwork.660

656KI-F-Nan-CS-7657KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoLSA658FGD-M-Nan-CS-3+KI-F-Nan-CS-7+FGD-M-Nan-CS-3+FGD-F-Nan-Go-4+KI-F-Nan-CS-7+FGD-F-Nan-Go-4+KI-F-Nan-PI-1659KI-F-Nan-PI-1660KI-F-Nan-NG-1+KI-F-Nan-CS-7+KI-M-Nan-NG-4+KI-F-Nan-CS-6+KI-M-Nan-Go-2KI-M-Nan-NG-4+FGD-F-Nan-Go-5KI-F-Nan-Go-1

www.appro.org.af

97

Nimruz

NimruzprovinceislocatedintheSouth-Westerncornerofthecountry,sharingabordertotheWestwithIranandtotheSouthwithPakistan.NimruzwascarvedoutofFarahprovincetotheNorthin1964andKandaharprovincetotheEast.Thegeographyismainlydesert-like.ThemainsourcesofwateraretheHelmandRiverrunningEasttoWestintoIran,andtheKhashRiverflowingfromtheNorthEasttowardsIran.Waterresourcessufferedfromseriousdroughtinthe2000s,andremainverylimitedtothisdate.661CSOstatisticsaccountforapopulationofapproximately165,000settledresidentsin2015,84percentofwhichlivesinruralareas.662Provincialadministrationestimates,however,reportapopulationofoverthreetimesasmuch.663NimruzisoneofthemaingatewaystoIranforAfghanmigrants,andahubforsmugglingofillegalgoods.Inthepastthreeyears,over21,000refugeesandmigrantsreturningfromIranandPakistanhavebeenidentifiedbyUNHCRintheprovince,andareconsideredasoneofthemostvulnerablemigrantpopulationsinAfghanistan.664MajorethnicgroupsincludetheBaluch,whorepresentoverhalfofthepopulation,Pashtun(overaquarter),andTajikandBarahawi.665Therearecloseto24,500short-rangeKuchinomadsintheprovince.666TherearesixadministrativeunitsinNimruzprovince.ThisreportcoverstheprovincialcenterofZaranj,andthedistrictsofChakansurandChaharBorjak.ZaranjTheprovincialcapitalislocatedontheIranianborder.ZaranjistheeconomichuboftheprovinceandakeybordercrossingandtraderoutetoIran.IthasbeenconnectedtotheAfghanringroadhighwaysystembyroute606since2009.Zaranjisthemostdenselypopulatedsettlementintheprovincehostingapproximatelyonethirdoftheprovincialpopulation.ChakhansurChakansurdistrictislocatedintheNorthWestofNirmuzprovince,borderingIrantotheWest,FarahprovincetotheNorth,KangandZaranjdistrictstotheSouthWestandKhashdistricttotheEastandNorthEast.CSOestimatesthepopulationat24,241inhabitantsin2015,consistentwiththeestimatebythedistrictadministration.667Therearesevengovernmentadministrationsinthedistrict,noneofwhichhasfemalestaff.ChaharBorjakChaharBorjakdistrictoccupiestheSouthernhalfofNimruzprovince,borderingZaranjandChakhansurdistrictstotheNorth.CSOestimatesaccountfor27,000residentsin2015,whichistwiceasmanyasthe

661Larson,A.(2010),“GovernanceStructuresinNimroz”,Kabul:AREU.662CentralStatisticsOffice(CSO)–EstimatedSettledPopulationbyCivilDivision,UrbanRuralandSex1394.Availableat:http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111663KeyinformantrepresentingtheDistrictGovernor’sOffice,NImruz,January2016.664UNHCR(2015),“The2015AfghanistanRefugeeandReturneeOverview”,Kabul.665StructuredinterviewwithProvincialGovernor’sOffice,Nimruz,January2016.666MRRD/NABDP(2012),NimrozProvincialProfile.667StructuredinterviewswithDistrictGovernor’sOfficeandDistrictChiefofPolice,Chakhansur,January2016.

www.appro.org.af

98

estimatebythedistrictadministration.668ThemainspokenlanguageisBaluch.Therearesevengovernmentadministrationspresentatthedistrictlevel.

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

ThesecuritysituationisrelativelygoodintheprovinceandmostaresatisfiedwiththeperformanceofandbehaviorofANPpersonnel.Duringthefirstfewyearsafter2001,thepolicewereviolentwithpeoplebuthaveimprovedovertime.669ANPhas2,002malesand54femalesintheprovince.670ThereissomediscontentmentwithnepotismingainingemploymentinANP,however.Manyoftheseniorpersonnelaresaidtohaveaffiliationswiththeprovincialgovernor.TherearealsoaccusationsofbribetakingbysomeANPpersonnelanddrugaddiction,resultinginextortionofcivilians.671TherearealsocomplaintsthattheANPpersonnelwhocomefromoutsideoftheprovinceareinsensitivetolocalcustomsandculture.672Violenceintheprovinceismostlyrelatedtodisputesoverlandandwaterrights,sometimesalongethnicandreligiouslines.Thesedisputesaretypicallyresolvedbylocalelders.673Therearecomplaintsofpooranddiscriminatorytreatmentbyrepresentativesofgovernmentagencies,particularlythecourtsandtheAttorneyGeneral’sOffice.674Therearealsoreportsofcorruptioninaccesstobasicservices:

Ipaidabribeof96,000AfghanistotheMinistryofEducation’sTreasuryDepartmentinreturnforgettingmyfather’spensionthatwas200,000Afghanis.IcouldnothavegottenthepensionifIhadnotpaidthebribe.675

TheMastofiatDepartmentisreportedtoaskforbribestoprocesssalaries.676InCharborjak,akeyinformantwasaskedtopayabribetoobtainapassport.677Intervieweesresistcomplainingoutoffearofretaliation,suchasnotreceivingtheservicetheyseek.

