MAZAR-I-SHARIF - The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) in northern Balkh province says the people want honourable and durable peace in the country.
This was stated during the launch of a campaign to collect written viewpoints from around 200 civil society organisations, university teachers, women rights activists and students in northern Balkh province.
Jamshid Fardi, head of the Afghan Pohyal Foundation (APF) who launched the campaign, said the process of collecting written viewpoints regarding the peace process would be implemented in other parts of the country as well.
He said the presence and position of Afghans had not been clarified in peace process and some circles made themselves part of it, using an artificial public mandate.
Fardi continued the difference between their effort and peace conferences would be ascertaining the views of ulema, women rights activists, civil society and common people regarding the peace process in a written format.
He was happy about the emerging regional and international consensus on the Afghan peace process and hoped the efforts would be made to grab the opportunity.
He said the Taliban never listen to the demands of the people of Afghanistan during the peace process and hoped the group would ultimately reached to the conclusion to listen to Afghans.
AIHRC head Syed Mohammad Samai said every individual played a key role in war and peace. AIHRC policy was clear regarding the ongoing peace process, he added.
“We want durable, just peace in Afghanistan to ensure the preservation of everyone’s rights, guarantee protection of the achievement of the past 17 years and basic rights of the citizens,” he remarked.
He said the commission was not directly involved in the current peace parleys but it always supported such moves. The panel organised programmes regarding the negative impact of violence and importance of peace and stability to the public, he explained.
Women rights activist Farzana Rahimi complained the role of the people was marginal in the ongoing peace talks. She demanded a greater say for women in all peace-related events and conferences.
She asked President Ashraf Ghani to give women 30 percent representation in the Peace Jirga and a proactive role in direct talks with the Taliban. (Pajhwok)