feeds from sacw.net
print versiona compilation of select statements in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan (aug-oct 2021)
- SAAPE stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan
- Statement on Afghanistan - The Network of Women in Media
- Radical Socialist Statement on Afghanistan: A Double Tragedy
- Indian Muslims must reject the ‘Islamic Emirate’ in Afghanistan: IMSD
- UN Expert - Protect Artists & Cultural Heritage after Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan
- Statement: UN Women, calls on the Taliban leadership to include women in govt
- Mobilise Indians & Pakistanis for Solidarity with people of Afghans - PIPFPD Statement
++++
SAAPE stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan
18 August by SAAPE
SAAPE extends its solidarity to women, men and children of Afghanistan who are once again at the toxic crossroads of war and violence, political instability and an uncertain future.
The return of the Taliban in the Afghanistan government is a setback for the progressive forces in the world, particularly for South Asia. We condemn the forcible takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban fighters. Their victory is not at all a sign of stability and peace but a perpetuation of the civil war. The establishment of another religious fanatic state in South Asia will promote religious sectarianism throughout the region and anti-peace measures will continue. We apprehend that a theocratic state that the Taliban intends to install will not only be disastrous for Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and beyond.
We as South Asians, committed to long-term just peace in the region, understand and empathise with our Afghan friends who have suffered over two decades of war, political crisis, economic destitution, total collapse of basic services such as clean water, basic public health care, safe housing and uninterrupted education. We stand in solidarity with Afghan women and girls who have regularly suffered due to the denial of women’s right to education and right to work. We understand that they have suffered over and above the structural and well-entrenched barriers of patriarchy. The devastating multi-prong impact of the Covid-19 pandemic adds to the misery and gravity of the situation now facing women, girls and the Afghan people.
We call upon the South Asian governments to take a public and principled position in favour of the Afghan people and denounce any external interference in the name of peace and conflict resolution.
We demand that the UN and the international community take immediate and sincere efforts to resolve the political crisis which has brought tragic humanitarian devastation. Any such efforts must prioritise the Afghan people’s rights and dignity. Providing relief in the remote regions of Afghanistan has become urgent.
We urge the governments of South Asia and the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan to ensure safe passage and provide asylum to the fleeing refugees especially vulnerable families.
We condemn the proxy war that has escalated around Afghanistan involving regional and global powers as it contributes to the exacerbation of humanitarian crisis and vulnerability.
We condemn imperialist or other foreign invasions and occupations that that has played a huge role in fomenting the current crisis. We denounce the widespread corruption and misgovernance or the lack of governance in Afghanistan that has created this kind of situation and perhaps, have legitimised the Taliban actions.
We are concerned about the South Asian regional inter-governmental mechanism, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) being a mute spectator and not having any role to address this regional issue of major significance. We urge the governments of South Asia to review their positions and find avenues for revitalising the SAARC to ensure people’s dignity and sovereignty in the region.
On behalf of SAAPE members
Netra Timsina
Regional Coordinator
August 17, 2021
o o
Statement on Afghanistan - The Network of Women in Media
August 17, 2021
The Network of Women in Media, India stands in solidarity with journalists and all other beleaguered civilians in Afghanistan, especially women, as the situation rapidly deteriorates amidst the Taliban take-over of the country. We urge the Indian government to extend all possible support to vulnerable civilians and journalists, particularly women journalists, in Afghanistan.
Women journalists that the NWMI has been in contact with are bearing witness to the utter chaos, terror and uncertainty as the nightmare of a brutal Taliban reign becomes a reality, pushing back decades of hard-won progress for women and girls, upon whom the Taliban has meted out particularly horrific treatment merely on account of their gender.
The period 2020-21 has been one of the deadliest for journalists in Afghanistan. According to the IFJ South Asia Press Freedom Report, from May 2020 to April 2021, eight journalists (four of them women) were killed, 20 were wounded and some imprisoned. “At least 100 resigned from the industry and 50 were forced to flee beyond its borders. Such violence and a declining security situation represent a serious counter threat to the achievements of the last two decades in the field of freedom of expression and a free press in Afghanistan,” says the report. At least one female journalist has been killed since the report came out.
The voices of women journalists in Afghanistan tell of extreme precarity and risk:
• “Things are horrible and will get worse. If you don’t have money, you can do nothing to save your life.”
• “We are living in a very risky situation and day by day we lose hope. We are concerned about our safety but also the loss of our achievements. I am not afraid of killing and death but afraid of their (the Taliban) cruel behaviour. I am really afraid for the young women journalists live in the provinces. They are under pressure from this trauma and cannot escape.”
