Kabul: The Afghan government and coalition forces have failed to champion human rights and the rule of law in Afghanistan since the end of Taliban rule, leaving Afghans disillusioned and vulnerable to abuses, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.
In a report released ahead of a key conference on the future of Afghanistan in Bonn today, the rights group said that in the decade since the US-backed defeat of the Taliban, measures to protect women and promote the rule of law have failed.
Afghanistan's justice system remains "weak and compromised", it added, and women often lack even basic protection.
"Human rights, and in particular women's rights, were cited as a key benefit of the defeat of Taliban rule in 2001," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. "But ten years later, many basic rights are still ignored or downplayed."
"While there have been improvements, the rights situation is still dominated by poor governance, lack of rule of law, impunity for militias and police, laws and policies that harm women, and conflict-related abuses."
The group said Afghan regional commanders have taken advantage of US support to strengthen their grip on local populations, often at the expense of human rights.
The government and its allies have "repeatedly squandered opportunities to hold government or militia leaders responsible for abuses committed under their command," it said.
"Afghans have made it clear that they want abusive warlords and commanders removed from their posts and prosecuted," Adams said.
