DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES: U.S. COMMITTED TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 KABUL 002978 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR JWOOD OSD FOR MCGRAW CG CJTF-101, POLAD, JICCENT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO AFIN SUBJECT: DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES: U.S. COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AFGHAN HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY REF: A. KABUL 310 ¶B. KABUL 2562 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: In October 15-16 meetings with visiting DRL DAS Erica Barks-Ruggles, representatives from media outlets, Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA),Parliament, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC),Equal Access, Afghan Landmine Survivors' Organization (ALSO),and The Asia Foundation (TAF) discussed the challenges of human rights work in Afghanistan. DAS Barks-Ruggles led discussions focused on how the U.S. could most effectively partner with Afghan institutions in advancing human rights. Afghan journalists emphasized that media has come a long way in the last seven years, but journalists continue to face pressure from the government, anti-government actors, and have difficulty reporting in insecure areas. Minister of Women's Affairs Ghazanfar discussed MOWA's difficulties partnering with other ministries in implementing programs benefiting women. Women parliamentarians cited security concerns but expressed determination to continue their work. AIHRC staff gave an overview of human rights trends including increased sexual abuse and violence, but mentioned several positive developments including the new trafficking in persons law. Equal Access, ALSO, and TAF staff gave an overview of their programs focused on human rights and Islam, advocacy for disabled people, and capacity building in Afghan government offices, respectively. Afghan Media: Expanding, Under Pressure -------------- ¶2. (SBU) DAS Barks-Ruggles asked a group of Afghan journalists to discuss the status of free media in Afghanistan and the challenges they face. Parwiz Shamal from Tolo TV said the situation for media has improved over the last seven years and is generally comparable to the situation in neighboring countries. Mustafa Basharat from Pahjwok Afghan News noted Afghan media had developed over the past seven years from almost nothing to 11-12 television stations, 35 radio stations, and 400-500 newspapers. Limitations on media freedoms stem from media self-censorship and government pressure, Arif Frahmand from Hash-e-Sobh newspaper said. Frahmand and several other journalists, including Radio Asadi's Freeba Zahir, reported that many Afghan government officials or political parties use media outlets as voice boxes for their propaganda, estimating that half of all Afghan media outlets are propaganda machines for other countries or Afghan politicians or political parties. Khwaja Basir from Wakht News Agency said he noted decreasing government support of free media, and that journalists faced pressure from both government actors and the Taliban. He said in the past year 400 cases of threats against journalist were reported. Finally, Pahjwok's Basharat and several others said journalists' lack of access to insecure areas significantly hinders reporting in many areas of the country. ¶3. (U) DAS Barks-Ruggles told the journalists that they are doing a tough job, and that the U.S. is committed to supporting free media in Afghanistan, as a strong independent media is essential to Afghanistan's nascent democracy. DAS Barks-Ruggles then answered questions from the journalists on the record on such subjects as human rights, civilian casualties, and elections. She noted while the U.S. is proud of our efforts to help protect human rights in Afghanistan, we know that significant human rights issues remain. She emphasized that the U.S. deeply regrets any civilian casualties, and that U.S. is doing everything possible to minimize civilian casualties. She also highlighted the USG's commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and secure Afghan elections. Hasht-e-Sobh newspaper and Radio Asadi reported positively on DAS Barks-Ruggles' comments, characterizing her remarks as expressing support for human rights and the Afghan electoral process. ¶4. (SBU) In a separate meeting Moby Media Group Director Zaid Mohseni told DAS Barks-Ruggles that Moby Group's Tolo T.V. and its affiliated stations face more interference from the government than from the Taliban. The Taliban do not have a problem with Tolo, he said, in part because Tolo airs in an indirect manner, such as paraphrasing, content from Taliban sources. He said the Taliban are increasingly media savvy and have business cards, web sites, and press releases. They always are available to discuss their view, as contrasted to GoIRA officials who many times do not respond to media