The civil movement launched by civil society activists in Western Kabul seems to be continued without effective result. Two weeks have past from their sit-it in “Joint Call Camp”, however, their voice falls on deaf ears. The movement was launched after the tragic murder of 21 Afghan soldiers in Ghaziabad area of Kunar province last month. The activists raised their voice against terrorism calling the government to take a serious strategy for combating Taliban militants. Moreover, they criticized President Karzai for not attending the funeral ceremony of the soldiers.
The protesters have a series of civil demands to be met by Afghan government. They ask Karzai’s government to call the Taliban militants, who cause heavy police and civilian casualties, “enemy” not “brother.” The activists state rationally that it is critical for Afghan soldiers to know that whether they are in battle against their opponents or their brothers! If Taliban insurgents are Afghans’ brothers, then why do they kill the innocent Afghans, including women and children, mercilessly? According to Zahra Sepehr, who leads the sit-in, if the soldiers be told that the other side of the war are their brothers, then they will certainly fall in moral dilemma and lose their morale.
It is beyond doubt that the Taliban’s dictatorial regime which lasted for five years in Afghanistan will never be erased from the minds of Afghan nations. They led a reign of terror, tortured and shed the blood of innocent Afghans without an ounce of humanity or conscience. Their tyranny and barbarity will fill one with great fear and fright. Hassani, a member of Taliban during their regime, shared his experience how he tortured people as, “Basically any form of pleasure was outlawed and if we found people doing any of these things we would beat them with staves soaked in water – like a knife cutting through meat – until the room ran with their blood or their spines snapped. Then we would leave them with no food or water in rooms filled with insects until they died.”
Hassani further said, “Maybe the worst thing I saw was a man beaten so much, such a pulp of skin and blood, that it was impossible to tell whether he had clothes on or not. Every time he fell unconscious, we rubbed salt into his wounds to make him scream.” Hence, considering such inhuman and non-Islamic actions how is it possible to call them brother?
In addition, Afghan police and civilians and foreign forces still lose their lives in acts of terror carried out by Taliban militants. The death of 21 Afghan soldiers was one of the most tragic incidents which has ever happened. So, it is our political officials to take a serious reaction and effective strategy so as to prevent from further casualties.
The second demand of the civil society activists is the abolition of High Peace Council (HPC) which was established in 2010 and tasked with contacting the Taliban and convincing them to join the peace process. The question that what are the tangible outcomes of this Council remains unanswered. Hence, why to spend so much time and energy vainly? The current government should confess its failure and wrong strategies in bringing peace and end High Peace Council.
Thirdly, the activists demand the timely supply of the logistical and weaponry needs of Afghan forces, particularly the first aid needs for the injured soldiers on the battle ground. Of course, the urgent needs must be met immediately.
Their fourth demand is the timely payment to Afghan forces for their peace of mind. Moreover, they ask the government to provide civil and economic supports to the martyrs and victims’ families such as residential estates, job opportunities for the survivors, constant financial support to the martyrs’ families who have lost their heads, establishing educational institutions for their children and etc. When the heads of families lose their lives in the battle, then it is the responsibility of the government to take care of their family members so that the orphans and widows do not beg on the streets in humiliating way.
The fifth demand to be met is that the presidential candidates should clear their positions regarding the Taliban and their strategy on dealing with the families of those martyred and other victims of terrorism. The candidates are not supposed to adopt two-sided behaviors. They have to explain their future agenda honestly and transparently and their ideas must not be changed after winning the upcoming election.
This movement, launched by civil society activists, is a protest against injustice which is going on in our society. They criticize the amnesty given to Taliban prisoners who have hands in murderous acts of terror. The protesters also call the Karzai’s government to end holding negotiation with Afghans’ enemies namely Taliban insurgents.
Unfortunately, nowadays the voice of justice is hardly heard or falls on deaf ears. In a corrupt government, whoever calls for their rights or the rights of their nation will remain alone and the political leaders will turn their backs on them. Of course, the rights of our people’s are trampled upon and they fell victim to terrorism and insurgency without anyone to care for. In other words, our society seriously lacks moral standards and religious values.
In a society which is faced with moral decline, it is a matter of great pride to have a group of people who raise their voice in support of their nations’ rights. Considering this movement, we are proud to have selfless men and women who spend the cold nights of winter in the camp so as to alleviate the pain of victims’ families and to ask for the rights of their nations.
At the end, I would like to ask Afghan officials, especially the President not to ignore such civil movements. As leaders, they have to hear the voice of nation and fulfill their reasonable demands.