The invisible debate of peace negotiations and the holding or rather the postponement(s) of the presidential election has put Afghanistan in a complex and sensitive situation. Lack of public awareness of the exact text of the Talks, ambiguity in the influential political participation of women, anonymous rumors among the people, contradictory news from the media, fears of delaying elections and the formation of an interim government – have all made the situation worse. One the one hand, the speculations of unorganized labor work and political dispersal in these two arenas, and on the other hand, the increasing insecurity and escalation of war as peace negotiations unfold, have immensely confused the people. The Afghanistan Civil Society Forum – organization (ACSFo) does not see this situation for the benefit of the country.
While emphasizing the durability of the peace talks, the ceasefire declaration, ACSFo calls for an immediate need to prevent the killing of civilians and to deal with war victims as a prerequisite for progress. On the other hand, holding free and fair elections is seen as one of the most important factors in the realization of democracy, the peaceful and just transfer of power and the key elements in legitimizing the country’s future political system. ACSFo firmly believes that lasting, just and universal peace in the country is one of the long-held aspirations of the Afghan people that any concession through killing of civilians is contrary to the divine law, human dignity, and universal humanitarian conventions. ACSFo hopes that, given the recent advances in the peace process, the Afghan people would find their lost alienation and long-standing aspiration through the declaration of a ceasefire. We also believe that the continuing bloodshed in the country will lead to widespread human rights abuse, massacres of civilians and heightened social strife.
ACSFo, in the critical state of affairs, strongly requests from the country politicians and all parties involved in the peace affairs, as well as the Afghan government, to give proper attention to the legitimate demands of the people of Afghanistan and to respect their choice in the election. We also request to consider the rights of the people, especially women, to participate in the peace talks, declare a ceasefire, and peacefully transfer the power through just elections to achieve a proper system based on the rule of law and peace – due to the lack of which the people have been suffering five decades of war.
From Allah we ask for success.