Human rights Casestudy: Strategies in Afghanistan

Question 1

Where is Afghanistan

Answer 1

Southwest Asia

Question 2

Why has Afghanistan’s development been inhibited?

Answer 2

It’s development has been inhibited by long periods of political instability and armed conflict

Question 3

How many civilians have died in Afghanistan in the last 2 decades?

Answer 3

Up to 50k

Question 4

How many military personnel have died in Afghanistan?

Answer 4

Around 7000 Us and Allied Forces
Up to 70000 Afghan military and police

Question 5

What is evidence of gender inequality human rights violations in Afghanistan?

Answer 5

• Afghanistan ranks lowest on the Global Gender Gap Index
• MMR of 640/100,000 live births, that is predicted to rise over 1000 following 2025
• There is a high adolescent birth rate
• Omly 12% of women have advanced to secondary education
• Women are currently restricted from many workplaces

Question 6

What is evidence of restricted socio-economic development in Afghanistan?

Answer 6

• Afghanistan ranks 168 out of 189 countries in HDI.
• This HDI outcome is due to a low life expectancy of 53 years 3.8 years average schooling and 55% below the poverty line.

Question 7

How is displacement a human right issue in Afghanistan?

Answer 7

1.7 million IDPs (internally displaced persons) have been displaced and many more have migrated abroad to seek asylum in response to other violations

Question 8

Why are women’s rights violations in Afghanistan?

Answer 8

• The 2018 OHCHRreport that 87% of Afghanistan’s women experience physical, sexual or emotional violence with a lack of justice.

Question 9

How many journalists have quit since seizure of Afghanistan from the Taliban?

Answer 9

84% have quit from fear of repression.

Question 10

What is the UNs mission in Afghanistan called?

Answer 10

The UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan)

Question 11

What is the aims of UNAMA in Afghanistan?

Answer 11

• Worked with and supported the government
• To support the process of peace and reconciliation
• To monitor and promote human rights
• Protect civilians in armed conflict
• To promote good governance to encourage socio-economic development and co-operation.

Question 12

What is another UN agency in Afghanistan apart from UNAMA?

Answer 12

The OHCHR (The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)

Question 13

What does the OHCHR do in Afghanistan?

Answer 13

The OHCHR (a UN organisations) works with the UN UNAMA human rights component, promoting rights to food, shelter, education, livelihood, health, justice and physical security.

Question 14

What does UNICEF stand for?

Answer 14

The UNs International Children’s Emergency Fund (United Nations Children’s Fund)

Question 15

What does the UNDP stand for?

Answer 15

The United Nations Development Programme

Question 16

How does UNICEF promote rural development in Afghanistan?

Answer 16

• Promoting community based schools
• Protecting children from child marriage, labour and domestic abuse
• Providing safety for children affected by conflict
• Preventing child recruitment into armed groups
• Supplying mobile healthcare to vaccinate children and provide maternity service

Question 17

What did the USAID agricultural programme do in Afghanistan?

Answer 17

• Combats the food insecurity issue in Afghanistan (1/3 face severe food insecurity)
• Increases agricultural productivity and rural employment to support rural communities under the poverty line

Question 18

What is a province in Afghanistan that has been benefited by UN, NGOs and government efforts?

Answer 18

• The Ghor Province.
• It is a remote mountainous rural area with poor accessibility.
• Access to healthcare, education and food security would be minimal without co-ordinated support.

Question 19

What is the main example of an NGO in Afghanistan?

Answer 19

Afghanaid

Question 20

What UN division supports Afghanistan’s urban neighborhoods?

Answer 20

UN Habitat

Question 21

What does the UN Habitat do in Afghanistan urban neighborhoods?

Answer 21

• Co-ordinates with the Afghan government, local government and community councils.
• It uses funds from the Japanese government to upgrade neighborhoods in provincial capitals and Kabul.

Question 22

What can you argue about the UN Habitat’s work on neighborhoods?

Answer 22

If asked a question about what is the most important role, UN Habitat works with the Government so it is a combined effort

Question 23

What is the capital of Afghanistan?

Answer 23

Kabul

Question 24

What is the basis of UN Habitat’s project to improve urban areas?

Answer 24

The election of Community Development Councils (CDCs) to combat deprivation.
- Deprivation here is caused by denial of human rights and economic and security motivated urbanization.
- CDCs were locally elected and had 50% female membership.
- Most CDC areas plans include upgrading of housing, infrastructure, electricity, sanitation, schools and healthcare.
- Other benefits include improved engagement of women in projects, employment opportunities, security of land tenure for informal settlements, improved roads and drainage etc…

Question 25

What is the role of the Afghan government in human rights governing in Afghanistan?

Answer 25

- Protection and promotion of human rights - Women's access to justice - Democratic processes - Socio-economic development

Question 26

How did the Afghan government protect and promote human rights?

Answer 26

- Before the Taliban, protection and promotion of human rights was contributed to from the established **Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission**. - The *Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission* worked closely with the UN, within UNAMA, in efforts to implement the '**Elimination of Violence Against Women Law**'. - It has ratified treaties including *CEDAW* (Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women), requiring gender equality in access to education, healthcare and political participation.

Question 27

Currently, what is a counterpoint to the effectiveness of Afghanistan's governance of human rights?

Answer 27

- Trump withdrawing Afghanistan Aid has amplified the problem post Taliban takeover - so this shows an over reliance on foreign intervention. - Even with multiple NGOs and UN governances, the take over of the Taliban has undermined these effects.

Question 28

How did the Afghan government try to improve Women's access to justice?

Answer 28

- The OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) reported positive engagement with the Afghan government to comply with international standards, promote accountability and rule of law. - For example, there have been efforts to address violence against women and girls, to recruit more female prosecutors and judges. - HOWEVER, there has been limited progress in female political participation: **27% of seats in 2019** were held by women, averaging **2 per province**, this has since fallen with the collapse of government.

Question 29

How did the Afghan government try to improve socio-economic development?

Answer 29

- Afghanistan had a membership with the Economic Co-operation Organization and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. These allowed free trade and promoted economic growth. - In addition, the Afghan Government was working in partnership with the EU and UNCTAD to improve trade and development.

Question 30

How did the Afghan government try to improve co-operation with international organizations?

Answer 30

- Government ministries co-operated with international organizations. - The Afghan government had ministries including: Education, Women's affairs, Economy, Rural Rehabilitation and Development. - These ministries aimed to promote and protect human rights - working in *partnership with the UN Agencies, NATO and NGOs* to strengthen and develop their capacity

Question 31

What are limitations to efforts from the Afghan Government to promote human rights?

Answer 31

- In terms of political participation, there is still major inequality in gender. In 2019, there was evidence of limited progress as only **27% of parliamentary seats were held by females** - averaging **2 per province**. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, this has been virtually erased. - Despite laws supporting Duties and Structures of the Independent Elections Commission, in practice there has been significant disruption to democratic processes, so this addressing of political intimidation and threat has not been overly minimized. - DESPITE THIS, the Taliban government following the collapse of the previous Afghan Government does highlight efforts, as the Taliban have adopted a disregarded attitude towards HR conflicts.

Question 32

What does/did Afghanaid do?

Answer 32

- Afghanaid acted as an NGO working in Afghanistan, operating in most provinces with a focus on the most poorest and remote communities. - Afghanaid's aim was for long-term development based on resolving human rights issues such as food insecurity, women's rights, economic livelihoods and access to basic infrastructure.