ICTJ in the News

February 5, 2007

International Rights Group Criticizes Wartime Amnesty Vote By Afghan Lawmakers

Radio Free Europe

U.S. Takes Command Of Nato-Led Afghan Force

U.S. General Dan McNeill assumed command of the 35,000-member NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan at a ceremony in Kabul on February 4, international news agencies reported. McNeill previously commanded the U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2003 and is scheduled to lead the NATO-led force for one year. "We will quit neither post nor mission until the job is done and we are properly relieved," McNeill said during the ceremonies to mark the handover of command from British General David Richards, according to "The New York Times" on February 5. In his speech, Richards warned that victory in Afghanistan requires more than just a military solution. He cited the need for more reconstruction and development, as well as the assumption by Kabul of responsibilities like good governance and improved relations with neighboring Pakistan, which Afghanistan has accused of supporting the neo-Taliban.

ISAF Tries To Recapture Southern Afghan Town...

Hours before the United States assumed command of ISAF on February 4, NATO launched an aerial attack on Musa Qala in Helmand Province, targeting the Taliban who took control of the town on February 2, Peshawar-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported. A resident of Musa Qala told AIP that two bombs were dropped near the main market in the town. U.K. forces struch a deal with local elders and left Musa Qala in October after suffering higher-than-expected casualties (see "RFE/RL Newsline," October 18, 2006). Former Helmand provincial security commander and current Wolesi Jirga (People's Council) member Dad Mohammad told AIP on February 3 that the "Taliban were in total control of Musa Qala" at the time of the October deal, adding that "everything said about an agreement [with local elders] has been a lie." His statements followed an ISAF press release the same day that said "reports were received that an unknown number of Taliban entered the Musa Qala district center."

...While Taliban Propose New Deal

Qari Mohammad Yusof, speaking for the Taliban on February 4, proposed a new peace deal with NATO over Musa Qala, AIP reported. "We want total security to prevail in Musa Qala," Mohammad Yusof told AIP. "It was for this reason that we left Musa Qala last time [October 2006] at the request of local elders.... However, NATO did not observe the agreement and carried out bombing raids in Musa Qala several times." The Taliban spokesman went on to say that "once again we propose a security agreement, provided that local elders can give us firm guarantees that there will be no more" bombings or other military operations in the district and that NATO and Afghan military forces are barred from entering the area. Mohammad Yusof warned that Taliban fighters in Musa Qala will defend themselves if attacked by NATO or other forces.

International Rights Group Criticizes Wartime Amnesty Vote By Afghan Lawmakers...

In a press release on February 3, the New York-based International Central for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) criticized a recent decision by the Afghan lower house to grant full amnesty to all parties involved in more than two decades of conflict in Afganistan. The ICTJ said that by offering "an amnesty to a broad range of perpetrators," the Wolesi Jirga's (People's Council) resolution "contravenes Afghanistan's obligations to pursue accountability for serious human rights abuses." The group charged that Afghan President Hamid Karzai would "break his recent promise to pursue justice and fight impunity" if he signed the bill into law. "A genuine desire for peace must be expressed by addressing the needs of victims, not by promoting impunity," Marieke Wierda, head of ICTJ's Afghanistan program, said. Backers argue that the Wolesi Jirga adopted the resolution, called "National Stability and Reconciliation," in the interest of peace and security (see "RFE/RL Newsline," February 2, 2007).

...While Taliban Website Calls Move 'Un-Islamic'

A website purporting to represent the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan -- the name of the country under the Taliban -- posted a statement on February 3 rejecting the Wolesi Jirga's wartime-amnesty resolution. The amnesty decision not only grants full amnesty to all sides in the Afghan conflict, but also extends a blanket amnesty to all opponents of the current Afghan government if they end their fighting (see "RFE/RL Newsline," February 1, 2007). The Taliban has consistently rejected any suggestion of talks with either Kabul authorities or "the foreign invaders." The statement called the Wolesi Jirga resolution illegal and said it contradicted Shari'a, adding that the Taliban will never forgive people who "entered Kabul with [the aid of] American aircrafts" and "invited the Americans" to occupy Afghanistan. The statement added that the Afghan nation will never grant amnesty to those who have "sold the Afghan identity and the country's independence."