The Afghanistan Watch is an independent, non-governmental and non-political organization registered with the Ministry of National Economy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. It envisions a democratic, peaceful, tolerant and just society in which all citizens have equal opportunities to realize their human potentials.

Its mission is to undertake activities that will promote peace, justice, and a culture of mutual tolerance and respect for human rights in Afghanistan.

As its core values the organization is strongly committed to democracy, justice, human rights, sustainable and balanced social and economic development of the country and impartiality, independence and professionalism as guiding principles of its activities.

Statute of the Afghanistan Watch

A. VISION

1. The Afghanistan Watch envisions a democratic, peaceful, tolerant and fair society in which all citizens have equal opportunities to realize their human potentials.

B. MISSION

2. In pursuit of this vision, the AFGHANISTAN WATCH’s mission is to undertake activities that will promote peace, justice, and a culture of mutual tolerance and respect for human rights.

C. CORE VALUES

3. The AFGHANISTAN WATCH is strongly committed to democracy, justice, human rights, sustainable and balanced social and economic development of the country and impartiality, independence and professionalism as guiding principles of its activities

4. Promotion and protection of human rights shall be at the centre of all activities of the organization. In order to realize its goals and objectives, the AFGHANISTAN WATCH aims to partner with national and international civil society organizations, governmental and intergovernmental organizations that share its stated vision, mission and core values.

The AFGHANISTAN WATCH seeks to research and report on important policies and processes that directly or indirectly affect the wellbeing and future of the people of Afghanistan in an impartial and unbiased manner.  Based on the findings of its research, the organization shall undertake public and private advocacy activities to encourage government and other concerning authorities to take necessary measures to address the shortcomings and flaws and contribute towards development of a democratic, just and prosperous society. The organization seeks to promote a culture of peace, rule of law and accountability through researching and documenting human rights abuses and atrocities committed during the years of war and conflict in the country.

G. ORGANIZATION & STRUCTURE

5. The AFGHANISTAN WATCH is established as an independent and non-political and non-governmental civil society organization registered with Ministry of National Economy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan [no]. .

6. The organizational structure of the AFGHANISTAN WATCH is established in order to promote and implement the core values, the vision and mission of the organization. The organizational structure of the organization shall be established, expanded and modified at the national, regional and provincial levels as the needs arises.

7. The AFGHANISTAN WATCH is an organization based on voluntary membership and shall consist of implementing and support departments. It can participate and partner with national and international networks and coalitions for the promotion of shared values and goals.

8. The purpose of the organizational structure is to coordinate sustained programs and activities of the AFGHANISTAN WATCH and consolidate its national or regional organization. It shall include an Advisory Board and an Executive Committee.

9. The Advisory Board shall be composed of three to five experts committed to the core values and missions of the AFGHANISTAN WATCH. It shall elect one of its members as its President for a period of two years.

10. The Advisory Board shall provide advice and guidance for the development of the policies of the AFGHANISTAN WATCH. Its key responsibilities include:

               I.      Approval and amendment of this statute and other key documents of the organization

             II.      Receiving and commenting on quarterly reports on activities from the Managing Director with a view to assess AFGHANISTAN WATCH’S performance against its agreed strategies and plans

             III.      When possible, assisting the Managing Director in raising funds and liaising with donors and international partner

             IV.      When possible, advising and assisting the organization in improving its operational capacity through short-term and long-term training programs.

          V.      11. The Executive Committee shall be composed of three to five members Director, Deputy Director and Head of Departments. The Managing Director shall be proposed by the Executive Committee and approved by the Advisory Board for a period of two years.

12. The day-to-day affairs of AFGHANISTAN WATCH shall be conducted by the Executive Committee headed by a Managing Director.

13. The primary role of the Executive Committee is to provide leadership and stewardship for the whole of AFGHANISTAN WATCH countrywide. The main functions of the Executive Committee are:

               I.      to take executive decisions on behalf of AFGHANISTAN WATCH and to develop and implement the main strategies and policies for the organisation

             II.       to ensure that there is a sound financial policy for AFGHANISTAN WATCH and that the financial policy is consistently implemented across organization.

            III.      to ensure effective and transparent human resource policy and facilitate professional development of its staff as far as possible,

         IV.      to hold departments and provincial offices of AFGHANISTAN WATCH accountable for their responsibilities by requiring them to present monthly reports to the Executive Committee.

           V.      to perform other functions conferred on it by the Statute.

14. The main office of the AFGHANISTAN WATCH shall be in Kabul and other representative offices in the provinces can be established as recommended by the Executive Committee and approved by the Advisory Board.

H. DEPARTMENTS

15. The Departments are the main executive and specialized units of the AFGHANISTAN WATCH. It includes three departments of Research, Advocacy and Administration/Finance.

16. Departments shall take no action on matters that do not fall within the stated vision and mission of the AFGHANISTAN WATCH. The departments shall act in accordance with the core values and methods of AFGHANISTAN WATCH, working rules and guidelines that are adopted from time to time by the Advisory Board and Executive Committee.

 I. FINANCE

17. An auditor appointed by the Executive Committee shall annually audit the accounts of AFGHANISTAN WATCH, which shall be prepared by the Executive Committee and presented to the Advisory Board.

18. No part of the income or property of AFGHANISTAN WATCH shall directly or indirectly be paid or transferred otherwise than for valuable and sufficient consideration to any of its members by way of dividend, gift, division, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit.

J. AMENDMENTS OF THE STATUTE

19. The Statute may be amended by the Advisory Board and the Executive Committee by a majority of not less than two thirds of the votes cast.

20. This Statute was finalized and approved in eight sections and 20 articles jointly by the Executive Committee and the Advisory Board in September 2008 in Kabul.

Based in Kabul, the Afghanistan Watch focuses on activities that promote justice, respect for human rights and a culture of accountability and transparency in the country. Recognizing the need for greater understanding of the perils and opportunities facing Afghanistan today, the organization aims to conduct in-depth research and publish reports and papers on issues relevant to its goals and values independently or in partnership with other national and international organizations.

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International Relations and Security Network(ISN) / Security Watch
14 December 2009

Middle East Institute Viewpoints: Afghanistan, 1979-2009: In the Grip of Conflict • www.mei.edu
By: Abdul Jalil Benish, director of Afghanistan Watch

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Niamatullah Ibrahimi, Co-Founder of Afghanistan Watch writes on The Relevance of the ICC in the Context of Afghanistan in the ICC Monitor, the Journal of the Coalition of the International Criminal Court

The relevance of the ICC has been keenly felt in Afghanistan since 2001. During this period, human rights violations have continued unabated, a culture of impunity and lack of accountability has been further entrenched, and the Afghan state has displayed a chronic lack of commitment to hold accountable those responsible for heinous crimes and massive human rights abuses.
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