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice

IntervieweesinNimruzaredividedontheperformanceofformalandtraditionaljusticeinstitutions.ThoseintheZaranjdistrictarelesssatisfiedwiththeperformanceoftheformaljusticesystemthanthoseinthedistrictsofChakhansuzandCharBorjak.678InCharBorjakdistrict,therearenocomplaintsabouttheformaljusticesystem,inpartbecausethedistrictgovernorandpolicecommanderarefromthesameareaandaretrusted.Thetraditionaljusticesystemis“doesnotimplementjusticefairly.”679

668StructuredinterviewwithDistrictGovernor’sOffice,ChaharBorjak,January2016.669FGD-M-Nim-CS-1670KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialChiefofPolice671FGD-F-Nim-Go-3672KI-F-Nim-Go-1,FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,KI-M-Nim-NG-2,FGD-M-Nim-CS-3673KI-M-Nim-CS-4674FGD-F-Nim-Go-5675FGD-M-Nim-CS-3676FGD-M-Nim-CS-2677KI-F-Nim-CS-7678KI-M-Nim-Go-2679FGD-M-Nim-CS-3

www.appro.org.af

99

Formaljusticeissometimespreferredbecausegovernmentdecisionsare“moreenforceableandlessbiased.”680Despiteexpressionsofconfidenceintheformaljusticesystem,itisstillviewedascorruptinseveralways.Powerholderscanexertinfluenceondecisionsandinsomecasesperpetratorsofseriouscrimessuchashomicide,suicide-attacks,childabductions,andsmugglingarrestedbysecurityforcesarefreedduetopressureorpaymentofbribes.681Courtsarebiasedagainstwomenintheirrulingsandcancausedelaysinproceedings.682

Children’sRights

Children’srightshavedeterioratedinNimruzinthelast2-3years,inpartduetothedownturnintheeconomyasaconsequenceofthedeparturebyNGOsandsomebusinessesfromtheprovince.Incidentsofchildlaborandforcedandearlymarriageoccurmoreoftennow,especiallyamongfamilieswitheconomicproblems.683Childabductionshaveincreasedandsometimesresultinthedeathoftheabductedchildren.684Childrenareengagedincarwashing,sellingphonecards,andshoemaking.Intheruraldistrictschildrenaremostlyengagedinagriculturalwork.Someworkingchildrenarefromfemale-headedhouseholdsandfamilieswithfathersaddictedtonarcotics.685Childworkersareoftendeprivedofeducationandareatriskofsexualabuse.686InChakhansuzdistrictincidentsofbaadhavedecreasedincomparisontothepast,butunderagemarriageisstillcommon.Manyfamiliesdonotallowtheirgirlstoattendschool.687Amongthethreedistricts,onlyZaranjhasachildren’scorrectionalcenterwhichhousesunderageaswellasadultchildren,creatingapotentialforphysicalandsexualabuseoftheunderagechildren.688

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

Problemswiththe2014electionshaveledtodisenchantment:“Wegaveourvotesinthelastelections,butsomeoneelsechoseourpresident.”689InCharBorjakandChahansuztherewerereportsofvotingcardswerebeingboughtfor500Afghaniseachfrommenandinreturnforachadari(veil)fromwomen.690ReformoftheIECandthedistributionofelectronicidentificationcardsarethoughttobenecessaryforfuturefreeandfairelections.691

680KI-F-Nim-CS-6681KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-NG-2,FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,FGD-F-Nim-Go-5,KI-M-Nim-NG-3682KI-M-Nim-NG-3683KI-M-Nim-NG-2684KI-M-Nim-Go-2,M-Nim-NG-2,KI-M-Nim-NG-4,KI-M-Nim-NG-2,FGD-F-Nim-Go-5,KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-Go-7,KI-M-Nim-CS-5,KI-F-Nim-CS-7,andakeyinformantrepresentingpoliceheadquarters685KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-Go-2,FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,KI-M-Nim-NG-4686KI-M-Nim-NG-2687KI-M-Nim-Go-6688KI-M-Nim-NG-2689KI-F-Nim-Go-1690KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-Go-2,KI-M-Nim-NG-2,KI-M-Nim-CS-4,KI-F-Nim-CS-6,FGD-M-Nim-CS-3,KI-F-Nim-Go-4691KI-M-Nim-NG-2

www.appro.org.af

100

GovernmentjobsinZaranjaredistributedbasedonnepotism:“Powerfulindividualsareselectedbeforehandforanygovernmentalpositionswhichareannouncedhere.”692Incontrast,thegeneralsentimentinChakhansuzandCharborjandistrictsisthatgovernmentpositionsarefilledbasedonmerits.693

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

GoodcoordinationbetweenmediaandthepublichasresultedinrelativefreedomofexpressioninZaranjdistrict.694ThesituationisdifferentinChakhansuzandCharborjandistrictswheretherehavebeenthreatsdirectedatthosewhospeakfreely.695NocasesofviolenceagainstjournalistsorfundamentalrightsdefendershavebeenrecordedinNimruzfortheperiodSeptember-December2015.696Therearedifferentviewsaboutaccesstogovernment-heldinformation,withsome(governmentemployees)claimingunencumberedaccesswhileothersstatethattheAccesstoInformationLawhasnotyetbeenimplemented.697ThereissomeawarenessanduseoftheAccesstoInformationLawinthecenter.TherenineteenmediaoutletsinNimruz,includingthreeprivatelyownedradiostations,sixmagazines,andsixnewspapers.698

SocialRights

RighttoHealth

Nimruzhasonepublicandfourprivatehospitals,eightpubliccomprehensiveandbasichealthcenters,andfiveprivateclinics.Thereare118healthcareprofessionals.699TherearedifferingopinionsaboutthesufficiencyofhealthcareinNimruz.TheavailabilityandqualityofservicesinZaranjisdescribedas“good.”700Inthedistricts,however,therearenotenoughfacilitiesforthegrowingpopulationandthereisalackofexperienceddoctorsandadequatemedicines.701Misdiagnosisofapatient’sconditionissaidtobecommon.ChakhansuzdistricthasonlyonepoorlyequippedlaboratoryfordiagnosingSTDsandthereisnotreatmentforvictimsofsexualassault.702PatientsareknowntodieenroutefromCharborjaktothecenterseekingtreatmentsnotavailableinthedistrict.703

692KI-M-Nim-NG-2693KI-M-Nim-NG-2,KI-M-Nim-CS-4694KI-F-Nim-Go-1695FGD-M-Nim-CS-3,KI-M-Nim-CS-5696Keyinformantfamiliarwithmediaconditions697KI-M-Nim-Go-6,KI-F-Nim-Go-1698Keyinformantfamiliarwithmediaconditions699KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH700KI-F-Nim-Go-1701FGD-M-Nim-CS-1702KI-M-Nim-Go-6703FGD-M-Nim-CS-3

www.appro.org.af

101

Thereissomediscriminationinaccesstohealthservicesbasedongenderandsocialstatus.Powerfulandwealthyindividualsandthosewithgovernmentjobsenjoybetteraccesstohealthservices.704InZaranjdistrictsomedoctorsworkinginthegovernmenthospitalalsomaintainprivatepractices.Someofthesedoctorsareaccusedofreferringhospitalpatientstotheirownprivateclinicsfortreatment.Asoneelderputit:“Nowadayshealthserviceshaveturnedintoamoneymakingbusiness.”705Contraceptiveservicesareavailablethroughouttheprovince.STDservicesareavailableinthecenteronly,andnoservicesareavailableforrapevictims.Consultationsoninfectiousdiseasesaswellaspre-marriagebloodtestsareavailableinZaranjdistrict.Generally,however,peopledonotseekpre-marriagebloodtests.ThereisoneaddictiontreatmentfacilityinZaranjwherearound100peopleweretreatedintheperiodSeptember-December2015.706

