Afghan human rights hinges on national security

Everything, to include human rights progress, hinges on the ability of the Afghan government to provide security for the nation.

Prof. Ashraf Rasuli, legal advisor to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said it was a crucial piece to the puzzle during the “Islam and Human Rights” symposium held here Sept. 20.

The professor shared his insight with 40-plus members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior Legal Affairs Department, representatives of the Afghan Civil Order Police or ANCOP, and members of the coalition effort. Dignitaries attending included: Afghan Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahim Shuja, chief of legal affairs; and Maj. Gen. Abdul Masoud Ragheb, chief of the inspector general’s office.

Since taking office President Karzai has initiated a government commission to deal with human rights issues at the national level, working issues through the judiciary system and ANP resources, plus Afghanistan has agreed to international human rights declarations.

"Islam,” emphasized Rasuli, “provides for the welfare of Muslims … essentially regulations governing an Islamic society."

The slight of build, grey-haired professor suggested that as security improves and the Afghan government matures, so will its ability to address human rights issues; to include social and political rights.

“Nobody,” he emphasized, “has the power to strip another of their basic human rights – to live freely, to work and to provide for their family. And we will not accept any law contrary to the religion of Islam.”

Afghanistan: A war we can't lose

Afghanistan is a war we can’t lose, not because it’s crucial to global security or the future of democracy in the Middle East.

It’s a war we can’t lose due to the nature of the insurgency. The “enemy” is a stateless body void of any socio-political ideology and, therefore, is more akin to inner city “thugs” than an army of the people.

The best they can hope for is a stalemate with fighting forces of the international community – the tiring of western will and the resolve to finish what “we've” started.

Regardless, the fate of Afghanistan as a newly developed democratic nation state will fall directly into the lap of future political leaders, their armed forces, and, yes, the people themselves. It is, after all, the will of the people that will prevail. And neither the coalition effort nor that of the Talib and Al-Qaeda will succeed in its entirety without the backing of average Afghans.

By all accounts the Afghan National Army enjoys tremendous credibility and support from citizens, while the Afghan National Police strives to build a similar relationship. In the meantime, coalition efforts will continue to push Afghan leadership to the forefront, executing national programs based on internally developed plans. This is not an all or nothing game folks.

What it’s hoped the current effort succeeds in doing is providing Afghan leadership with the roadmap to victory – enough time and support to: 1) ensure security, the 2) economic growth, and 3) individual prosperity and freedoms. That once proven self-sufficient within all levels of government and security forces, they will continue to execute with the best interests of the people they govern in mind.

True, the international community doesn’t plan on dumping endless money, manpower and time into the effort; they will, eventually, determine the Afghans are ready to “ride” without training wheels. At that point in time, the Kabul government and people will either step up to the challenge or revert back to the days prior to the invasion.

Either way, they will be on notice that the West will not tolerate a return to the terrorist safe haven of the 90s.

(Pictured above: Afghan National Army recruits await further instruction from Afghan trainers at Kabul Military Training Center. Photo by G. A. Volb)

Ministry of Interior Messaging

In preparing senior Afghan Ministry of Interior leadership to respond to international concerns relating to the war, members of the MOI Public Information staff prepare news briefs ... a synopsis of ongoing events throughout the nation. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The MOI Public Information staff monitors radio traffic for issues they may want senior leaders to address. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Regional news is gathered for their information products. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The staff also monitors daily TV broadcasts for insight into national and international concerns. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Initially called on to work with members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior in developing their strategic communications program, I've been redirected ... exactly where at this point is unknown. Essentially, the office doesn't exist on their end, so no need to mentor the program.

What they have done, and I'm all in favor of the action, is wrapped up STRATCOM/PAO initiatives into one "directorate" known as Public Information. U.S. Department of Defense Public Affairs professionals would tell you that's exactly how it should be given nearly verbatim mandates for PAO and STRATCOM divisions. There should be no separation of focus ... if handled properly.

Simply put, if your PAO isn't executing what would be considered STRATCOM today, then he/she is not doing the job as intended.

Anyway, a small staff at the MOI handles gathering current issues, news, and international queries, then preps senior leadership for possible use in weekly addresses. The effort is a mainstay in the ministry's challenge of keeping Afghans (and the world) up to speed regarding government focus and initiatives.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Zemarai Bashary executes press briefs and responds to queries quite nicely by all accounts. And it's his staff of Public Information gurus that ensure he's ready to do so.

No doubt, this staff could use a bit more support in the way of high-end hardware, but they get the job done nonetheless. With all eyes on the war in Afghanistan, their mission of delivering the right messages in the appropriate format and to the right audiences is crucial to building support for the current Afghan government.

Day 373: A little extra never hurt anyone

It's a few days past the year mark and life goes on -- if you can call it that here. As I look back over my stay I realize I've experienced an even mix of frustration and satisfaction -- though the latter rarely came from major advances on the part of my Afghan national army counterparts.

Those I've mentored have made progress, no doubt, though much slower than I would have assumed prior to touching down here in May '08. I learned to seek refuge in minor miracles: being more proactive with international media, ensuring local messages were part of the "tour," and focus moved toward the average soldier a bit. 

But as the west has figured out, these successes are a tad bit more difficult to come by than fighting the Taliban.  

It's the year 1388 by Afghanistan's lunar calendar -- some would say the entire country still lives in the 14th Century. Yet, the coalition pushes ahead, striving to implement 21st Century military norms. In essence, trying to bring a horse and carriage up to '09 Corvette specs.

I leave on Monday, but rest assured, this mission will continue well into the next decade if democracy is to be successful here.  In my opinion, both Afghanistan and Pakistan play a crucial role in the war on terror.

I would love to return to a secure Afghanistan and enjoy the culture. But only time will tell if that's an option.