KABUL CONFERENCE AFFIRMS IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING PAST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMPREHENSIVELY AND PRACTICALLY

16 December 2005

A conference on truth-seeking and reconciliation, held in Kabul during the past three days, has concluded with a statement from participants affirming the importance of addressing the legacy of past human rights violations in a comprehensive and practical fashion.

The conference, organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in cooperation with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), was attended by more than 120 participants from all regions of Afghanistan, and included representatives of government, civil society, academia and the religious community. Representatives of the international community, the International Center for Transitional Justice and international experts in truth-seeking and reconciliation also attended the conference. The conference, held with support from the Netherlands, was preceded by a series of regional consultations on transitional justice in all provinces.

The conference was the first public forum to discuss the issue of transitional justice – how to deal with human rights violations of the past – in Afghanistan. “The holding of the conference itself is a major achievement”, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Mehr Khan Williams said in her statement to the meeting. “It has allowed Afghans from across the country to express their anguish and to demand accountability for past crimes”.

The main focus of the conference was to discuss whether Afghanistan needs a mechanism for truth-seeking and reconciliation. Many participants stressed their desire for justice measures, including prosecutions and removal of human rights abusers from positions of power. “Peace without justice will not be sustainable in Afghanistan,” said Dr. Sima Simar, Chairperson of AIHRC. “The people of Afghanistan are tired of waiting for justice. The action plan now needs to be implemented as soon as possible,” she concluded. There was broad support from the participants for truth-seeking as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing crimes of the past. Many participants stressed the need to acknowledge victims and to ensure their involvement, as well as many others in local communities, in the development of any transitional justice activities that are undertaken. In addition, participants welcomed the support of the international community and requested its continuing commitment.

The conference took place following the adoption of an Action Plan on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation in Afghanistan by the Cabinet on 12 December 2005, and marked the start of its implementation. “This conference means that the work is under way,” Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the Afghan Foreign Minister told the meeting.

The approval of the Action Plan was considered a significant achievement, indicating an important political commitment to implement measures for transitional justice. The Action Plan lays out a multi-pronged approach, including measures to publicly acknowledge and commemorate the plight of victims; measures for institutional reform and the vetting of human rights abusers from positions of power; exploring options for truth-seeking and reconciliation; and to strengthen a national capacity for criminal justice while reaffirming a commitment that no amnesty will be granted for gross violations of human rights.

“The achievement of transitional justice must help to strengthen peace and stability in our country. The action plan represents an appropriate procedure in this regard”, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in his message to the conference.

For use of the information media; not an official record