Position paper dated August 8, 2022

On August 15, 2021, following the hasty withdrawal of NATO troops, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan after 20 years. A year later, uncertainty still prevails in Afghanistan regarding the country's political and socioeconomic future. The economic, financial, and humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by sanctions and the suspension of aid, continues to negatively impact the living conditions of Afghans. A massive famine . At least 59 percent of the population now depends on humanitarian assistance—an increase of six million people compared to the beginning of 2021. Of these, more than ten million are children (UN ^).1 It is feared that in the near future, over 90 percent of the population will fall below the poverty line.

the overall security situation has improved, as the Taliban are now in power and no longer carry out attacks, the UN recorded 2,106 civilian casualties (700 dead, 1,406 injured) between mid-August 2021 and mid-June 2022, despite the significant overall decrease in armed violence. Most of these casualties resulted from targeted attacks by the Islamic State (ISIS) against ethnic and religious minorities. Furthermore, resistance groups have formed against the Taliban. The resulting security vacuum following the troop withdrawal poses a risk of the establishment of new or existing terrorist groups.

Since August 15, human rights, and especially women's rights, have been severely restricted by the Taliban. Although a national amnesty was issued for former government officials and members of the Afghan security and defense forces, at least 160 extrajudicial killings of former government and security officials by members of the de facto authorities were reported between August 15, 2021, and June 15, 2022.

Women's rights to participate in education and employment, as well as their freedom of movement, have been severely restricted and in many cases completely abolished. The decision to deny girls the right to return to secondary school means that an entire generation of girls will not complete their 12 years of schooling.

The new regime has attempted to suppress dissent by cracking down on protests and restricting media freedom, arbitrarily arresting journalists, demonstrators, and civil society activists, and imposing restrictions on media outlets. Nevertheless, the protests continue; women and girls remain on the streets demanding their rights, as do civil society organizations, journalists, and human rights activists.

Continuing humanitarian aid and long-term development cooperation is essential if the German Federal Government is to live up to its own commitments not to forget the Afghan civilian population.

 

What does terre des hommes do?

Besides UN organizations, non-governmental organizations are the most important actors in Afghanistan for reaching and supporting people in need. terre des hommes Germany and its partner organizations support projects in eleven Afghan provinces. Last year, these efforts focused on providing food and medical assistance, as well as education and vocational training programs . For children in Afghanistan, it is a matter of survival, and their primary needs are adequate food and healthcare. In the long term, access to education and protection from exploitation must be guaranteed. Now is the time to support the people of Afghanistan despite all the obstacles.

 

Demands on the German Federal Government

• Support for the Afghan civilian population must be geared towards long-term development cooperation and not just cover current humanitarian needs.
• Financial support should be increasingly implemented through international and local non-governmental organizations that have many years of expertise in Afghanistan.
• The German Federal Government must enable humanitarian aid despite the sanctions regime and ensure the implementation of Resolution 2615 ^, which exempts humanitarian aid from sanctions. This includes, among other things, the smooth transfer of humanitarian aid funds and development cooperation funds. The German Federal Government must assure banks that they will not face any repercussions for transferring humanitarian aid funds. The human right to humanitarian aid must take precedence over a zero-risk policy regarding compliance with sanctions.
• To investigate the overall deployment of German Bundeswehr troops, as well as the hasty withdrawal and evacuation of Afghan local staff, the German government has established a commission of inquiry and a parliamentary inquiry committee. The investigation of the overall deployment, particularly within the framework of the commission of inquiry, should include the comprehensive participation of international and local civil society actors and diaspora organizations.

(1) https://www.unicef.de/informieren/aktuelles/blog/kinder-in-afghanistan-7-fakten/250238 ; https://unama.unmissions.org/un-releases-report-human-rights-afghanistan-taliban-takeover

(2) “The Security Council (…) decides that humanitarian aid and other activities supporting basic human needs in Afghanistan are not a violation (…).”