§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is being done to prevent violence against Pashtuns in Afghanistan. [56967]
§ Clare ShortThe Afghan Interim Administration (AIA) has established an independent commission to investigate reports of ethnically motivated violence. Following a visit to northern Afghanistan in February 2002, the commission made a number of recommendations for improving security in the area, which are currently being considered by the AIA. These include the creation of a collaborative mechanism for addressing complaints, made up of representatives of all ethnic groups in the north, including Pashtuns.
The UK is working with the Afghan Interim Administration, other donors and international agencies to strengthen the ability of the Afghan authorities to enforce the rule of law. An Afghan-led, internationally supported security sector reform programme is crucial to ensuring the capacity of the Afghan state both to deter further human rights abuses and to bring those responsible for human rights abuses to justice.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the rights of women in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement. [56966]
§ Clare ShortImportant progress has been made in restoring women's rights in Afghanistan. We welcome the involvement of women in the Afghan Interim Administration (AIA) and the Special Commission for the Convening of the Loya Jirga. Women have begun to return to work and girls are going back to school. But it is a slow process and more needs to be done. The UK is working closely with the AIA and the rest of the international community, to ensuring women's full and effective participation in civil, cultural, economic, political and social life throughout Afghanistan.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the extent of violence against Pashtuns in Afghanistan. [56968]
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§ Clare ShortThere have been a number of recent reports of abuses against Pashtuns, particularly in northern Afghanistan. These abuses include beatings, extortion, looting and sexual violence. Pashtuns are believed to have been targeted because of associations between their ethnic group and the Taliban regime.
In February 2002, the Afghan Interim Administration (AIA) authorised a high-level independent commission to investigate reports of ethnically motivated violence in Afghanistan. A three person team from the commission visited northern Afghanistan to meet with local people and commanders to investigate reports of abuses against Pashtuns. Based on their findings, the commission made a series of recommendations which the AIA are now considering. Human Rights Watch has also investigated reports of abuses against Pashtuns. Their report—which can be found on their website (http//www.hrw.org)—is the result of interviews and discussions with local people in Balkh, Faryab, Samangan and Baghlan provinces, representatives of the AIA and humanitarian workers.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many internally displaced people there are in Afghanistan; and what assistance is being provided to them. [56965]
§ Clare ShortIn January 2002, the United Nations estimated that there were approximately 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Afghanistan. Since then, approximately 160,000 IDPs have returned to their homes with assistance from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). A further 400,000 IDPs are estimated to have returned home spontaneously, without international assistance.
IDPs, as victims of conflict and the ongoing effects of the drought, are among the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan, and are targeted by UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance. It is a priority in 2002 for the Afghan Interim Administration and the international community to ensure reintegration of uprooted Afghans who wish to return home. Programmes coordinated by UNHCR and IOM are under way to physically transport returnees back to their places of origin, build the capacity of communities to absorb returning families, and integrate short-term programmes with longer-term strategies to ensure sustainable reintegration of returnees. Since September 2001. my Department has contributed £3 million to UNHCR and £3.6 million to IOM for their programmes in the region.