In the name of Almighty Allah
Statement of the Civil Society and Human Rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN)
regarding the presence of the international experts in the electoral structures of Afghanistan
Oct 30, 2012
Kabul-Afghanistan
2014 is a crucial year for Afghanistan. The international military forces will leave Afghanistan during this year and as well as the most important and crucial presidential election will be launched in the country.
The occurrence of these two significant programs in the same year has confused and engaged the public’s mind and the international community’s thoughts, toward the future of Afghanistan.
The Civil Society of Afghanistan, while pursuing both of the incidents very carefully, is deeply concerned about the inadequacies in normal initiation of these two important programs.
The concerns of the Civil Society of Afghanistan have increased when the president of the country, his Excellency Hamid Karzai, has declared his disagreement regarding the presence of the international experts in the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC).
The Civil Society and Human Rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN) besides considering the presence of the international experts a necessity in the structures of the Election Commission (EC) and the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), in the current situation, presents the bellow points:
- Our country, is suffering from the illegal interference of lots of individuals and structures in the election affairs, and has been faced with many challenges regarding the initiation of a transparent and standard election process. In our opinion, the presence of the international experts in the related structures of the elections, guarantees independent, professional and transparent elections. There are many examples in this regard, even the presence of the international professionals has been guaranteed in the electoral structures of the most developed countries.
- Our country’s election systems are too young and new therefore; need more and professional capacity-building and assistance. The presence of the international experts & the international institutions in the election process will cause more capacity and useful international practices for those structures that are responsible for the election affairs. This is called an accepted and fair manner for the post conflict states, and will never be considered against national sovereignty, negative intervention in the election systems and against the values of the democracy.
- The active participation of the international experts and institutions in the related election structures of Afghanistan can strengthen the international legitimacy of the elections of the country and give more acceptability to the process of the democracy of the country to the international public perceptions. It’s to be noted with regret, that the previous election’s failures, have falsified the public perceptions of the international community. The government of Afghanistan should not tarnish the public perception of the international community and the legitimacy of the elections internationally, by limiting the role of the international experts in the election affairs.
- The Civil Society and Human Rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN) importune the president, to revise his decision regarding the role of the international experts in the election affairs and take serious action in coordination with the Office of United Nation’s representatives and the international allies of Afghanistan and ensure selection of the experienced electoral professionals that will play completely impartial and professional role in the entire election process.
The civil society and Human Rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN) which is consisted of 105 member institutions will closely monitor the election process of the country, and announce its cooperation on this prestigious national process.
Expecting to ensure democracy and the rule of law in Afghanistan!