• “The situation is very bad and we are in danger. Our radio station is not working right now because the Taliban attacked and ruined my radio station… I really love my work and my country but I need to find safety for myself and my family, at least for a few months. I hope the international community will get us to better and safe living.”
• “Last week, I was a news journalist. Today, I can’t even write under my own name or say where I am from or where I am. My whole life has been obliterated in just a few days.”
• “I want to come to India by unfortunately the visa became closed. I need financial help. I really love my work and my country but my family and life is also important.”Automatic word wrap
• “Kabul is captured by the Taliban. We are really worried and concerned about the safety of all women journalists. I hope we have Internet connection and access. Pray for us. We fight and give sacrifice for nothing.”
• “The biggest help is to facilitate visas for journalists to safer countries to keep us alive and hear our voice against injustice and violations.”
The NWMI urges the Government of India to immediately facilitate visas for Afghan journalists, especially women journalists, and their families, especially elderly dependents and minor children. Such evacuation must be without any discrimination whatsoever, especially any based on religion or ethnicity.
We hope that the Government of India, as well as Indian civil society and journalists’ bodies will arrange for the evacuees’ accommodation and sustenance in India during this catastrophic crisis.
The Network of Women in Media, India
17 August 2021
o o
Radical Socialist Statement on Afghanistan: A Double Tragedy [Aug 18, 2021]
We mourn with the Afghan people their double tragedy. The first tragedy---the US’s illegal and utterly unjustified military invasion twenty years ago---helped prepare the ground for today’s tragedy, the accession to power of the Islamo-fanatical Taliban. Condemnation of the latter must not mean any softening of the criticism of US and Western imperialism or in shedding tears at its departure from the country. The single most important democratic advance in the whole of the second half of the 20th century was the end of foreign colonial and imperialist rule even where this unfortunately resulted in the emergence of indigenous dictatorships. In a world where peoples are constituted as belonging to separate and multiple states, the fundamental moral-political principle to uphold (minus the rarest of exceptional cases) is respecting the freedom of agency of a people to overthrow their own tyrants. This is why it was the responsibility of Indians to overthrow British rule, of Indonesians the Dutch, of South Africans against Apartheid, and so on. Calling for external help of all kinds, even military aid, was one thing; calling for external military liberation, No!
In the 1978 ’Saur Revolution’ a secular and reform-minded pro-Soviet ’Communist’ party, the PDPA (People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan) came to power but was bedevilled by internal armed faction-fighting and had no real social base beyond Kabul. The Soviet invasion in 1979 to support this government was morally unjustified and condemnable while politically disastrous, handing over as it did the mantle of ’popular nationalist struggle’ against the foreign invader, to a host of ethno-tribal Islamist groups including Al Qaeda and Taliban. The primary military aiders, equippers and trainers of these were the US, its British/French allies along with Pakistan. The Soviets finally withdrew in 1989 with its factotum government collapsing three years later amidst a civil war waged by the various Islamists until the Taliban capturing 90% of the territory established its dominance in 1996.
In 2001 the US government deliberately refused to characterise the assault on Twin Towers and Pentagon as what it was, namely an international crime against humanity. For that would have meant going after the criminals and their network only. Instead, by declaring a ’Global War on Terror’ and claiming that no distinction would be made between the guilt of the perpetrators and that of the governments of countries which the US declared to be ’housing terrorists’---the way was cleared for the US to transform a conflict between itself and a non-state network into one against any number of countries in West and Central Asia in keeping with its wider geo-political ambitions of achieving global dominance. In the new millennium Afghanistan was the first of many to suffer such military assaults. The US foreign policy establishment had already identified China, Iran and Russia as the ones to watch out for and were accordingly well aware that Afghanistan, apart from Pakistan, abuts Iran, China and pro-Russia Central Asian Republics, the latter also a region having large relatively untapped sources of oil and gas.
In these 20 years the US military and its puppet regimes (themselves corrupt and internally fractious) have carried out massive bombings (’daisy cutters’, cluster bombs), drone attacks (extending into Pakistan) and brutal and indiscriminate ’search and destroy’ missions against unknown insurgents and their families. US deaths (soldiers and contractors) have been around 6500. In contrast, by extremely conservative estimates, total Afghan deaths up to the end of 2019 (government soldiers/police, opposition fighters, civilians) were around 160,000. Other sources which try to take account of unreported deaths have estimates of civilian casualties alone running from a few hundred thousand to over a million in an overall population between 35-40 million. Four million Afghans have been internally displaced with another 2.7 million external refugees. As of now around 48% are below the national poverty line. Some progressive laws and reforms have taken place but they no more justify US presence and rule than the fact of the British building hospitals, schools and introducing some legislatures, elections and limited franchise would have justified the persistence of colonial rule in India.
