BAMYAN - Achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan was the focus of the latest gathering, in Bamyan, held as part of the nationwide People’s Dialogue process.

 The UNAMA-supported gathering in the central province of Bamyan brought together a diverse group including members of provincial authorities, civil society and youth groups, along with women rights activists and local journalists.

The event is part of People’s Dialogue meetings designed to ensure people’s concerns and aspirations are heard and amplified, and incorporated by policy-makers into processes and plans for achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

More than a dozen civil society organizations and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission oversee and sponsor the public discussions. To date, more than 6,000 Afghan citizens – men, women and young people – have taken part in the Afghan People’s Dialogue for Peace at meetings in all 34 provinces, including in remote rural areas.

Addressing participants at the Bamyan gathering, the Head of the provincial High Peace Council, Sadiq Aliyar, highlighted the importance of local community support for peace and security. He called on the people of Afghanistan to say no to violence.

“Bamyan is a peaceful province because the people of Bamyan want peace,” said Mr. Aliyar. “We need to expand this from Bamyan to the rest of the country.”

Participants pointed to the importance of strong administrative processes and practices in local government institutions. They agreed that security institutions had a key role to play in provincial security.

Deputy chief of Police in Bamyan, Mohammad Ali Lagzee, said that support from the local population and central government was essential to maintaining a high level of security in the province.

The Governor of Bamyan province, Tahir Zohair, pointed to progress in tackling corrupt practices and a solid commitment to the fight against corruption.

A national conference held on 15 January 2015 in Kabul provided Afghan leaders the opportunity to develop national advocacy strategies as part of province-level recommendations. Findings of the earlier phase of the People’s Dialogue were published in a summary report in June 2014.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and relevant international and local non-governmental organizations to assist in the full implementation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution and international treaties to which Afghanistan is a State party.