News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International AI Index: ASA 11/018/2002 19 December 2002 Afghanistan: Donor Assistance Essential to Rebuild shattered Judicial System The international community must ensure that the judicial system in Afghanistan receives adequate and coordinated financial and technical support in order to fulfil its essential role as guarantor of the rule of law in Afghanistan. As donors meet in Rome to discuss the rehabilitation of Afghanistan's judicial system, Amnesty International welcomes their focus on this urgent issue and urges that all donor approaches are co-ordinated.The appropriate practical steps must be taken to strengthen this national institution, and the international community must take into account the needs of the Afghan population at all levels. "Without coordinated support from the international community, the judiciary will not be able to fulfil its essential role in Afghanistan as guarantor of the rule of law, which protects human rights. National institutions in Afghanistan have been destroyed and it is essential that all donor efforts at reconstruction are coordinated to strengthen these institutions across the whole country, not only in Kabul," Amnesty International said. In particular, Afghan civil society must be consulted by the international community when planning reconstruction efforts, and the needs of all Afghans should be taken into account at all stages of donor planning. The international community should ensure that women are involved in decision-making processes, and that mechanisms ensuring their access to the criminal justice system are established as a priority. "The protection of human rights depends on access to justice for all," Amnesty International said. "For the people of Afghanistan, this can only be realised if there is a long term commitment to assist by the donor community." View all Afghanistan documents: http://click.topica.com/maaaJnHaaUYxAbb0imPb/ **************************************************************** You may repost this message onto other sources provided the main text is not altered in any way and both the header crediting Amnesty International and this footer remain intact. Only the list subscription message may be removed. ****************************************************************
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