That the 300,000 plus official Afghan forces (soldiers, police, special militias) numbering 5 to 6 times more than Taliban fighters and also equipped with the most advanced arsenal of weapons and having full mechanical control of airspace should have so dramatically collapsed, indicates that the Taliban did have a measure of ground support and public acquiescence (no doubt considerably fear-induced) beyond its predominantly Pushtun base. However, it is strongly hostile to the Persian-speaking Tajiks who make up 27% of the population as compared to the 42% of Pushtuns which means there is every reason to fear serious internal repression and even a possible civil war type situation in the future. Taliban may or may not have learnt something from its past international isolation and avoid some forms of social and civic repression. But given its history and social/civic programme of religious sectarianism, anti-democratic, anti-women measures---it has declared it will impose Sharia Law---there is every reason to oppose it forthrightly and without equivocation.
Governments everywhere including India’s, will shed crocodile tears for the Afghan people, but are in fact (accompanied by respective bus loads of ’strategic experts’) only motivated by the crude and amoral considerations of realpolitik. Claiming to pursue the ’national interest’---standardised subterfuge for the actual pursuit of ruling class interests that these different states actually represent---they will decide whether or when to establish diplomatic relations of some kind with the new Taliban government; or else to join hands with other self-serving major powers and their cohorts be these the Western Alliance or the possible front of Russia, China and Pakistan that looks more favourably at the new dispensation in Afghanistan. No Afghan government has ever accepted the Durand line and the Taliban with even stronger sympathies with Pushtuni nationalism is not as beholden to Pakistan as the Islamophobic Modi government (some of whose Hindutva prescriptions are as debased as those of radical Islam) would like to make out for the purpose of whipping up anti-Pakistan sentiment domestically which then pays dividends for deepening repression in Kashmir.
It is the good of the Afghan people not our supposed ’national interest’ that must be our point of departure for reflecting on what we must support and oppose. There should be no economic sanctions against Afghanistan. These hurt the people much more than the elites that govern. Humanitarian aid on an appropriate scale routed through progressive international and civil society organisations to this war-torn country is a must. No recognition to the Taliban regime while political, diplomatic and cultural pressures of various kinds (but not military) can play a role in pushing it to be less repressive in its laws and actions against women and ethnic and religious minorities. A basic test for the West and many other countries will come with regard to the posture they adopt towards the flow of Afghan refugees now and afterwards. There should be no restriction to those seeking refuge or asylum and adequate provision be made for them to stay or relocate to where they can. This holds for India as well. Even before the advent of Modi, India was and remains a non-party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol which among other things rejects refoulement (forcible return of refugees to their places of displacement/persecution). This Modi government has carried this out to a number of Rohingyas simply because they are Muslims. This hostility to Muslims and Islam is also reflected in the Citizenship Amendment Act applicable to Afghanistan. While New Delhi may in current circumstances allow for selective refugee influx this is not enough. Free flow must be allowed even as there can be discussion among neighbouring states for sharing the responsibility. Moreover, those Afghans, students and otherwise who are already in the country and wish to remain must have their visas extended until such time as they feel confident of returning back or they can in due course apply for Indian citizenship.
NO TO IMPERIALISM, NO TO THE TALIBAN
o o
Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD)
August 23, 2021
Press release:
Indian Muslims must reject the ‘Islamic Emirate’ in Afghanistan: IMSD
Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) rejects the very idea of a theocratic state anywhere in the world. It therefore questions the legitimacy of the “Islamic Emirate” the Taliban seek to impose on the war-torn, war-weary people of Afghanistan who are yearning for peace.
We are deeply disturbed by the euphoria evident among a section of Indian Muslims, including religious leaders such as the office bearers of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Umrain Mahfuz Rahmani and Maulana Sajjad Nomani, and the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind, over the Taliban’s capture of power.
It is nothing but sheer opportunism and hypocrisy to stand in support of a secular state in a country like India where Muslims are in a minority and applaud the imposition of Shariah rule wherever they are in a majority. Such rank double-standard gives legitimacy to the sangh parivar’s agenda for a Hindu Rashtra.
IMSD respects the views of the growing tribe of Islamic scholars, religious leaders and Muslim intellectuals across the globe who argue that the very notion of an “Islamic state” is antithetical to the core teachings of Islam. According to them, the core values of Islam are not in conflict with the basic principles of a secular-democratic state and religious pluralism.
