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Read, Debate: Engage.
| topic: | Peace and Reconciliation |
|---|---|
| located: | Afghanistan |
| editor: | Shadi Khan Saif |
The exit of foreign troops from Afghanistan has not only terminated the reasons for continued armed insurgency, it has, in a way, paved the path for accountability and probing into the war crimes committed by all warring factions in the country.
There are of course various ways to look at the departure of foreign troops from Afghanistan. From the perspective of common Afghan citizens, this should mean an end to the war, a nationwide truce and eventually delivery of justice for what they went through during all these 20 years of bloodshed.
The brazen turf-war and political wrangling on one side, given the mandate of the International Criminal Court, Afghans deserve a genuine access to justice, which would pave the way for a sustainable peace and help with the nation-building process on solid foundations and principles.
The common people are the true stakeholders in the situation, more than the Taliban, the government or the foreign powers, and they desperately need justice without compromises based on political motives and back-channel deals - neither domestic nor international.
For many in Afghanistan, President Donald Trump issuing pardons to two US Army officers accused of war crimes in Afghanistan was a setback for the peace drive. However, President Joe Biden’s move to lift some sanctions and visa restrictions on ICC officials is seen as a small step forward.
The continued blocking of International Criminal Court’s bid for probe in such war crimes in Afghanistan not only devastated all Afghans and fueled insurgency, but promoted the culture of impunity resulting in unchecked killing of civilians to continue.
It is encouraging to see the Afghan government approaching the International Criminal Court, which operates under the Rome Statute, and Afghanistan has been a member of the Tribunal since 2003. It is equally encouraging to see that, based on the principle of complementarity jurisdiction and at the request of war victims and human rights organisations, the ICC has gathered complaints on alleged commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the last years of war in Afghanistan.
On top of the raging war over past two decades, deadly violence returned to Afghanistan after a brief three-day truce for the Muslim holy festival of Eid earlier this month. And, since the announcement of an exit date of September 2021 for American troops by the US President Joe Biden, Afghanistan has been witnessing a spike in deadly Taliban assaults across the country that has led to mounting casualties on all sides.
As the warring factions continue to defy calls for ceasefire and peace talks, no political patchwork can guarantee peace and tranquility for Afghanistan; but fair trials and timely justice can.
Image: United Nations Photo