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

Thereareshortagesofhousing,specificallyinZaranj,andconstraintsontheavailabilityofaffordablewaterandpowermoregenerallyin.707InZaranjpublicelectricityissecuredthroughanagreementfromIran,inexchangeforaccessbyIrantoAfghansourcedwater.708Onlytenpercentofthepopulationintheprovincehasaccesstoelectricity,however.709Anestimated50percentofthepopulationintheprovincehasaccesstosafedrinkingwater.710Safesanitationpracticesarefollowedbyanestimated40percentofthepopulation.711Thedistrictsinparticularlackaccesstopower,otherthansolarpowerforthosewhocanaffordit.712

FoodSecurity

Itiscustomaryforfamilieswhocanaffordittoprovidefoodandclothingtothelesswelltodofamiliesintheirneighborhood.Peopleinneedoffoodsometimesgotomosquestoseekassistancefromthoseattendingprayers.ThereisalargenumberofbeggarsateverymosqueonFriday.713Manyotherstaketobeggingonthestreetorgoingtoshopsandrestaurantstoaskforleftoverfoodstuff.Themostreliablesourceoffoodfortheneedyisotherfamiliesintheneighborhoodwhocanaffordtoprovidefoodassistancefromtimetotime.Thereisnogovernmentassistanceforthefoodinsecure.Whenthereisgovernmentassistance,itisusuallyormostlyusurpedbythelocalpowerholders.TherearesomefoodaidprojectsbytheWFP,RedCrescentSociety(Iran),andothers.714

RighttoEducation

Thereare185publicschoolsinNimroz,withqualitydisparitiesbetweenpublicandprivateschools.Betterpayinprivateschoolsmeansthatthebetterteachersoftenteachatprivateschools.Uniquely,

704FGD-F-Nim-Go-5705FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,FGD-F-Nim-Go-5706KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoPH707FGD-M-Nim-CS-1708FGD-M-Nim-CS-1709KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialGovernor’sOffice710KI-M-Nim-Go-2711KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialGovernor’sOffice712FGD-M-Nim-CS-3713KI-M-Nim-CS-4,KI-M-Nim-CS-8714KeyinformantrepresentingtheProvincialGovernor’sOffice

www.appro.org.af

102

theprovincehasahighernumberoffemaleteachers(865)thanmale(588).715InCharborjakandChakhansuztherearefewschoolsandanincreasinglylargenumberofstudents.Somechildrenmusttravelupto10kilometerstoattendschool,makingaccessdifficultparticularlyforgirlswhosemovementsaregenerallymorerestrictedthanboys.Thelackofsinglegenderschoolsinthedistrictsisanotherchallengebecausesomefamilieswillnotsendtheirdaughterstomixedrotationschools.716Despitesomechallenges,mostfeelthatthereisequalaccesstoeducationregardlessofgenderorethnicbackground.717Thereissomecorruptionintheeducationsectorsuchaspaymentsforpassingmarks.Highereducationscholarshipsearmarkedfortheprovincetendtobegiventoyouthfromwealthyandpowerfulfamilies.718

FamilyRights

Domesticviolencehasincreasedinthelastfewyears,attributedtotheincreaseinunemployment,addictiontonarcotics,andtheassociatedcriminality.719Domesticviolenceistypicallydealtwithbyotherfamilymembersorthroughtraditionaljusticemechanisms.720Violenceagainstwomenincludesforcedmarriage,beatings,anddenialoftherighttodivorce.Policeheadquartersregistered37casesofviolenceagainstwomeninNimruzinperiodSeptember-December2015.Thesecasesincludedbeatingsandmurder.721OrganizationsprovidinglegalassistancetowomenonsuchmattersincludetheWomen’sVoiceOrganization,women’scouncils,andtheDepartmentofWomen’sAffairs.722ThereisoneFRUinNimruzandonewomen’sshelter.723Therearealsodefenselawyerswhohelpwomensecuretheirrights.724Currently,thereare14womenlivinginZaranj’swomen’sshelter.Theshelterisdescribedas“good”andisopentoanywomanwithfamilyrelatedissues.Womenresidingintheshelterrejointheirfamiliesonlyifafamilymembersignsacommitmentletterconfirmingthatthesituationincludingviolencethatbroughtthewomantotheshelterwillnotberepeated.725

715KeyinformantrepresentingtheDoEd716KI-M-Nim-Go-2,FGD-F-Nim-Go-5,KI-M-Nim-NG-2,FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,KI-F-Nim-Go-1,FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,FGD-F-Nim-Go-5717KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-Go-2,FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-NG-4,KI-M-Nim-Go-6,KI-F-Nim-CS-6,FGD-M-Nim-CS-2718FGD-M-Nim-CS-1719FGD-M-Nim-CS-3720FGD-F-Nim-Go-5721Keyinformantrepresentingpoliceheadquarters722KI-F-Nim-Go-4723Keyinformantrepresentingpoliceheadquarters724KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-NG-2,FGD-F-Nim-Go-5725KI-M-Nim-NG-2,FGD-M-Nim-CS-1,KI-M-Nim-NG-4,KI-F-Nim-CS-7

www.appro.org.af

103

EconomicRights

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

AccesstopaidemploymentinNimruzhasdecreasedinthelast2-3years.726RecenteconomicboycottsimposedonIranbytheWesthavenegativelyaffectedtradebetweenNimruzandIran.727Theunemploymenthascausedsometoturntoillegalactivitiessuchasnarcoticsandsmuggling.728Thereisdiscriminationbasedonethnicityintheemploymentprocess.Therearealsochargesofcorruption.729Employmentpositionsaresometimessoldformoneyorinreturnforareward.730

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

MostofthepaidemploymentopportunitiesthatdoexistinNimruzaregovernmentpositions,intheeducation,security,andlocalgovernment.731ThereareculturalprohibitionsagainstwomenworkingoutsidethehomeinNimruz,particularlyinthedistricts.ItisacceptableforwomentoworkasteachersbutinwomenonlyworkenvironmentsandnotforNGOsandgovernmentagencies.732

726KI-F-Nim-Go-1,KI-M-Nim-Go-2,KI-M-Nim-NG-4,FGD-M-Nim-CS-3,KI-F-Nim-CS-7,KI-M-Nim-Go-6,KI-M-Nim-CS-4,FGD-M-Nim-CS-2727KI-F-Nim-Go-1728KI-F-Nim-Go-1729KI-M-Nim-NG-2730KI-M-Nim-Go-2731KeyinformantrepresentingDoLSA732FGD-F-Nim-Go-3,FGD-F-Nim-Go-5,KI-F-Nim-CS-6

www.appro.org.af

104

4.SurveyFindings

ThisSectionreportsonthefindingsfromtheanalysisofthequantitativedatacollectedthroughasurveyinstrument,appliedtoalltheindividualsengagedforthisresearchaskeyinformantsandfocusgroupparticipants.Assuch,thesegraphsarenotstatisticallyrepresentativeandserveonlyassuggestiveillustrations.Thefindingsillustratedinthissectionhaveallbeencheckedagainstthefindingsfromthequalitativeinterviewandfocusgroupdataforconsistency.