IMSD stands in solidarity with the beleaguered millions of Afghan women and men who for too long have been trapped between the corrupt-to-the-core puppet governments propped up by the occupying American and Nato forces and the regressive Taliban who during their earlier rule had trampled over the most basic rights and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.
It is one thing to welcome the ouster of the occupiers and the overthrow of their puppets, quite another to celebrate the return to power of those who with their barbaric version of Islam have contributed in no small measure to the demonization of Muslims and their faith across the globe.
Some leaders of the Taliban have been making appropriate noises about general amnesty, press freedom and women’s rights even as other leaders are asserting that it will be “Shariah law and not democracy” in Afghanistan. However, heart-wrenching images of panic-stricken women, men and children being broadcast across the world, and news reports of house-to-house hunt for journalists and dissenters tell their own story.
We call on the global community to launch a ‘24/7 Afghanistan Watch’ to mount decisive pressure on the Taliban to ensure and show to the world that, unlike their earlier brutal rule which had turned Afghanistan into a veritable hell on earth especially for the women, this time they will respect the liberties and rights of all its women, men and children.
Meanwhile, IMSD calls upon the democratic world in general and the US in particular to open its borders to Afghans who are forced to flee from their country. It calls upon the BJP-led Indian government to immediately sign the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and act in consonance to that convention. India must open its doors to all Afghan refugees, irrespective of religion.
Signatories to the statementAutomatic word wrap
(Includes IMSD members and others who support this statement)
o o
Heed the warning from UN Expert - Protect Artists and Cultural Heritage following Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan
GENEVA (17 August 2021) A UN human rights expert today warned of a "cultural disaster" in Afghanistan after Kabul fell to Taliban forces, and urged States to provide urgent assistance to human rights defenders, including those working on women’s and cultural rights, as well as artists, trying to flee the country.
[ . . . ]
http://www.sacw.net/article14724.html
o o
unwomen.org
Statement: Pramila Patten, Executive Director a.i of UN Women, calls on the Taliban leadership to include women in the upcoming governance entity
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2021
"I take note of the public commitments made by the Taliban’s spokesperson to uphold women’s rights “within the framework of Islam”, including women’s right to work, to pursue higher education and to have an active role in society, as well as the right of girls to attend school. The immediate inclusion of women in the governance structure of the new leadership in Afghanistan will be the ultimate litmus test for the Taliban," stated Ms. Patten.
The full and complete development of Afghanistan and the cause of peace require the equal and meaningful participation of women in all fields including public and political life. Women’s full participation is essential not only for their empowerment but also for the advancement of society as a whole. The Taliban leadership must take bold steps to fully include women in decision-making at all levels, both nationally and internationally, so that they may continue to make their contribution to the goals of equality, development and peace.
The supreme law of Afghanistan, its Constitution adopted in 2004, includes clear provisions on the equal rights of all citizens including women’s participation in the political life of the country. Afghanistan also ratified, without reservation, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and adopted, in 2015, a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security to ensure the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1325. These commitments are binding and must be acted upon immediately.
"As Afghanistan embarks on building a new future, I call on the Taliban leadership to: (1) reaffirm their commitment to comply with constitutional provisions and international treaties which guarantee equality to all citizens; (2) guarantee the full and equal participation of women in the political and decision-making processes; (3) ensure women are protected from gender-based threats and attacks, which violate their rights and impede their effective participation; and (4) reaffirm the aim of achieving broad representation in public life, by ensuring women have full equality in the exercise of political and economic power," said Ms. Patten.
"Further to the United Nations Security Council resolution adopted yesterday, 30 August, reaffirming the importance of upholding human rights, including the rights of women, and encouraging all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement that ensures the full, equal and meaningful representation of women, I call on the international community to sustain its attention and action to ensure women’s rights are non-negotiable," added Ms. Patten.
Afghan women’s rights activists have fought for their rights and have made considerable progress. These hard-won gains cannot be reversed or rolled back. The inclusion of women in the governance architecture will be the litmus test for the new political leadership of Afghanistan. Urgent action is needed now to ensure the full participation of women in the public and political life of Afghanistan.
o o
Mobilise Indians and Pakistanis to Stand in Solidarity with people of Afghanistan - PIPFPD Joint Statement released on 19th October 2021
Afghanistan continuing political social and economic crisis - the deepening humanitarian catastrophe was at the core of the urgent concerns that motivated a host of civil society and human rights advocates to join the Pakistan–India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) in a singular online conversation that went beyond state narratives of security and competitive national interests, to surface civil society perspectives of Afghan peoples struggles. PIPFPD, one of the oldest civil society movements with members from Pakistan and India hoped to mobilise collective cross border strategies for action.
