Bulletin # 12

Written By University of Manchester LWOB Student Division

Discussion: The Afghanistan issue 

The current conflict in Afghanistan has entered its twentieth year, persistently causing huge numbers of civilian casualties, whilst capturing areas all over the country. Recently, they have seized control of the Afghan capital, Kabul. 

Here is a short explainer on what’s happened, the international response, and how you can help. 

 The Taliban, amongst other armed groups, deliberately target civilians and civilian objects in violation of international human rights; with the sites of attacks including several maternity hospitals, alongside educational institutions. 

Undeniably, as long as impunity persists, there is no responsibility for these crimes. Additionally, violence against women, girls and children persist. Restrictions upon women include studying, working, leaving their homes without a male chaperone, accessing healthcare and being involved in politics or public policy. 

Today, a devastating 18 million people in Afghanistan are in seek of humanitarian support. Asylum seekers continue to return to Afghanistan, some of whom have been attacked by Iranian security forces. 

The Afghan government has established a joint committee, in order to protect human rights defenders and civil society activists, whereby committees will work under the supervision of the second vice president Mohammad Sarwar Denmark, as well as the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.

According to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), more than 100 cases of murder were reported during the year. 

Shockingly, although these cases were reported, there was a persistent failure to investigate them.

WHAT ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS?

There have been harrowing reports of human rights abuses in Afghanistan by the parties to the conflict. These include:

  • Recruitment of child soldiers

  • Repression of the right to peaceful protest, with fears surrounding the lives of those who’ve worked to advance human rights and justice. 

  • Restrictions of women’s rights to move around freely

  • Girls rights to attend schools

  • Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and religious minorities are also at risk of violence and repression.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE 

Since January 2021, an estimated 270,000 have been forced to leave their homes. Shockingly, this means that over 3.5 million have been displaced, with numbers of those seeking refuge expected to rise. 

In response to this, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new settlement scheme, which would allow up to 20,000 Afghan vulnerable refugees to seek sanctuary in the UK over the coming years. The UK will be also be waving border rules, in order to allow asylum seekers to flee from the Taliban without passports.  Ultimately, human rights must be protected, regardless of who is in control of a territory. 

To take action, it is vital to educate and amplify the voices of Afghan activists and leaders!

Sign petitions - @RefugeeAction 

Charity Hotspot - Afghanaid

Afghanaid is a British humanitarian and development organisation. They have worked with millions of deprived and excluded families in some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan for over 40 years. They build basic services, improve livelihoods, strengthen the rights of women and children, help communities protect against natural disasters and adapt to climate change, and respond to humanitarian emergencies.

Since the start of 2021, over half a million people in Afghanistan have fled their homes as a result of conflict, settling in communities that were already at breaking point. Now, hundreds of thousands of families are stuck, with no home and no belongings, in dangerous situations somewhere across the country. Many are attempting to leave altogether. Many will not be able to. The situation at Kabul airport remains volatile and dangerous, with families camped out waiting to see if they will be able to get out of the country.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Afghanaid calls for urgent support for those families whose lives have been affected. Donate today to support families who need it most via the website https://www.afghanaid.org.uk.

Additionally, food banks in Manchester currently are in need of donations due to the flights arriving in the city from Kabul. The refugees are currently being housed in hotels here, so there are many clothes drives you can also donate old clothes to in order to help out.

Internal and External Opportunities 

Internal opportunities:

  • Law school mixer: Meet all the law societies on 24th September (time and place TBA).

  • LWOB x UoM Freshers social at 256 bar on 29th September 7 pm - 11 pm BST. Registrations opening soon!

External opportunities:

University of Manchester LWOB Student Division
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Bulletin No.13