CivicRights

Despitesomereservationsbycitizensabouttheirinteractionswithgovernmentauthorities,thosesurveyedfeelgenerallygoodabouttheirtreatmentbygovernmentauthorities(Figure2).Figure2.TreatmentofCitizensByGovernmentAuthorities–ByProvince

Thesentimentsarelesspositiveforformaljusticeofficials,particularlyinKabul,Kandahar,Daikundi,andBamyan(Figure3).Figure3.TreatmentofCitizensByFormalJusticeAuthorities-ByProvince

www.appro.org.af

105

Themostsignificantformsofdiscriminationinaccesstobasicneedsarebasedonethnicity,gender,andkinship(Figure4).Figure4.TypesofDiscriminationAssociatedwithFormalJustice

Consistentwiththequalitativefindings,surveyresultsindicatethatmostbelievethattheyarewelltreatedbytheANP(Figure5),withahigherincidenceofmorenegativetreatmentbytheALPinprovinceswheretheyexist,mostnotablyKunduz(Figure6).Figure5.AssessmentofTreatmentofCitizensByANP–ByProvince

Figure6.AssessmentofTreatmentofCitizensByALP–ByProvince

www.appro.org.af

106

SocialRights

Themostcommonformsoffamilyviolencearephysicalandpsychologicalabuse,followedbyneglectordenialofaccesstoservices,particularlyforwomen(Figure7).Figure7.MostCommonFormsofFamilyViolence

Femalerespondentsreportdramaticallyhigherlevelsofviolenceagainstwomenthanmaleparticipants.ThisisparticularlythecaseinKabul,Kandahar,andKunduz(Figures8and9).Figure8.Women’sViewsViolenceAgainstWomen

Figure9.Men’sViewsViolenceAgainstWomen

Themostprevalentformsofviolenceagainstwomenandgirlsacrossalltenprovincesarephysicalandpsychologicalabuse,forcedandunderagemarriage,anditsrelatedpractice,badal(Figure10).

www.appro.org.af

107

Figure10.ViewsonMostPrevalentFormsofViolenceAgainstWomen

Estimatesofviolenceagainstchildrenarealsovariedsignificantlybygender,withwomencitingmuchhigherfrequenciesofviolenceagainstchildren(Figure11)thanmen(Figure12).ThelargestdiscrepanciesbetweenfemalesandmalesontheirestimatesofviolenceagainstchildrenareinKunduz,Kabul,Kandahar,andBalkh.Figure11.Women’sViewsonViolenceAgainstChildren

Figure12.Men’sViewsonViolenceAgainstChildren

Themostcommonformsofviolenceagainstwomenareforcedandunderagemarriage,followedbybadal.Theimportanceorseverityattachedtotheseformsofviolenceisdifferentbetweenwomenandmen,however(Figures13and14).

www.appro.org.af

108

Figure13.FiveMostSignificantMarriage-relatedRightsViolations–Women’sViews

Figure13.FiveMostSignificantMarriage-relatedRightsViolations–Men’sViews

Combinedresponsesbymalesandfemalesacrossallprovincesonviolenceagainstchildrenshowschildlaborasthemostprevalentformofviolence,followedcloselybyphysicalabuse(Figure15)Figure15.ViewsonThreeMostPrevalentFormsofViolenceAgainstChildren

Themostcommonformofchildlaborisworkingonfarmland,followedbymenialphysicallabor,tendinglivestock,andbegging(Figure16).

www.appro.org.af

109

Figure16.FormsofChildLabor

Themostcommonformsofdisputeoverlandareinheritance(particularlyforwomen)andwaterrights.Landgrabbingandrightsofpassagealsorankhighascausesofland-relateddisputes(Figure17).Figure17.ViewsonRootCausesofLandDisputes

Accesstoeducationisvariedacrossprovinces,describedbythemajorityoftherespondentsas“good”inBalkh,Kabul,Herat,andKunduz.Asignificantpercentageofthosesurveyed,around20percent,describeaccesstoeducationas“bad”inKabulandNimruz(Figure18).Figure18.ViewsonAccesstoEducation

www.appro.org.af

110

Girlsfaceparticularchallengesinaccesstoeducation,includinglongdistancestoschool,poverty(resultinginstayingathomeorgettingmarriedearly),andinsecurity(Figure19).Figure19.ChallengestoGirls’Education

Femalerespondentscitebetteraccesstohealthservicesthanmalerespondents(Figures20and21),especiallyinKabulandKhost.Figure20.AccesstoHealthServices–Women’sViews

Figure21.AccesstoHealthServices–Men’sViews

www.appro.org.af

111

Vaccinations,pre-natalcare,andcontraceptivesareavailablethroughhealthcarefacilitiesaccordingtothemajorityoftherespondents(Figure22).733Figure22.AvailabilityofHealthServices–ByType

733ItshouldbenotedthattheseareARMparticipants’viewsanddonot,therefore,indicateactualavailabilityrates.

www.appro.org.af

112

EconomicRights

Malesandfemalesfacesimilarchallengesintheemploymentmarket(Figures23and24)Figure23.MainChallengestoMen’sPaidEmployment

