Author: Sayed Hussain Hussainy

This author has written 1047 articles

(Angaara 3)

The Angaara Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine for persons dealing professionally with human rights. The magazine offers in depth articles and interviews on current human rights issues in Afghanistan. It is at present published in 5000 copies and is distributed directly through CSHRN. Thanks to the distribution via the regional offices of CSRHN in Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad, it reaches also rather remote areas. The Angaara Magazine is used by universities as part of their teaching and studying material, by groups of intellectuals as base for discussions and by the parliament and the Afghan administration as a base of knowledge. ……………………………………………… Read The PDF

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All Afghan Women Union Support Access to Information Program of CSHRN

By Frozan Arezo CSHRN home page asked Ms. Suraia Perlika the chair person of All Afghan Women Union (AAWU) and women's rights activist to share her ideas about access to information program in Afghanistan. Question : First of all on behalf of CSHRN I would like to thanks you for the interview. My first question is why information plays an important role for our world today? Answer: Today our world is a world of information. Information paves the way of development in the social economic and political fields. Information facilitates the citizens to make right decisions. I believe information plays an important role in democratization in our societies in all over the world. Information supports us to make rights choices in the right time. Question: What do you think about access to information in Afghanistan , do you think that access to information is an important agenda for current developments in Afghanistan? Answer: I believe that access to information is not only a need for Afghan society, but it is an important element for democratization for both Afghanistan and international community who are involved in Afghanistan. During the presidential and parliamentarian elections in Afghanistan we experienced a lot of shortages and difficulties. One of the main reasons of difficulties was the luck of information; the Afghan citizen did not have access to information about the mechanisms, agendas and programs of the candidates and the election commissions. The Afghan people went to the electoral pools without having proper information. This is one of the important examples of consequence of lack of access to information in Afghanistan. We have also a lot of examples on access to information importance in the Afghan society. I think access to information makes citizens aware of their role and obligation in the society. Question:…

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Civil Society Institutions’ Press Conference Statement In protest of illegal trial of Shakila’s assassination accused and other victims of violence

In the name of Almighty Allah Civil Society Institutions' Press Conference Statement In protest of illegal trial of Shakila's assassination accused and other victims of violence Aug 27th , 2013 Dear compatriots and respected governmental officials: As you all know, human rights situation, minority rights and particularly women's rights and violence against them that can be found everywhere, is getting worse day by day to wipe out the democratic and human rights achievements of the last decade. The graph of violence against women has risen astonishingly during the past two years and women have been threatened due to fear and insecurity. For instance, in the past two years, we were witnessed of some arbitrary acts by the local strongmen in connection with violence against women as stoning, ear and nose cutting, rape and countless murders that took place against women, but unfortunately not pursued by government or because of their dominance the process of prosecution, investigation and trial face with serious troubles and difficulties that as a result, the accused persons acquitted. In this regard, we can point out the two trials «Shakila» and «Sahar Gul» in both of these two cases, despite the evidence and documents that proofs the committal of crime by the accused person, but they have been acquitted by the courts in complete disbelief. Regarding the case of Shakila, a 16 year-old girl, who was killed at Sayed Hadi Behishti's house (member of Bamiyan provincial council) on Jan 27 th , 2012 in Bamiyan province. In the first session of the primary court, the judge Mr. Ataullah Mateen has sent the case back to the court claiming that the investigations are incomplete. After the case transferred to Kabul, the new investigations have been carried out by Mr. Abdulghafar, attorney for precinct 15 th of…

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10 Women’s Rights Defender Organizations have strengthened and updated their Strategies

Based on the capacity development programs, the Civil Society & Human Rights Network of Afghanistan has initiated reinforcement educational programs of the 10 women's rights organizations in connection with the strategic programs of the member organizations of the network. Based on this program, the 10 active member organizations of the Network which have a valuable and important role in the society have been recognized and their strategic programs have been improved and strengthened. The program was organized in three phases: the first phase was conducting the educational program. During this phase, the officials of the mentioned institutions were trained and capacitated by the secretariat of CSHRN with the support of the strategic experts of the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR). During the strategic educational program, strategic background, strategic management, and strategic activities have been focused. The role of the civil society in the structure of the political system and its importance in the political strategic system has been widely discussed in the program. In this program, the international experts made efforts in presenting some good instances of other countries as great lessons and experiences to be acquired by the 10 mentioned organizations. Beside, the program has provided the opportunity for these organizations to learn the way of using the strategies and arranging and implementing their programs accordingly. The second part of the program was engaged in updating and renewing the strategic programs of the mentioned organizations. By using the find outs of the first stage the 10 women's rights defenders organizations have coordinated their strategic programs in a joint program and presented them to the secretariat of CSHRN. The find outs and the information of the first phase helped them define their strategic goal and as active civil organizations specify their mission. The third phase of the…

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In order to learn about human rights, look at the performance in Afghanistan

The Angaara Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine for persons dealing professionally with human rights. The magazine offers in depth articles and interviews on current human rights issues in Afghanistan. It is at present published in 5000 copies and is distributed directly through CSHRN. Thanks to the distribution via the regional offices of CSRHN in Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad, it reaches also rather remote areas. The Angaara Magazine is used by universities as part of their teaching and studying material, by groups of intellectuals as base for discussions and by the parliament and the Afghan administration as a base of knowledge.   ……………………………………………… Read The PDF

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Strategic Capacity building is one of the major components of CSHRN’s programs