inquiries. Tolo T.V. developed and airs several public KABUL 00002978 002 OF 005 service announcement-type commercials including several warning about the dangers of IEDs and buried munitions, one encouraging service in the Afghan National Army, and one with an anti-suicide bomber message. Mohseni said Moby Media Group's Arman Radio carried a lot of information about the recently started voter registration process, and that in several provinces 50% of voters surveyed said they heard about voter registration through Arman. Lemar, Moby's Pashto-language television station, is the most popular station in the Pashtun tribal areas in Pakistan, although it is frequently banned by Pakistani authorities, Mohseni said. MOWA: Focused but Under-Resourced -------------- ¶5. (SBU) MOWA Minister Dr. H.B. Ghazanfar told DAS Barks-Ruggles that the situation for girls and women in Afghanistan has improved over the last seven years, noting that women make up twenty-eight percent of the Parliament, hold high ranking positions at universities, and approximately 300 women now own their own companies. That said, Afghan women still face many challenges such as poverty, illiteracy and violence. Many girls still do not attend school, and many are forced into early marriage. Some are treated like animals and are bartered in tribal agreements. Even in the most "liberal" and educated families, women are not treated as equals to men, she said. MOWA's work in Kabul revolves around initiating implementation of the ten year National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA). In addition, MOWA counselors in Kabul and in the provincial Department of Women's Affairs (DOWA) offices daily see hundreds of women seeking help resolving legal, economic, educational, and health problems. If the issue is not one MOWA can solve, MOWA refers the woman to another service provider or organization that can address the situation, including many NGOs and UN offices. She noted MOWA faces staff and budget shortfalls. The majority of problems facing women occur in rural areas, and MOWA does not have the resources to do more than occasionally visit these areas and express support to the women living there. Furthermore, MOWA's work in the provinces is extremely dependent on security conditions. In Oruzgan, Khost, and Paktika, the DOWA offices are not able to be very active due to ongoing security concerns. She said generally good security in the provincial centers of Herat, Balkh, and Jowzjan allows for many programs to be conducted in those provinces. ¶6. (SBU) DAS Barks-Ruggles asked what kind of cooperation MOWA received from other government ministries including the police. Ghazanfar said some ministries are more cooperative than others, citing MOWA's coordination with the Ministry of Education as particularly positive. She said that cooperation from the Ministry of the Interior, up until the recent past had been very good as well, noting that dozens of women had trained to be police officers and coordination between MOWA, police, and women's shelters had improved. MOI changed its policy, however, and is no longer providing security to the provincial DOWA offices. Cooperation between MOWA and other ministries frequently stalls as other ministries claim they do not have the budget to implement "women's" projects. Ghazanfar's deputy said MOWA is lobbying to have a MOWA technical advisor work inside each ministry during the budget drafting process to ensure that funds are included for women's programs. DAS Barks-Ruggles said that it is important that women be represented in other ministries and that women's issues are mainstreamed and not just handled by MOWA. Ghazanfar agreed that one cabinet position and one ministry are insufficient to represent 12 million Afghan females. Sometimes it is difficult for her to advocate during cabinet meetings as it is apparent that women's issues are not a priority for other ministries and she is the only woman in the Cabinet. Her deputy noted that MOWA is working with the civil service commission towards a goal of having ministries' staff be 30 percent women by 2010. DAS Barks-Ruggles expressed admiration for the extremely difficult work MOWA does on a daily basis and emphasized that the U.S. is committed to working with MOWA to advance women's rights in Afghanistan. Female MPs: Facing Insecurity, Lacking Advocacy Skills, But Determined -------------- KABUL 00002978 003 OF 005 ¶7. (SBU) DAS Barks-Ruggles met with four female members of the Wolesi Jirga (the National Assembly's Lower House): Fatima Aziz from Kunduz, Saltanat Kohi and Fawzia Raufi from Faryab, and Nasima Niazi from Helmand. DAS Barks-Ruggles asked what challenges they faced as women parliamentarians. Kohi said women MPs do not often advocate forcefully with their male MPs or with other government officials, and that the Parliament Women's Affairs Committee is weak. Raufi said that the women present were members of a group of about 12 