Figure24.MainChallengestoWomen’sPaidEmployment

Women,especiallyinKandaharandKunduz,aremorelikelythanmentowitnesssexualharassmentatwork(Figures25and26).Figure25.FemaleRespondentsWhoHaveWitnessedSexualHarassmentatWork

www.appro.org.af

113

Figure26.MaleRespondentsWhoHaveWitnessedSexualHarassmentatWork

www.appro.org.af

114

5.SynthesisofFindings

CivicRights

RightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPersonTheoverallsecuritysituationisconsideredasgood,exceptintheprovincesofKunduzandNangarhar.Withsomeimportantqualifications,thereisgeneralsatisfactionwiththeperformanceoftheANP,whichisseentocontributetosecurity.ProblemswiththeANPareoftencharacterizedintermsofinconsistenciesinbehavioramongpolice,withthepossibleimplicationthatthereisunevenimplementationofpolicingpolicy(suchastheCodeofEthics,andUseofForcepolicy)orinternaloversightofbehavior.Somepolicearesaidtoact“unprofessionally,”includingactinginbrutalandinsultingwaysanddrivingunnecessarilyfast.TheviewsontheALP,whenpresent,varybetweenprovinces.Forexample,KunduzandKandaharbothhaveALPbutviewsontheirroleandbehaviorareverydifferentinthetwoprovinces.InKunduz,theALPisviewedasasourceofillegalactivitiesandrightsviolations.Incontrast,inKandaharthereappearstobemuchhigherlevelsofrespectandtrustintheALP.Themaindriversofcommunityviolenceacrossallprovincesarerelatedtoconflictingclaimsoverlandandwaterrights.Landdisputesoccurduetolackoforcontestedlanddeeds.Waterrightsdisputesoccurwhentraditionalsystemsofwaterdistributionarebreached,forexample,andwhenpowerholdersextractwaterfromcommonwatersourcesforsale.Moregenerally,thetraditionalgroundandundergroundwaterdistributioncanalsystemshavefallenintoastatedisrepair,makingwatermovementanddistributiondifficult.Landandwaterdisputescanremainunresolvedformanyyearsandsometimesresultinviolenceincludingkilling.Killingshaveadirectimpactonwomensincebaad,apracticetoresolveconflictthroughanarrangedmarriage,allowsnorightsforthewomensubjectedtoit.Women’sinheritancerightstolandareroutinelyignoredandwomenseldomdemandorreceivethelandtowhichtheyareentitled.Boththeformalandtraditionaljusticesystemsdiscriminateagainstwomeninraresituationswhenwomentaketheirlandorotherclaimstoformalortraditionaljusticeofficials.Generally,thebadconditionofroads,combinedwithriskofabductionsandinsecurity,haveseverelyaffectedmovements,particularlybywomen,inthevastmajorityofdistrictsandpartsofurbancenters.

RighttoaFairTrialThereareahostofproblemsassociatedwithboththeformalandtraditionaljusticesystemsincludingcorruption.Generally,thetraditionalsystemisviewedaslesscorruptandquickerinissuingrulings.However,decisionsmadethroughthetraditionalsystemareoftenarbitraryandbasedoninsufficientlegalknowledge.Forexample,sometraditionaljusticeofficialsdonotconsiderdomesticbeatingsofwomenandchildrenasoffences.

www.appro.org.af

115

Bothsystemsarethoughttodiscriminateagainstthefewwomenwhotaketheircasesoutsidethehomeforresolution.Honestjusticeauthoritiesareoftensubjecttoexternalpersuasion,pressure,andthreatsbypowerholders,AOGs,andgovernmentofficials.Thereisaconsiderableamountofinteractionbetweentheformalandtraditionaljusticesystems,withpoliceorgovernmentcourtssometimesreferringcasestothetraditionalsystem,whilecasesthatcannotberesolvedthroughtraditionalmechanismsaresometimesreferredtotheformalsystem.Thereisanarrayofformaljusticeentitiesthatpeopleareawareof.Itisnotclear,however,whetherthereareclearlinesofjurisdictionandauthorityamongtheseformalentitiesevenamongtheformalsystemofficials.

Children’sRightsChildren’sdetentioncentersexistbutareofpoorquality.Thereisambiguityaboutwhatconstitutesviolenceagainstchildrenoraviolationofchildren’srights.InsomeprovincessuchasKhostthereiscompletedenialthatchildsexualabuseexists.InNangarhar,bachabaziandusingchildrentosmuggledrugscontinuetobeproblems.Povertyandunemploymentaresaidtohaveresultedinanincreaseinchildlaboracrossprovinces.Whilesomeformsofchildlaborfitonculturalgrounds,e.g.,childrenincarpetweavingandfarmwork,andchildrenengaginginsuchworkalsoenjoyingrightstoeducationandhealth,manyotherformsofchildlaborareobviousviolationsofthefundamentalrightsofchildren.Examplesincludebrickmaking,heavymenialwork,andworkinglonghourswithoutaccesstobasicservicesandneeds,whilealsobeingputatriskofphysicalandsexualabuse.Itisnotatallevidentthatthereisuniformawarenessofthelawpertainingtochildlabor.

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairsAmongallfundamentalrights,therighttovoteismostcommonlyunderstoodandactedupon.Electionsareviewedasoccasionswhencitizensexercisetheirrighttovoteandcontributetochoosinggoodleaders.Perhapsforthisreason,thereisstillwidespreadanduniformdisappointmentwiththe2014presidentialelections.Numerousproblemswiththerecentelectionarewellknownandspecificreformsareconsiderednecessary,especiallytheintroductionofelectronicidentificationcards,toensuresimilarproblemsdonotaffectfutureelections.Accessinggovernmentpositionsisuniformlyassociatedwithcorruption,intheformsofnepotismandbriberyto“purchase”positions.Purchasingpositionsleadstofurthercorruptionsincethebuyerofthepositionhastosecure,andexpects,extraincomethroughextortion.Theoversightofthehiringprocessinthecivilserviceisweak,atbest.Governmenthiringisrarelybasedonmeritandqualifications.Often,governmenthiringisbasedona“fair”distributionofopportunitiesacrossjurisdictionsforconnectedindividualswithinadistrict,forexample.

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpressionFreedomofexpressionisgenerallyassociatedwith“outspokenindividuals”who“exposethetruth.”Theseindividualsfacerisk,andcanbesubjecttothreatsandworsebythosewhomaybeoffendedbysometruthsbeingexposed.Thethreatscancomefrompowerholders,AOGs,andsometimesgovernmentofficials.Outspokenwomenfacetheadditionalriskofslandertotheirreputation,considered“worsethandeath”insomecommunities.

www.appro.org.af

116

ThereislittleawarenessoruseoftheAccesstoInformationLaw.Accessinginformationfromgovernmententitiescanbeeasyifonehasconnections.Forthosewithoutconnections,requestsforinformationareusuallyturneddownonthegroundsthatthegovernmentofficialbeingaskedfortheinformationdoesnotwanttobeheldresponsibleiftheinformationiswrongorusedtocriticizegovernment.

