Features

November 5, 2008

Transitional Justice Review of Afghanistan

ICTJ has released a new review of efforts in Afghanistan to address past human rights abuses and to combat impunity.

The review focuses on long-running challenges that have hobbled the transitional justice process, in a country where peace and justice are consistently sacrificed to short-term stability and political expediency. Although not a panacea to all of Afghanistan's many problems, engaging with transitional justice issues is a necessary step to the establishment of political legitimacy and institutional integrity.

Acknowledging the difficult situation that Afghanistan is in and the many challenges ahead, the review underlines the importance of confronting the legacies of the past and coming to terms with the still-extant illegitimate power structures established during many decades of civil war.

The review recommends that government promote accountability and work to eliminate corruption to enhance stability and public support. It recommends that the government, along with its international partners, address possibilities for reparations, documentation, civilian safety and reviving a dialogue on the government's obligations to address the legacy of the past.

ICTJ submitted the report to the UN Human Rights Council, which will consider it as part of its Universal Periodic Review of member states' fulfillment of their human rights obligations. This review includes concrete recommendations Afghanistan should implement in order to provide justice for victims of atrocities, end impunity and foster long-term stability.