Badakhshan discussion series raises awareness, confidence in Afghan legal system

6 Oct 2016

Badakhshan discussion series raises awareness, confidence in Afghan legal system

FAIZABAD - Raising awareness and confidence in the Afghan legal system is the aim of a series of 12 UNAMA-backed events that kicked off in north-east Badakhshan province recently.  

The first event in the ‘In the Light of Law’ series involved around 30 participants discussing the Afghan Constitution and the legal system.

Law and sharia law students from local tertiary institutions, along with judges, law lecturers and civil society members took part in the event that was later broadcast on TV and radio to an estimated audience of more than 300,000 people throughout the province.

The series looks to raise confidence and trust in judicial institutions, including provincial courts and lawyers. It also aims to enhance awareness of the formal legal system and the rights and obligations of Afghan citizens under the law. It will also cover due process in civil and criminal cases, role of lawyers, court trials, the condition and treatment of prisoners, land issues, and family law and inheritance law.

Ahmad Jan Amini, Deputy of Badakhshan’s Appeal Court, said that the series was very helpful in raising awareness among the community about justice and law enforcement, and he thanked UNAMA for their support to the province.

Shukria Shahrani, a panelist and student, said that implementation and enforcement of the law paves the way for sustainable peace in the community.

“Peace without justice is impossible. Justice brings both reform and prosperity,” said Ms. Shahrani.   

Sakhidad Arianpor, another panelist and student, said that implementing the constitution was not an easy task given the decades of conflict, but that both government and the public have a role in contributing to law and order.

Remote Badakhshan province shares a frontier with Tajikistan, Pakistan and China. It is unusual geographically in that its land area includes a long salient that extends across Pakistan as far as China.  

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides good offices; promotes coherent development support by the international community; supports the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.