SocialRights

RighttoHealthHealthservicesaremoreadequateinquantitythaninquality.Thereisalsoamarkeddifferencebetweenhealthcareprovisioninurban/provincialcentersascomparedtoremotedistricts.Thereareshortagesofqualifiedstaff,goodmedicines,andadequatefacilities.Indistricts,inparticular,therearecomplaintsthatthesizeandstaffingofhealthcarefacilitieshavenotkeptupwithpopulationgrowth.InNangarhartherearecomplaintsthataccesstohealthcarehasdiminisheddotoincreaseddemandfromthelargenumberofIDPs,whoalsofacediscriminationinaccessinghealthservices.ServicesforHepatitisCandSTDsandforvictimsofsexualassault,iftheyexist,areonlyavailableinprovincialcenters.Peoplewithacutehealthconditionsandpregnantwomenfromruralareasoftendieenroutetomorecentralhealthcarefacilities.MediaawarenesscampaignsinthecentersofsomeprovincesappeartobehavingapositiveinfluenceonpublicknowledgeofSTDsanduseofcontraceptivesandbirthspacingpractices.Widespreadcorruptioncompromisesaccesstogoodqualityhealthcare.Inthecentersofseveralprovinces,doctorsingovernmentserviceroutinelymaintainprivateclinics.Theyareaccusedofstealingmedicinestosellintheirprivatepharmacies.Thedoctorswithprivatepracticearealsoaccusedofsteeringpatientsfromgovernmentfacilitiesforfee-basedtreatment.Moregenerally,thereareaccusationsofdrugsbeingstolenfromgovernmenthospitalsandsoldinlocalmarkets.Somehavepreferentialaccesstohealthservicesduetoconnectionsorbeingwealthy,thusaffordingtopaybribesforservice.Inmanylocationswomenareprohibitedfromseeingmaledoctors,necessitatingcoordinationwithfemalenurses.Healthcareworkers’harshandsometimeshumiliatingtreatmentofpatientsisalsoacommoncomplaintanddisincentiveforseekinghealthservices.

RighttoAdequateHousingThevastmajorityofpeopleliveinmudbrickstructures,particularlyawayfromurbancenters.Therearesomecomplaintsaboutrisingrent,particularlyinurbansettings.Therearealsoanumberofcomplaintsaboutpoorornonexistentinfrastructureparticularlyforelectricityandwater.Therearenumerouslandrelatedissuesthroughoutthecountry.Governmentseldomgetsinvolvedintheresolutionofland-relatedconflicts,evenwhentheconflictsturnviolent.Thetraditionaljusticesystemiswidelyusedtosettleland-relateddisputes.Women’srightsareparticularlyviolatedinland-relateddisputes.Womenrarelyreceivetheirlandinheritance,whichiseitherdeniedtothemorifthereisentitlement,manywomenoptforgiftingtheinheritancetoaclosemalerelative,mostlikelyasameanstoavoidstrifewithinthefamily.Violentland-disputesresultingindeatharesometimeresolvedthroughthepracticeofbaadwhichcallsforofferingbridestothesidethathasincurredadeathduetotheconflict.

www.appro.org.af

117

FoodSecurityThereareovereightmillionpeoplewhoarefoodinsecureandmoderatelyfoodinsecurethroughoutAfghanistan.FoodaidbyinternationalagenciesactiveinAfghanistanisinsufficienttofeedallthoseinneed.Governmentprovidesfoodandotherassistanceonlyinemergenciessuchasearthquakesandfloods.Thereremainsatraditionthroughoutthecountryforthewealthierfamiliestoassistpoorerneighborsandrelativesthroughfoodandclothingdonations.MosquestypicallydonotfeedthepoorthoughtheyassistbymakingannouncementsduringFridayprayerstoaskfordonationsfromthecongregationforindividualsorfamilieswithatragedyathandsuchafuneral.

RighttoEducationTherearevaryingdegreesofaccesstoschools.Themaincomplaintbymanyisaboutthepoororinadequatequalityofeducationduetoovercrowding,largeclasssizes,andmake-shiftfacilities(tents,outdoors).ArmedconflicthasresultedintheclosingofsomeschoolsinKunduz,forexample.InNangarhar,theinflowofIDPshasaddedadditionalpressureonthealreadyover-stretchedschoolsystem.Thekeyfactorsimpedingaccesstoeducationarepoverty,whichforcesmanyfamiliestosendboysouttoworkandtoseekearlymarriagesforgirls,andtraditionalconservatismwhichforbidsgirlsfromattendingschool,particularlyatgradeshigherthan6thgrade.Inthedistricts,manyfamiliescannotaffordthecostsofsendingtheirchildrentourbancentersforhighereducation.Locally,insecurityandthedistancefromhometoschoolalsoplayrolesinfamilies’decisionstosendchildrentoschool.Corruptiontakesdifferentformsintheeducationsector.Teachingjobscanbeawardedbasedonkinship,havingaconnection,orpayingabribe,resultinginthehiringofunqualifiedteachers.Somefamiliesareknowntobribeteacherssothattheirchildrenaregivenhighergrades.Teacherswhoresistcanfacepressureorthreatsfrompowerholdersorpublicofficials.Inruralareassometeacherscompeltheirstudentstohelpoutduringtheharvestingseason,forexample,orcarryingwatertotheteacher’shouse.

FamilyRightsFamilydisputesandconflictoccuroveranumberofissuesincludinginheritance,non-paymentofdowryandalimony,addictiontonarcotics,anddivorce.Therearenumerousviolationsofwomen’srightswithinthefamilyincludingbeatingsandotherformsofphysicalviolence,restrictedmobility,forcedwork,forcedpolygamy,denialofeducation,denialofaccesstohealthcare,forcedandearlymarriage,baad,badal,abandonment,denialofdivorce,andpublicharassment.Theperpetratorsofviolenceagainstwomenarenotjusthusbands,butalsomothers-in-lawandbrothers.DivorceisthoughttobebecomingmorecommoninseveralprovincessuchasDaikundi,Balkh,Nimruz,andBamyan.Whendisputesbetweenhusbandsandwivesaretakenoutsidethefamily,thesecasesaretypicallypresentedtocommunityelderswhomediatearesolution.Women’ssheltersareavailableinprovincialcenters,thoughnotinKhost.WiththeexceptionofBamyan,women’ssheltersappeartohaveaverynegativereputationamongthecommunitymembers,withsomeassociatingshelterswithbrothels.FRUsaregenerallyavailablealthoughtheirpurposeandauthorityarenotwellunderstood,ortheyareconsideredusefulonlyfordocumentingfamilyproblemsandnotforresolvingthem.

www.appro.org.af

118

EconomicRights

Acontractingeconomy,dearthofemploymentopportunities,lessthanadequateworkingconditions,andcorruptionplaguethefulfillmentofeconomicrights.Acrossallprovinces,internationalhumanitarianandaidassistancehasdecreased.Thereissignificantfrustrationamongtheyoungandeducatedaboutthelackofemploymentopportunities.Thosewhoareemployedtendnottofeelsecureintheirpositions.Accesstomanyjobsispossibleonlythroughconnectionsorbribes.WiththeexceptionofmajorpopulationcenterssuchasKabul,formanyfamilieswomen’sworkisonlyacceptableinthehealthandeducationsectors.Womenfaceharassmentinpublicspacesandontheirwaytoandfromwork.Womenalsofaceharassmentintheworkplace.

