Afghanistan

• Where is Afghanistan located?

  Afghanistan is a landlocked, largely mountainous country in Southwest Asia
• Why is Afghanistan poorly developed?

  Development has been held back by a long period of political instability.
• Who are the Taliban?


  Fundamentalist government; but not recognised as a legitimate government. Was overthrown in 2001 but have slowly resurged.
• What has the resurgence of the Taliban led to?

  Further decline in respect for human rights. For example: increased casualties among Afghan security forces and civilians, domestic violence towards women and disruption of the 2014 Presidential election.
• What does UNAMA stand for?

  The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
• When was the UNAMA established and what was it’s goal?

  2002 by the Security Council in order to help achieve sustainable peace and development.
• Who are the UNAMA mission and the UN High Commissioner for HR interacting with and why?

  Afghan government and NGO’s to strengthen the work of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission
• Who has the Afghan government joined with to promote economic growth?

  the Economic Cooperation Organisation and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperarion
• What are some laws the Afghan government passed?

  laws such as the Law on the Duties and Structures of the Independent Elections commission to help improve the democratic process, and the Elimination of Violence Against Women of 2009.
• What is Afghan Aid (NGO) involved in?

  sustainable rural development strategies
• Who does Afghan Aid coordinate their work with?

  The UN and the Afghan government
• Who are the three key players in Afghanistans global governance?

  . The UN

  . Afghan Aid (NGO)

  . Afghanistan government
• What is an example of a rural community global governance has helped improve their human rights?

  Ghor in the Chaghcharan district
• Who were the key global governance players in Ghor?


  Afghan Aid, Afghan government, local communities and funding from the EU
• What were the consequences of global governance of human rights in Ghor?

  . Economic, social and political rights are promoted by local groups brought together to design, implement and realise their own projects

  . Local people have greater freedom

  . Women are more integrated in society

  . Local democratic practices have been strengthened by the election of community groups
• What were the previous issues in Ghor?

  Conflict, insecurity and poverty. Basic human rights have been neglected
• What an example of an urban area in Afghanistan which experienced the consequences of global governance of human rights?

  Kabul
• What players in Kabul are helping to upgrade neighbourhoods in Kabul?

  UN habitat is working to co-ordinate the Afghan government, local governments, community councils and funding from the Japanese government to help
• In Kabul, what has influenced the deprivation of local communities from many services?

  The denial of basic human rights plus rapid urban growth
• What is the basis of these projects taking place in Kabul?

  Elections of Community Development Councils
• What are the positives of the CDC’s in Kabul?

  . Their submitted plans reflect the specific needs of the area. These plans include upgrading of housing, infrastructure, electricity, sanitation, schools and healthcare

  . improved engagement of women in the projects

  . employment opportunities

  . security of land tenure for informal settlements

  . improved roads and drainage

  . greater provision of shops
• What are the consequences for global governance of human rights for local communities?

  . By 2014: nearly 6 million children were attending school and nearly 40% of these were girls

  . Access to primary healthcare had increased to over 50% of the population

  . MMR has halved since 2001

  . Average life expectancy increased
• What are the aims of the UN?

  • promote respect for international humanitarian and human rights laws
  • co-ordinate the efforts of all organisations and communities to ensure protection
  • promote accountability
  • implement the freedoms and human rights provisions in the Afghan constitution and the treaties to which it is party
  • achieve full enjoyment of their rights, for women, displaced persons and returning refugees (an estimated 750,000 are displaced).