Commitment to Justice and Human Rights: Upholding the Rule of Law and Protecting Citizens

Keypoints: 

• Support Human Rights Defenders: Recognize and back their efforts.
• Rule of Law: Law applies equally to all; justice protects rights.
• Constitutional Rights: Afghan Constitution guarantees human rights.
• Awareness: Public knowledge is key to enforcing rights.
• Judicial Reform: Strengthen courts and institutions for protection.
• Rights in Policy: All laws and plans must respect human rights.
• Condemn Violence: Reject terrorism and punish violators.
• Commitment: Continue supporting rights and civil society.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Dr. Sima Samar, Dr. Spanta, the Deputy of UNAMA, the EU Ambassador, Mr. Naderi, and all defenders of human rights! It is my hope that you are not recognized merely as defenders of human rights, but as defenders of the Constitution of Afghanistan; because everything enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is contained within our Constitution in an even better and more comprehensive manner.

Sisters and brothers! Especially those who have traveled from the provinces: Khosh Keldiying! Khosh amaded! ښه راغلاست! (Welcome!)

Historical Context and National Consensus

We commemorate International Human Rights Day at a time when our country has, on one hand, taken important steps toward institutionalizing and protecting human rights, and on the other hand, has not yet been relieved of the challenges arising from the current imposed war and the aftershocks of past conflicts. The ten points mentioned by Dr. Sima Samar are the results of our history. A comprehensive process is required to overcome our "bad history" and reach a bright and future-building history.

We all agree that the Rule of Law is the only way to ensure justice and support the rights of citizens. Fortunately, public awareness in this area has expanded to an acceptable level and has led to the formation of a national consensus. We can see the manifestation of this national consensus in our Constitution and our media debates. Our people today are not the people of 15 years ago. They have a comprehensive awareness of their rights and a loud voice for ensuring justice.

From Ideals to Executive Mechanisms

Awareness of the position of human rights and belief in human rights values is the first stage for the implementation and realization of these values. The next steps in this path are making the observance of these rules mandatory through laws and creating executive and guarantee mechanisms so that the subject of human rights moves beyond dreams and wishes and becomes a practical process. People must be assured that no one has the possibility of violating their private sphere, nor will they be able to encroach upon their rights in the public arena.

In our country today, we have fortunately left some of these threats behind; we see that belief in the basic institutions of the state, such as the National Army and Police, as well as the judicial and legal apparatus, has strengthened. The increasing capability of civil society, along with the institutionalization of freedom of expression and the awakening role of the press and media, has significantly and encouragingly reduced the level of law-breaking and human rights violations compared to wartime conditions.

Legislative Alignment and the National Development Plan

Furthermore, today every policy, program, and law drafted and approved by the government is viewed through a human rights lens and based on its requirements. In the past year, we have paid the most attention to the legislative field, and I can say with confidence that the enactment of these laws has been entirely in the spirit of respecting human rights standards and within the framework of the Constitution and the expansion of those values.

To the same extent that the development and protection of civil and political rights are obligations of the government, improving people's access to their social, economic, and cultural rights is also the basic foundation for growth and prosperity. It is for this reason that the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Plan, which determines the country's development path over the next four years and received financial support from our international partners in Brussels, is founded upon this view of the second generation of human rights values to ensure continuous and balanced development for our people. It is hoped that Dr. Samar will find her ten issues within this framework and see our clear commitments.

Judicial Reform and the Supremacy of Law

Respected attendees! To defend, support, and strengthen the human rights of our fellow citizens, effective and efficient judicial and legal institutions are needed. It is a matter of joy that reforms in the country's Judiciary and the Attorney General's Office have been made with the intention that serious attention be paid to the observance of human rights, and that victims of crimes and oppression feel justice. I am happy that access to justice has become easier and is improving day by day.

Today, I reassure you once again that we will continue the series of reforms in these key human rights support institutions, and I decisively support the reforms that the Honorable Chief Justice and the Attorney General of the country have implemented and are implementing.

The law will be applied to me first, and then to all other citizens of Afghanistan. This is the consensus of the people of Afghanistan; this is the demand of the people of Afghanistan. No one is above the law! Supporting human rights defenders is an obligation of the government and the country's judicial and legal organs.

The Synthesis of Islam and Human Rights

Fortunately, in our society, a great support for the rule of law and the implementation of human rights is the exalted values of the holy religion of Islam, which have found manifestation in jurisprudence and Islamic Sharia, commanding a systematic civil life for Muslims.

Those who are familiar with the important discussion of the Objectives of Sharia (Maqasid al-Sharia) know that in our pure religion and Sharia, there is great emphasis on protecting the life, property, and dignity of humans, and the legislative provisions of Islamic jurisprudence have guaranteed the ways and means of defending human rights.

Haqq-ullah (The Right of God) is the duty of the state, but Haqq-ul-Abd (The Right of the Individual/Servant) cannot be forgiven by anyone. There must be absolute clarity here. In no treaty or agreement does the state have the permission to forgive Haqq-ul-Abd, because this is the command and order of our clear religion, and we are committed to its implementation based on the Constitution. Great Muslim scholars have tried to show the ways of supporting human rights by taking inspiration from the spirit and essence of the holy religion of Islam.

Condemnation of Terrorism and Crimes Against Humanity

The actions of the Taliban and their like-minded groups regarding human rights violations and indifference to people's lives are not only in conflict with accepted international covenants but also in clear contradiction with the teachings of Islamic Sharia.

The cowardly behavior that the bloodthirsty committed in recent days in Kandahar, martyring five female airport employees, is the result of the terrorists' lack of familiarity with religion and faith and their wrong interpretation of religious teachings.

We have seen many times over the past fifteen years that terrorists carried out suicide attacks in mosques and showed no mercy toward anyone, including children, the elderly, and religious scholars. Some actions of terrorist groups can be considered explicit examples of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Inevitability of Justice and Accountability

Justice, God willing, is ultimately achievable, and the breaking of the sanctuary of Divine Sharia and the violation of human rights will not go unanswered. This is the message of our religion, which has always commanded justice and warned against committing crimes, and has also given tidings to the oppressed and downtrodden not to despair and to be certain that their cries and moans will not be wasted.

In this context, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan considers itself obliged to remain bound and committed to human rights values with all its might and to support those who strive in the path of defending human rights. I personally thank all human rights defenders, and we are indebted to your sacrifices and devotion.

Final Commitment to the Future

The state is obliged to take all necessary measures for the institutionalization of human rights in Afghanistan; because the Afghan government is a responsible and accountable government. Considering the bitter experiences of the past, it does not want any backsliding to occur in this scene, so that we no longer need to hold memorial days for victims of human rights violations in our country. In the hope of that day when there is no such need, we must all dedicate ourselves.

Using this opportunity, I salute the souls of the martyrs and victims of the country and repeat that protecting human rights and ensuring justice is part of the responsibility we have toward the blood of those lost loved ones. We hope that the activities of the country's civil society organizations also continue with the goal of strengthening human rights values and universal justice in our beloved country.

Long live Afghanistan! Yashasin Afghanistan! Zhwanday de we Afghanistan!