www.appro.org.af

119

6.Conclusions

Anumberofkeyconclusionscanbedrawnfromthefindingsreportedintheprecedingsectionsasfollows.ConceptionsofRights:Thenotionof“humanrights”hascometohaveapejorativeconnotationformanyinAfghanistan.Theprimaryareainwhichcitizensspeakofrightsinapositivelightiselectionsandtherighttovote.Thereisalsosignificantrecognitionofandappreciationforchildren’srightstoeducationincludingforgirls.Itisnotclear,however,wherehumanorfundamentalrightsarethoughttoemanatefromandthroughwhatsystemofauthorityorgovernance.Formany,thewiderangeofrightsprescribedintheAfghanConstitutionremainsunknown.Poverty,ConflictandRights:Povertyandpreoccupationwithdailyexistenceformanyprecludesspaceswithinwhichbasicrightscouldbecomeissuesofdiscussionorimplication.Fourdecadesofdisorderandvariousformsofauthoritarianism,combinedwithpoverty,haveforcedmanypeopleintobelievingthatauthorityisnottobetakentoaccountandallinteractionswithauthorityshouldbeminimized.Thereisalsoacceptancethatservicesarehardertoaccessifoneispoor,anddiscriminationandmistreatmentincludingcorruptionmustnotbecontested.IDPsareparticularlydisadvantagedintheseregards.InequalityUndertheLaw:ThereareagreatmanypowerfulactorsinAfghanistanwhobehave“abovethelaw,”withimpunity,impedingtherightsofothers.Thisisespeciallythecasewiththepoliceandthetraditionalandformaljusticesystems.Alltheseentitiescanbeeasilymanipulatedinfavorofthepowerful.Whileitisnotsurprisingthatinformalpowerholders(e.g.,commanders,warlords,AOGs)actabovethelaw,itisalsoapparentthatthereisacomparabletendencyamongsomegovernmentofficialsandappointeestoactabovethelaw.Thissituationunderminesattemptstoinstituteoversightby,forexample,IDLGandquasi-governmententitiessuchasAIHRC.ProminenceofTraditionalJusticeSystem:Thereiswidespreadandstrongrelianceonthetraditionaljusticesystem,specificallycommunityelders,councilsofelders,andsometimes“educatedindividuals”fordisputeresolutionthroughoutthecountry.Traditionaldisputeresolutionmechanismsarealsoutilizedbytheformaljusticesectorsuchasthepoliceandthecourts.Whilethetraditionalsystemhasadvantagessuchasbeinglesspronetocorruptionorpressure,andoffersfasterdecisions,therearecomplaintsthatitsrulingsareinconsistentandnotbasedonanawarenessofthelawandoffundamentalrights.Thetraditionaljusticesystemalsoappearstodiscriminateagainstwomen,althoughitisunclearifthisbiasismoreorlessseverethanintheformalsystem.EndemicAdministrativeCorruption:Administrativecorruptionplaguesallsectorsresponsibleforprovidingrights-basedservicesincludingformaljustice,education,health,andfreeandfairelections.Corruptionandnepotismunderminefairnessandaffects,moreseverely,thepoorandthosewithoutconnections.Therearenumerouscomplaintsaboutnepotism,bribery,theft,exertionofextra-judicialinfluence,andnotprovidingservicetocitizens.Systemicandstableadministrativecorruptionunderminesadministrativemeasures,suchasthosethroughHOOandIEC,tofightcorruptionandfraud.LackofFunctionalComplaintMechanisms:Thereislittleornofaithinexistinggovernmentmechanismsforadequatehandlingofcitizensconcernsandcomplaints,includingoncorruptionandservicedelivery.

www.appro.org.af

120

Mostbelievethatacomplaintwouldeitherresultinnothing,orwouldhaveadverseconsequencessuchasretaliationagainstthepersonwhohaslodgedthecomplaint.Gender-basedVulnerabilities:Womenandgirlsaresubjectedtonumerousdeprivationsandinjusticesincludingearlyandforcedmarriageandengagement,baad,badal,anddenialofaccesstoeducationandinheritance.Itisunclearhowwomenasmothersupholdtherightsoftheirchildren.Itisalsounclearhowupbringing(bymothersandfathers)contributestotheperpetuationofgenderdiscriminationandviolenceinthelaterlivesofthechildren.Thereisstrongevidencethatviolenceagainstwomenissometimesperpetratedbyotherwomensuchasmothers-in-law.GenderedPerspectivesonRights:Thereisstrongindicationthatmalesandfemaleshaveappreciablydifferentviewsabouttheprevalenceandtypesofviolenceagainstwomenandchildren–menappeartomakelightofviolenceandgender-baseddiscrimination,forexample.MonitoringBasicRightsinAfghanistan:Basedontheavailableinformation,accesstoresearchsitesandsubjects,andtheimmediacyofsomebasicrightsascomparedtoothers,arevisedlistofindicatorsandproxiesweredefinedforthefuturemonitoringreportsandrelatedresearchthatwillfollowfromthisbaselineassessment.FortherevisedlistofindicatorsseeAppendix4.

www.appro.org.af

121

Appendix1:HumanRightsMonitoringinAfghanistan

Entity

Topic

U.K.FCOU.S.Dept.ofState

UNHCHRUNAMA

AmnestyInternational

HumanRightsWatch

AIHRC

Women ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Children ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Personsw/Disabilities ✓ ✓Minorities ✓ ✓ SexualOrientation ✓ Workers&Employment ✓ ✓HumanTrafficking ✓ GovCorruption ✓ FreedomofMovement ✓ ✓FreedomofReligion ✓ ✓ FreedomofSpeech ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ FreedomofAssembly&Association ✓ ✓ Privacy&Property ✓ ✓Prisoners&Prisons ✓ Torture&Disappearance ✓ ✓ ✓ JusticeandPolicing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓TransitionalJustice ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ProtectionofCivilians ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓InternallyDisplacedPersons&Refugees ✓ ✓DeathPenalty ✓ ✓ AccesstoHealth ✓ ✓AccesstoEducation ✓ ✓Elections ✓ ✓ ✓ HumanSecurity ✓ ✓ ✓TrafficAccidents ✓HonorKillings ✓FreedominMarriage ✓AdequateIncome&LivingStandards ✓

