Position paper from August 8, 2022

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took over the power in Afghanistan again after 20 years after 20 years. A year later, there is still uncertainty in Afghanistan about the political and socio -economic future of the country. The economic, financial and humanitarian crisis, which was still exacerbated by the sanctions and the suspension of development cooperation, continues to have a negative impact on the living conditions of the Afghan. There is a massive famine . At least 59 percent of the population are now dependent on humanitarian aid - an increase of six million people compared to the beginning of 2021. More than ten million children (UN ^{) are 1} . It is feared that over 90 percent of the population will fall below the poverty border in the near future.

The general security situation has improved because the Taliban is now in power and no more attacks. But despite the overall significant decline in armed violence, the UN recorded 2,106 civilian victims between mid -August 2021 and mid -June 2022 (700 deaths, 1406 injured). Most of the victims were due to targeted attacks by the Islamic State (ISIS) against ethnic and religious minorities. In addition, resistance groups have formed against the Taliban. The resulting security vacuum after the troop deduction harbors the risk of establishing new/old terrorist groups.

Since August 15, human rights and especially women's rights have been severely restricted by the Taliban. A national amnesty was issued for former government officials and members of the Afghan security and defense forces. out-of-court killings by former government and security officers were reported by members of the DE-FACTO authorities between August 15, 2021 and June 15, 2022

The rights of women to participate in education and working and their freedom of movement were severely restricted and in many cases even completely inverted. The decision to refuse to return to the secondary school means that a whole generation of girls will not complete their 12-year school training.

The new regime has tried to suppress different opinions by protests and restricting media freedom by arbitrary journalists, demonstrators and civil society activists and issued restrictions on media institutions. Nevertheless, the protests continue, women and girls are still on the street and demand their rights, as well as the organizations of civil society, journalists and human rights activists.

The German federal government wants to take into account the continuation of humanitarian aid and long -term development cooperation, the German federal government wants to take into account its own promises not to forget the Afghan civilian population.

 

What does terre des hommes do

In addition to the UN organizations, non-governmental organizations are the most important actors in Afghanistan to achieve and support the people in need. Terre des Hommes Germany and its partner organizations support project measures in eleven Afghan provinces. Last year, the measures focused on providing food and medical help as well as educational and vocational training programs . For the children in Afghanistan, it is about their survival and primarily about adequate food supply and health care. In the long term, access to education and protection against exploitation must be guaranteed. Now it is time to support people in Afghanistan despite all the hurdles.

 

Requirements for the German federal government

• The support of the Afghan civilian population must be geared towards long -term development cooperation and not only cover current humanitarian needs.
• Financial support should be increasingly implemented through international and local non -governmental organizations that have long -term expertise in Afghanistan.
• The German federal government must provide humanitarian aid despite the sanction regime and ensure the implementation of Resolution 2615 ² , which according to humanitarian aid is excluded from sanctions. This includes, among other things, a smooth middle transfer for humanitarian auxiliary funds and means of development cooperation. The German Federal Government must assure banks that they have no consequences in the transfer of humanitarian aid. The human right to humanitarian aid must weigh higher than a zero risk policy in compliance with sanctions.
• The Federal Government has deployed an inquiry commission and an investigation committee to deal with the overall deployment of the German Bundeswehr troops as well as the overhanged deduction and the evacuation of the Afghan local workers. The work -up of the total mission, especially as part of the Enquete Commission, should include comprehensive participation of international and local civil society actors and diaspora organizations.

(1) https://www.unicef.de/informen/aktuelles/blog/kinder-in-afghanistan-7-fakten/250238 ; https://unama.

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