KABUL - The Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of the Constitution (ICOIC) Wednesday said that a number of government institutions have challenged the implementation of constitutional terms at least twenty times over the past ten years.
“Either there has been a low capacity, ability or talent. In these cases, many Articles of the Constitution were challenged,” said Mohammad Qasim Hashemzai, head of the commission.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hekmat Khalil Karzai said the people must be empowered with the knowledge of the values and status of the law in society.
“Rule of law cannot be ensured with its ratification; public awareness should be raised in order to boost rule of law,” Karzai said.
Karzai made the remarks during a special ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of the Afghan constitution.
In addition, some Afghan legislators in parliament said that the three branches of the government have all violated the constitution on occasion.
“What will those who have low awareness and literacy will do if we as legislators pay less respect to Afghanistan’s Constitution?” said Rahima Jami, an MP.
“Unfortunately law is violated in the three pillars. We confess this and we cannot deny it,” said Muhayuddin Munsif, a senator.
Afghanistan’s constitution was approved by more than 500 delegates representing Afghan men and women across the nation at the Constitutional Loya Jirga on December 13 2003.
The constitution was later formally ratified by former Afghan president Hamid Karzai at a ceremony in Kabul on January 26 2004. (Tolonews)