female MPs from different backgrounds, all of whom are independent and not belonging to any political grouping. The members meet and discuss issues, and when there is a vote they ask for and respect each other's opinions, trying where possible to coordinate their votes. DAS Barks-Ruggles expressed concern about the morality bill recently drafted by a Wolesi Jirga committee (reftel),and asked for the women's opinions about the bill. Niazi said all the female MPs were strongly opposed to the law and had told the male MPs that they would not accept it and would not vote for it. ¶8. (SBU) Raufi said female MPs faced many security concerns and expected that these concerns would increase during the Afghan elections. Niazi said because of poor security in Helmand, she cannot travel alone and that if she travels with a security detail she is also a target. Aziz said during the 2005 parliamentary election she campaigned door-to-door, but this local level of campaigning would be impossible for the 2010 elections because of poor security. All expressed concern for their personal safety and for that of their families. Niazi noted that her children have been pulled out of school and complained that they are not allowed to play outside as she and her family are afraid they will be kidnapped or killed by the Taliban. DAS Barks-Ruggles told the MPs that the U.S. takes these concerns very seriously and is committed to supporting women's participation in the 2009-2010 elections. It is important that other Afghan women see the female MPs out campaigning and meeting with constituents. DAS Bark s-Ruggles asked how the international community could improve security for women participating in the elections. Niazi suggested that the U.S. publicly support Afghan women's participation in the government. Bark-Ruggles reiterated that the U.S. strongly supports Afghan women registering to vote, voting, running for election, and serving in elected office. ¶9. (SBU) Niazi told DAS Barks-Ruggles, "I will give you the assurance that we will not quit our jobs halfway through. We have to wear burqas to go into certain areas, but as soon as we are in a safe place, we tear them off and talk to the Afghan people we represent." She reiterated that the Afghan female MPs need U.S. support. Kohi said that women in high-level federal positions in Afghan government benefit from training programs offered by the international community and urged that these programs continue. She noted, however, that women in the provinces could also benefit from international support including capacity-building training. DAS Barks-Ruggles mentioned the U.S. is trying to expand programs that work with the informal justice sector in rural areas, educating both men and women on their rights and obligations. AIHRC: Accomplishments and Concerns -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Nader Naderi Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) spokesperson thanked DAS Barks-Ruggles for her public comments emphasizing the importance of human rights in Afghanistan. Naderi said Afghanistan had some significant human rights achievements, citing the new law on countering human trafficking and introducing a draft law to protect juvenile offenders as positive steps taken by Parliament. Furthermore, four hundred lawyers have registered in the newly established bar association, and the commission on senior appointments reviewed 20 senior level government nominees in its first month. This commission checks candidate backgrounds against several sources including the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG), National Directorate of Security (NDS),the courts, and AIHRC before clearing the candidate for appointment. ¶11. (SBU) Naderi summarized human rights concerns as follows: killings and other atrocities by anti-government forces continue and are rarely covered in the media, while government forces continue to act with impunity and KABUL 00002978 004 OF 005 corruption remains a serious problem threatening Afghanstan's insitutions. AIHRC will soon release a report covering civilian casualties by government and anti-government forces. The latter is not often reported and more needs to be done to expose the toll anti-government forced have taken on the population. Fifty percent of girls' schools in Helmand, Paktika, Zabul, and Oruzgan provinces are not operating due to security concerns, and insurgents killed hundreds of teachers and students during the past year. Government arbitrary detention of people without charges is still a major concern. NDS operated some detention facilities and NDS officials frequently make excuses in order to prevent AIHRC monitoring visits. He said violence against women and child sexual abuse are widespread problems, stating that AIHRC received reports of 36 cases of child sexual abuse in the last six months. Farid Hamidi, AIHRC Commissioner for the Investigations Unit said President Karzai has 83 death sentences