Statements & Messages

In the name of Almighty Allah CSHRN Statement Regarding the Recent Plan of Ministry of Higher Education On Rationing the Entrance Exam (Concour) July 09, 2013 Kabul-Afghanistan The Afghan ministry of higher education has announced that after this, the entrance exam of universities will be taken based on the quotas on provinces and regions. And also, getting more than 65% average for school graduates during the last three years is considered as a requirement of attending the entrance exam (Concour). Ministry of higher education says that the purpose of this project is equal access of all provinces to higher and semi-higher education and ensuring transparency and justice in the process of Concour and a way of tackling the current problems in this field. There is no doubt that equal access to education is the right of every Afghan citizen and according to the first paragraph of article no 43 of the Afghan constitution «Education is the right of all citizens of Afghanistan, which shall be offered up to the B.A. level in the state educational institutes free of charge by the state». According to this paragraph of the constitution, the Afghan government is obliged to provide access to education in all levels, primary, secondary, higher and semi-higher education to all Afghan citizens without any dependency to region, location or specific province. Based on the provision of the constitution, the right to access education, is an equal citizenship right for all citizens of Afghanistan and cannot be divided or separated based on the relation or dependency of the people. Also, Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (adopted by the UN general assembly in 1966), which Afghanistan signed and ratified, have considered the right…

In the name of Almighty Allah CSHRN statement on the occasion of appointment of new commissioners of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) June, 18, 2013 Kabul-Afghanistan His Excellency, Hamid Karzai, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has recently introduced and appointed five new commissioners of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC). The representatives of the Afghan civil society held meetings with his Excellencyand submitted a list of potential and capable candidates. Howeverthe list of well experienced persons in the field of human rights, civil society values and democracy was submitted to the president as result of meetings butthe new five commissioners of the Independent Human Rights Commission have been appointed without considering the consultation processwith the civil society, and none of these five commissioners were mentioned in the list, provided by the civil society. This issue induced the civil society to ask about the logic andrational beyond discourse of the civil society with the president in this connection. According to the information gained by civil society actors, some of the new commissioners are linked to political-ideological groups. Affiliation of commissioners brings the professionalism and independency of AIHRC as a national organization of Human Rights under the question. The national institution, calledin Afghanistan the Independent Human Rights Commission, is constituted under Paris Principles. Based on these principles, states are liable to establish and support national institution of human rights based on their commitments to human rights. Accordingtothese principles, national institutions of Human Rights are free of all kind of political-ideological interference. High commissioner and other commissioners of national Human Rights Iinstitutions should be free of any political-ideological affiliation and dependency to any political party. The commissioners must be committed to human rights values and work accountably and in close coordination with human rights organizations. The principle,…

In the name of Almighty Allah Respect your mothers, sisters, wives and daughters, they are also human! With great regret, that the Afghan parliament didn't approve the law on Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) on its general session on Saturday, May 18, 2013. The opposition of a number of MPs caused the law not to be approved by the house of people; they were claiming that some of its articles are in conflict with the Islamic principles. At the meantime, women suffers many types of violence in Afghanistan, which are also contrary with the Islamic values, and yet violence against women is one the most common problems in Afghanistan. In order to fulfill their civic duty and understanding the negative deep impacts of violence against women in our society, the civil society institutions have taken their continues measures and effortsto find a fundamental solution for reducing and eliminating the culture of violence against women and misogyny in the country. One of the fundamental and civil solution that the civil institutions are agree on, is the existence of a law and an appropriate judicial structure, to fight this inhuman phenomena of violence against women. The draft of the law on Elimination of Violence Against Women, which has also been signed as a legislative decree by his Excellency president Hamid Karzai, is the outcome of the non-tiring efforts of the Civil Institutions & groups, civil activists, Human Rights Activists and conscious women of Afghanistan. The conscious womenand the Civil Society of Afghanistan consider the approval of this law as a sign of national attempt for eradicating the culture of misogyny in Afghanistan and executing itsinternational commitments and it was called a strong pillar for a human society without gender discrimination. The Civil Society & Human Rights Network, which is…

