Charting a Course for a Sustainable Peace;

This paper looks at transitional justice and reconciliation in Afghanistan. They main objective is to link debates concerning TJ and reconciliation as a vehicle to transform the conflict ridden society of Afghanistan to a secure, stable, democratic and progressive society. It aims to show despite fundamental interconnectedness the two processes are often perceived by the political elites to be undermining one another.
This paper is divided into three parts. The first part looks at the TJ process and the challenges ahead of it. The second provides a brief overview of conciliatory initiatives in Afghanistan and shows how short-term political undertakings to stabilize the country have failed. The third and final part discusses the fragility of peace without justice.
It concludes that the prevailing culture of impunity combined with a failure to address past abuses and injustices threatens state-building, the rule of law, and the ability to foster a durable peace and a democratic government in Afghanistan.
The central argument of this paper is that justice and reconciliation are the two sides of the same coin and can only be achieved if pursued together as key elements of stabilization of the country after three decades of violence and instability. It thus stressed the need for connecting the processes and debates on transitional justice and reconciliation in the country.

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What is transitional justice?

ICTJ recently has published a number of fact sheets/brochures on some core principles of transitional justice and also some examples in transition countries. Afghanistan Watch contextualised and translated them for Afghan audiences. They look very useful for the Afghan people and TJ activists.

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A Report on Afghanistan Obligations under International Criminal Court (ICC)

“Afghanistan Watch” has newly started its activities as the Afghan member of the Coalition for International Criminal Court (CICC). The first activity of Afghanistan Watch was organizing a consultative meeting titled as “Obligations of Afghanistan under ICC” which was held on October 24, 2009 in Roby Hall of the City Center/ Kabul, Afghanistan. The meeting was attended by representatives of Afghanistan justice and judicial sectors, civil society organizations, legal experts and representatives of international human rights organizations.

A full report is available here at:
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Between Impunity And Accountability

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Transitional justice in Afghanistan; end or new beginning?

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Only shedding tears is not enough

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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

Impunity in Afghanistan is like an unwritten law which benefits the wealthiest and most powerful criminals.Read More

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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