FREQUENCYOFMONITORING Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual Inter-mittent

www.appro.org.af

122

Appendix2:ARMRightsPillars

AccordingtotheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR),theinternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR)andtheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR),enjoymentofcivilandpoliticalrightsisinseparablefromanenvironmentwhereeconomic,socialandculturalrightsarealsoenjoyed.Theworkingdefinitionsforthethreepillarsusedinthisbaselineassessmentwereasfollows.CivicRights:ThepillaronCivicRightsfocusesoncivilandpoliticalrightsastheyrelatetotheopportunityconferredtopeopletocontributetothedeterminationoflaws,participateinpolitics,andenjoyrightstolife,freedomfromtorture,fairtrials,andlibertyandsecurity.SocialRights:ThepillaronSocialRightsfocusesonrightsastheyrelatetophysicalwellbeingandculturalrightsincludingtherightstotheenjoymentofthehighestattainablestandardofphysicalandmentalhealth,adequatehousing,education,marriage,andmaintenanceandpromotionofsub-nationalaffiliationsandcollectiveidentities.EconomicRights:ThepillaronEconomicRightsisdefinedbasedondefinitionsofUDHR,ICESCR,andILO’sFundamentalPrinciplesandfocusesonrightstodecentandproductivework,safeandsecureworkingconditions,protectionfromchildlabor,protectionagainstdiscrimination,andsocialsecurity.RightsPillarsandIndicators

PILLARS MAININDICATORS

CivicRights

• Righttoliberty,securityanddignityofperson• Righttoefficientandfairjustice• Children’srights• Righttoparticipateinpublicaffairs• Righttofreedomofopinionandexpression

SocialRights

• Righttohealth• Righttoadequatehousingandfacilities• FoodSecurity• RighttoEducation• Familyrights

EconomicRights • Righttofairnessinemployment• Righttodecentworkingconditions

SeeAppendix4forarevisionoftheindicatorsandtheirproxiesundereachpillarbasedontheexperienceofapplyingthemtocollectbaselinedataforthisreport.

www.appro.org.af

123

Appendix3:ListandDefinitionofCodes

Non-Government=NGKI-F-Kab-NG-1(KI=Keyinformant,F=Female,Kab=Kabul,NG=Non-government,1=Sequence) KI-M-Kab-NG-2(KI=Keyinformant,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,NG=Non-government,2=Sequence) KI-M-Kab-NG-3(KI=Keyinformant,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,NG=Non-government,3=Sequence) KI-M-Kab-NG-4(KI=Keyinformant,M=MaleKab=Kabul,NG=Non-government,4=Sequence)Government=GoKI-F-Kab-Go-1(KI=Keyinformant,F=FemaleKab=Kabul,Go=Government,1=Sequence)KI-M-Kab-Go-2 (KI=Keyinformant,M=MaleKab=Kabul,Go=Government,2=Sequence)FGD-F-Kab-Go-3(FGD=FocusGroupDiscussion,F=Female,Kab=Kabul,Go=Government,3=Sequence)FGD-F-Kab-Go-4(FGD=FocusGroupDiscussion,F=Female,Kab=Kabul,Go=Government,4=Sequence)FGD-F-Kab-Go-5(FGD=FocusGroupDiscussion,F=Female,Kab=Kabul,Go=Government,5=Sequence)KI-M-Kab-Go-6(KI=Keyinformant,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,Go=Government,6=Sequence)KI-M-Kab-Go-7(KI=Keyinformant,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,Go=Government,7=Sequence)CivilSociety=CSFGD-M-Kab-CS-1(FGD=FocusGroupDiscussion,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,CS=Civilsociety,1=Sequence)FGD-M-Kab-CS-2(FGD=FocusGroupDiscussion,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,CS=Civilsociety,2=Sequence)FGD-M-Kab-CS-3(FGD=FocusGroupDiscussion,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,CS=Civilsociety,3=Sequence) KI-M-Kab-CS-4(KI=Keyinformant,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,CS=Civilsociety,4=Sequence) KI-M-Kab-CS-5(KI=Keyinformant,M=Male,Kab=Kabul,CS=Civilsociety,5=Sequence) KI-F-Kab-CS-6(KI=Keyinformant,F=Female,Kab=Kabul,CS=Civilsociety,6=Sequence)KI-F-Kab-CS-7(KI=Keyinformant,F=Female,Kab=Kabul,CS=Civilsociety,7=Sequence)PublicInstitutions=PI KI-F-Kab-PI-1 (KI=Keyinformant,F=Female,Kab=Kabul,PI=PublicInstitution,1=Sequence)

www.appro.org.af

124

Appendix4:RevisedMonitoringIndicatorsandProxies

Pillar Indicator ProxiesRightstoLife,Liberty,SecurityandDignityofPerson

• TrustinANP• PolicePerformanceandBehavior• Security• Corruption(CrosscuttingTheme)

RighttoEfficientandFairJustice • AccesstoFormalandTraditionalJusticeSystems• PerformanceofJusticeOfficials• Women’sAccessto,andTreatmentby,JusticeSystems

(GenderasCrosscuttingTheme)• Corruption(CrosscuttingTheme)

Children’sRights • ViolenceAgainstChildren(DegreeandTypesofViolence)

• AccesstoJustice• AccesstoRehabilitationcenters,JuvenileHomesand

Orphanages• ChildLabor• SexualAbuse

RighttoParticipateinPublicAffairs

• ParticipationinElections• AccesstoPublicPositions(Genderascrosscutting:

WomeninSeniorPositions)• ParticipationinPoliticalParties(GenderasCrosscutting:

FemalePartyMembers)• Corruption(CrosscuttingTheme)• Discrimination(GenderasCrosscutting)

CivicRights

RighttoFreedomofOpinionandExpression

• FreedomofSpeech(threats)• FreedomofGathering• RighttoInformationLaw

RighttoWorkandFairnessinEmployment

• AccesstoPaidEmployment• Corruption(JobsforSale,Nepotism)• Discrimination

EconomicRights

RighttoDecentWorkingConditions

• SafetyandSecurityatWorkplace• JobSecurity• Harassment(basedonGenderorEthnicity)

www.appro.org.af

125

Pillar Indicator Proxies

RighttoHealth • AccesstoHealthServices• AccesstoReproductiveHealth• QualityofHealthServices• Corruption• Discrimination

RighttoAdequateHousingandFacilities

• AccesstoHousing,WaterandElectricity• IDPs(Housing)• DisputesRelatedtoLandandWater• Corruption• Discrimination

FoodSecurity • SufficientFood(NumberofMealsperDay)• AdequateFood(TypeofFoodEaten)• FoodAssistance(Sources,e.g.,Government,INGOs,

other)RighttoEducation • AccesstoEducation

• QualityofEducation• GenderDiscrimination• Corruption(inHiringTeachersandinGivingGrades)

SocialRights

FamilyRights • InheritanceRightsandRelatedConflicts• DomesticViolence• ViolenceAgainstwomen• DivorceCasesandWomen’sRightstoDivorce• AccesstoFRUsandShelters