In the name of Almighty Allah Statement of Civil Society & Human Rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN) March 11, 2013 Kabul-Afghanistan Afghanistan is experiencing a critical situation. The periodic withdrawals of the international forces from 2014, the conducting of the presidential election, capacity building of political & economic self-sufficiency are the most significant components of the current situation. The role of the international community, particularly the close partners of Afghanistan , is very important in this regard. The international community has uniquely supported the people and the government of Afghanistan during the past twelve years. The civil society of Afghanistan appreciates the international community's role for supporting the Afghan people and State. The civil society of Afghanistan were very much aware of the importance of supporting the Afghan people in such a significant stage in relation to the economic crises, which sweeps the world. Recently, it is very noticeable that the constructive convergence between the Afghan government and the international community has been faced with difficulties. Political leaders provide their speeches in a non-friendly manner to the address of the international community led by the United States of America , which led to the same reaction by the international community toward Afghanistan . The sequential wars have made this country a dependent state to the international community. To get free of such dependencies, the people & the Afghan government need the support of the international community and for getting their support, the Afghan government should initiates its programs in convergence and coordination of the international community. The civil society of Afghanistan urges the government to keep and maintain its convergence & coordinate through planning some constructive programs and strategies along with keeping its national interest, national sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the behalf of the Afghan people, the…

In the name of Almighty Allah Statement of the Civil Society & Human rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN) Regarding the recent genocide and terrorist attacks in Quetta, Pakistan Feb 20, 2013 Kabul-Afghanistan The civil society institutions have been strongly concerned by the recent reports of targeted killings of Hazara ethnic minority in Pakistan . The recent terrorist attack in Quetta , Pakistan has killed more than 90 innocent people and wounded nearly 200 others, while all of the victims of the incident belong to a certain ethnic group. Such targeted murders against a certain community or ethnic group that hurt the conscience of people is seriously against the humanity. We the members of the civil institution, while feel sharer in their pains and mourns strongly condemned this terrorist attack, and propose the followings. •  We the member of civil society institution, are strongly concerned about the targeted killings and attack, which have been carrying out from many years in Pakistan against a certain ethnic group, and considered it an obvious genocide. To prevent such crimes some serious and comprehensive measures should be taken, otherwise these inhuman disasters will be increased; hence, we request the government of Pakistan in relation to the recent terrorist attacks, to carry out some practical actions in identifying and prosecution of its perpetrators, and take necessary measures for protecting the lives and properties of civilian, which is one the most basic duties of a responsible government. •  CSHRN urge the UN, to initiate fact-finding programs in relation to this genocide, and declare its results clearly. •  CSHRN, request the United Nations, particularly human rights supportive organizations of UN, to put pressure on the Pakistani government in order to conduct some comprehensive and fact-finding programs for prosecution of the those who claimed responsibility for the…

In the name of Almighty Allah CSHRN statement on planning illegal military programs in Afghanistan Nov 14, 2012 Kabul-Afghanistan A number of political forces have recently propounded the discussion of establishing the military groups and stated about planning an independent martial programs. The discussion of organizing the martial programs is stated while the people and the government of Afghanistan vowed for strengthening the national government and national convergence. Planning such illegal programs has been discussed, while the general perception and attention of the world and supporters of Afghanistan has been focused on strengthening an active government that has professional structures and mechanisms. The Civil Society & Human Rights Network of Afghanistan has strongly condemned designing such programs which are against the national interest, national unity, and rule of law and the process of convergence for peace in the country. The Civil Society & Human Rights Network of Afghanistan welcomes such efficient and active state-building process that has police, intelligence, and united, trained and professional army, and expresses its deepest abhorrence of establishing any kind of military and martial unit beside the armed military forces of the country. The people of Afghanistan, who had experienced the civil wars in the country have been plagued and harassed by the contumaciousness of the military groups, and in no ways will bear nepotism, establishment of illegal armed groups and ancestry, and call for convergence and national unity in the country. Establishing illegal armed groups is against the constitution of Afghanistan and the other laws related to the military forces of the country, and it limits the role of the government in the society and broadened human rights violation. The Civil Society & Human Rights Network of Afghanistan asks the president his Excellency, Hamid Karzai, to assure the people of Afghanistan from the…