pending for his confirmation. AIHRC has serious concerns about these death sentences due to the high level of corruption in the Afghan judicial system and many instances of trials that are not fair and independent. The continued imprisonment of Pervez Kambakhsh (reftel) is another area of concern, Naderi said. ¶12. (SBU) DAS Barks-Ruggles asked how the US could support the mission of the AIHRC. Naderi asked that the U.S. support a mechanism to vet political candidates in Afghanistan's 2009 elections for past human rights abuses. DAS Barks-Ruggles suggested that a positive policy could be that if a person failed vetting for a senior position done by the senior appointment panel, then the person would not be eligible to run for office. Public statements by U.S. officials against increasing impunity in Afghanistan are very helpful, as are similar statements during bilateral meetings, Naderi noted. In reference to the Kambakhsh case, Naderi urged the U.S. to continue to raise the case during bilateral meetings with Afghan officials, but to avoid public statements. He also recommended releasing any U.S. reports on the results of civilian casualty investigations in Dari and Pashto. Finally, he asked that human rights training be emphasized during U.S.-supported police training. Equal Access: Human Rights and Islam -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Equal Access staff briefed DAS Barks-Ruggles on several Equal Access programs including the DRL-funded Aspire program which works with religious leaders and members of civil society in hosting roundtable discussions emphasizing similarities between human rights principles and Islam. Aspire project manager Abdul Samad Seraj discussed the recent roundtable in Jalalabad, reporting that the participants had a very positive discussion focused on women's rights and Islam. Dave Larson, Equal Access Senior Program Manager, noted follow up surveys indicated that participants were spreading the message of the compatibility between human rights and Islam. Seraj said one Jalalabad mullah and roundtable participant that initially strongly opposed the idea of any link between Islam and human rights became a strong advocate for human rights and now has a weekly television show promoting human rights. DAS Barks-Ruggles asked if security concerns affected Equal Access' work in the provinces. Larson said that security is getting worse, reporting that it is now necessary to confirm security conditions with private and government security companies and that more illegal checkpoints were appearing. Equal Access staff often must take different, longer routes because the direct route roads are closed. Some districts in Kapisa where they used to work are no longer accessible due to poor security concerns. ALSO: First Afghan Peer-to-Peer Support Organization -------------- -------------- ¶14. (SBU) DAS Barks-Ruggles met with founders and staff of the Afghan Landmine Survivors' Organization (ALSO) a year-old Afghan NGO that provides peer support to disabled people and advocates for a ban on landmines. ALSO co-founder Sadiq Mohibi told DAS Barks-Ruggles that disabled people in Afghanistan face enormous obstacles, for example, only 1% of government buildings are handicapped accessible. The Wolesi Jirga recently approved a bill giving some additional government benefits to disabled people. ALSO lobbied extensively for the bill by meeting with individual parliamentarians and parliamentary committees, and by holding KABUL 00002978 005 OF 005 awareness-raising workshops about the challenges faced by disabled Afghans. The bill is currently under debate in the upper house. ALSO peer counselors coordinate with Kabul authorities to meet disabled people at the hospital or home and offer support for their reintegration into society. ALSO peer trainers assisted 205 disabled people in the last six months, reported Mohibi. ALSO lobbies the Ministry of Public Health for additional services for all disabled people, but with a focus on women and children. DAS Barks-Ruggles told the ALSO staff she was impressed by their perseverance, that getting started was always the hardest part and she congratulated ALSO on that accomplishment. TAF: Capacity Building with GoIRA Ministries -------------- ¶15. (U) The Asia Foundation (TAF) staff briefed DAS Barks-Ruggles on several programs including work with the Office of the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (OSMPA),the Independent Directorate for Local Governance (IDLG),and MOWA. The work with the OSMPA focused on training and orientation of staff and preparation of a manual explaining parliamentary procedure. The work with IDLG focused on supporting policy and institutional development. The work with MOWA included facilitating the creation of standardized procedures for the DOWA offices and supporting MOWA senior management capacity and leadership development. ¶16. (U) DAS Erica Barks-Ruggles cleared on this message. WOOD