Like other social and governmental bodies, the civil society of Afghanistan also needs strategic capacity building. Most of the civil institutions are operating through their daily plans. This caused the programs to remain without any target and strategic background. On the other hand, this shortage has challenged the convergence among the civil society institutions. That's why training and capacity building has been emphasized and expressed as its important working outcome in relation to its strategic find outs by the civil society and human rights network of Afghanistan. Based on this program, the civil society and human rights network of Afghanistan offered educational manual of strategic planning. A working group composed of strategic experts who worked about one year on this educational manual and finally completed it with the support of the international experts especially the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR). Civil society institutions can organize and implement their strategic programs according to this educational manual. The manual is mainly focused on strategic background, vision and the key components of the strategic management. This education manual will play an important role in developing and improving the executive programs of civil society institutions. Based on this educational manual, CSHRN has conducted educational programs of «training the trainers» in all over the country. During this educational program, trainers of CSHRN's member organizations in 24 provinces have been instructed and acquired these guidelines in a systematic way. Under this program, the human rights Summer School in relation to strategic planning for civil society institutions was held in Kabul. Human rights trainers from other provinces were invited in this educational school in order to share their find outs and experiences with each others, and discuss the ways and approaches of improving and using the educational manual. The participants of the school have…

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Male-ruled nominated cabinet of Afghanistan , undermines the role of women in the political structure

Interview with Ms. Roshan Sirran, Member of CSHRN Board and Head of Training of Human Rights Association for Afghan Women By: Frozan Arezo Question: What do you think about the role of women in the new cabinet of Afghanistan? Answer: I believe the role of women in the new cabinet is very passive. When I looked through the list of new nominate ministers I got upset and I asked my self a question; are the Afghan women really so weak not to manage or not to lead the ministries in the Afghan government. There are a lot of people who asked themselves the same question. I think the answer is clear. There are a lot of capable women in the Afghan society. During the past 8 years we have been witnessed the growth of many capable Afghan women. These women work in the political, social, economic and cultural fields. However they don't get the possibility to reach political and managerial position in the government. Question: According to you the Afghan women have the capacity of management; however they do not get the chance to be the ministers. What are the reasons for this problem? Answer: If we look to the modern history of Afghanistan after independence we can see a lot of active women who could lead and manage deferent programs in the state structure. I believe, the Afghan women can do it today. We have a lot of distinguished women who can mange and lead the ministries such as Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health Care, Ministry of High Education, Ministry of Parliament affaire and many other areas, but the lack of commitment creates barriers for such a goal. Question: If you believe that the society is ready to accept women leadership and management then what are…

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CSHRN’s statement on recent terrorist attacks in Jalalabad province

In the name of Almighty Allah CSHRN's statement on recent terrorist attacks in Jalalabad province Aug 04, 2013 Kabul-Afghanistan We were informed grievingly that the city of Jalalabad has been shocked by terrorist attacks on Saturday and Monday, Aug 12 th and 13 th , 2013, and put the resident of Jalalabad province in mourning and grieve during the holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of the Eid. The first attack that took place against the Indian Consulate killed 9 civilians and injured 21 others. Most of the victims of this unforgivable crime were children and teenagers. The attack took place while the children and teenagers were studying in a nearby mosque, and as result of this brutal attack, lost their sweet lives. In the second attack, that took place in the East of Jalalabad a day later, 16 civilians including women and children were wounded. This is not the first time that such terrorist and suicide attacks occur in Afghanistan; the mentioned explosions are just a few instances of crimes against humanity that have been happening in our country and hurting the conscience of humanity. The Civil Society & Human Rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN) strongly condemns these unforgivable crimes and expresses its deepest abhorrence and resentments against the perpetrators of these brutal attacks. CSHRN shares grieve and pain of the victims of this tragic incident, and pray for happy soul of the victims and expresses condolence to the remaining ones. We pray for recovery and healthiness of all of our injured compatriots. We believe that, by terrorist attacks and crimes against humanity, by which they take the lives of citizens, terrorists cannot break the wills of Afghans for supporting political stability and democracy, protecting and appreciating civil life and efforts for economical development. We…

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It is better to light a candle instead of cursing

The Angaara Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine for persons dealing professionally with human rights. The magazine offers in depth articles and interviews on current human rights issues in Afghanistan. It is at present published in 5000 copies and is distributed directly through CSHRN. Thanks to the distribution via the regional offices of CSRHN in Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad, it reaches also rather remote areas. The Angaara Magazine is used by universities as part of their teaching and studying material, by groups of intellectuals as base for discussions and by the parliament and the Afghan administration as a base of knowledge. ……………………………………………… Read The PDF

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Access to Information key to Accountability in Afghanistan

From the website of The Danish Institute for Human Rights DIHR's Afghan partner the Civil Society and Human Rights Network is pushing for new legislation to ensure access to information for the Afghan people. Malek Sitez, DIHR's Afghan expert, argues that such access is a precondition for creating an accountable state in Afghanistan. By Brendan Sweeney Senior Advisor and Programme Manager at DIHR, Malek Sitez, who is responsible for DIHR projects in Afghanistan, has been a vocal critic of developments in this divided country. In the following interview, he explains why the Institute's main partner in Afghanistan, the Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN), is pushing for the introduction of new legislation to regulate ordinary people's access to information. Q: Why is access to information essential for human rights? A: Access to information means that citizens have the right to get information concerning civil, political, economic, social and cultural matters from the public administration. It is a principle of good governance that government information - involving the education or health sector, state expenditure, election procedures, and anti-corruption measures - is made available to ordinary people. Some exceptions can be made to this principle such as issues regarding national security or confidential data about individuals, but these exemptions should be as few as possible. Access to information also enables people to directly confront and pressurize the state to make it more transparent and accountable, and to reduce corruption. The state will then be in a better position to fulfill its role and to respect the rights of all the people living under its jurisdiction. That is why access to information is so important for strengthening human rights culture, endorsing democracy and encouraging a culture which fosters the rule of law in society. Worldwide, there is increasing recognition of…

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