In the name of Almighty Allah Recommendations of the national conference on strengthening women's role in peace-building Oct 14, 2012 Kabul-Afghanistan Peace is one of the most significant requirements of all Afghans. Peace makes the ground for our people towards the national, social, economic development and c national solidarity. Peace is one of the messages of Islam. Allah calls upon human beings for peace and the prophet Muhammad has leaded the Muslims to live in peace and respect tolerance and coexistence. Peace is an accepted requirement at national and international level. The government of Afghanistan is responsible on the behalf of Afghan people to secure peace in the country. Since three years, the government of Afghanistan with the support of the international community has launched wide efforts for peace-building. Establishment of High Peace Council (HPC) to administrate efforts for peace in the country is one of the most important measures. Peace became as one of the most important agenda of the government but the enemies of peace has limited and challenged the peace process. It seems that illegal interventions from abroad have negatively affected the peace process. Women make half of population of our society. Women were the main victims of continuous wars in Afghanistan and have suffered from perpetual violence. The role of women is very important Women should have favorable opportunities like men for participating in peace-building processes. The principle based on demand and will, of women should be included in political programs of the government and international strategies. A series of regional conferences were organized and conducted by the High Peace Council and the Civil Society and Human Rights Network of Afghanistan. The regional conferences started from the provinces and consequently the "National Conference on Strengthening the Role of Women in Peace Process", conducted in…

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;…

In the name of Almighty Allah Declaration of Civil Society & Human rights Network (CSHRN) of Afghanistan on serial capital punishment of Afghan refugees in Iran Kabul , Oct 12, 2012 The news of the decision of Islamic republic of Iran in respect of capital punishment of over 2000 Afghan citizens has shocked the civil society of Afghanistan. According to the civil society of Afghanistan, this decision of the Islamic republic of Iran, was assumed as a massacre and is considered against the entire accepted norms of the human rights and the international relations. Iran, as the most adjacent country to Afghanistan in term of Culture, history and common past, can play an important role in the improvement of the political relations of Afghanistan in the region, but such approaches over the past few years, is the indicator of the highest possible vulnerability of the social relations of the two countries. It should be mentioned that the reactions of Iran's government against the Afghan refugees, is abhorrent to the accepted norms of neighborhood in the principles of the international relationships. As the member of the international convention of refugee's rights concluded of 1951 of Geneva, the government of Iran is responsible for solving and handling the disputation of the refugees from some diplomatic ways with the neighboring countries. On the other hand, the group execution of afghan citizens is against the accepted convention of the human rights and the adopted principles of international rights. The civil society & human rights organization of Afghanistan, representing the civil society of the country, is seriously suggesting the bellow points. We ask the Islamic republic of Iran to immediately stop the continuance of the capital punishment and provide an international negotiation in respect of Afghan refugees' problem who has been sentenced to…

In the name of Almighty Allah Civil Society & Human Rights Network's statement Regarding the recent statute (regulation) of the ministers council Kabul , Afghanistan Oct 5, 2012 President Hamid Karzai tasked ministry of information & culture to prevent from the publication of those programs of media's which are (falsifying the public's mind) and are against national interest in ministers council of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan On Monday, Oct 01. In the statute of this meeting, without mentioning the name of the media, the publications and of some of the media has been considered abhorrent to the national interest. Civil Society & Human Rights Network (CSHRN) of Afghanistan has expressed its concern from the approval of this statute's and considered that against the law and a pressure on the media and analysts. According to Afghanistan 's general media law, the high media council is the only source which has the responsibility for designing and formulating the long term media policy in the country and no other entity including the ministry of information & culture has the right of interfering in media policy in the country. Having no clear definition and precise understanding of the expressions like (against national interest) and (falsifying the public's mind) which have been used in this statute and also ambiguity on their identification, can cause to limit the freedom of media and lead to some unpleasant consequences. Setting open discussions and participation of analyst, researchers and affairs experts on different issues of the country plays an important role on increasing public awareness and is considered as one of the unique achievements of media in Afghanistan. General media law and Afghanistan 's constitution has defined the role of the media and freedom of expressions to the citizens of Afghanistan . These roles have been…