AFGHAN CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE ENDORSED RESOLUTION 28/1/08

The Afghan CIvily Society conference (held in Kabul the 27-28 January) approves the document and improves the final draft with its own concerns

Lunedi' 28 Gennaio 2008

RESOLUTION ENDORSED BY THE AFGHAN
AND ITALIAN CIVIL SOCIETY

Kabul, January 2008 28th 2008

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD:


1. Strengthen the United Nations, NGOs and Afghan civil society role and involvement in cooperation, reconstruction and national reconciliation in Afghanistan
2. Avoid civilian casualties and compensate the victims in line with International Human Rights standards and
3. Support the revision of UNAMA mandate in close collaboration with the Afghan Government. Facilitate the end of Enduring Freedom operations and support the change of ISAF troops into a new formula with a specific UN role and with a mandate which actively guarantees civilians’ protection. The UN Peace building Commission should define modalities and timing of this process
4. Strengthen Italian presence in the European Union support to the international police mission in building Afghan National Police capacities and increase its quantity
5. The Provincial Reconstruction Team system should be revised. The role of military forces should be clearly separated from the civilian cooperation and reconstruction.
6. Strengthen the role of Afghan Army at National level, in terms of quality and quantity.
7. Strengthen the participation of the Afghan population, civil society organizations in the peace building process that should consider a soft diplomatic approach and negotiations with all the parties.
8. Special attention should be paid to the rights and needs of the vulnerable and marginalized groups and include them in the Peace Process
9. Strengthen and reinstitute the role of traditional actors such as Jirga, Ulema, Malik and religious leaders in the Peace Building, Political process and negotiations with involved parties.
10. The process should lead towards an International Peace Conference to be held within 2008 with the participation of all the relevant actors
11. Initiate and establish a regional forum made of civil society organizations to monitor and implement the conference recommendations
12. Support and assess the recommendations of the Joint Peace Jirga and call upon the international community to support the Peace process with all the opposition parties.
13. Change approach to the reform of the justice system, taking into more consideration human rights issues, administration of the whole system and standardize curricula and trainings addressed to judges. With the involvement of the population, putting in place a serious investigation of human rights violations during, before and after the Taliban regime.
14. Strengthen the role of women in the civil society taking into consideration their approach and instances; support the already existing networks and programs in favor of their rights and social awareness.
15. Support a consistent increase of funds dedicated to the international and local cooperation and reconstruction. For the time being the ratio between humanitarian and military expenses is 1:9. At least 50:50 should be gained in 2008.
16. Launch and implement comprehensive and urgent development programs especially in conflict and neglected rural areas where civil society organizations and LNGOs play a significant role.
17. Abolish trade barriers towards agriculture products of Afghanistan and provide practical alternative livelihood security to poppy producers and support local farmers
18. Focus and give priority to consistent rehabilitation programs such as communication and infrastructure at National level.
19. Major goal remains the access to basic human rights for the local population, or rather right to education, medical assistance, access to water and food security.