RAWA for representative government in Kabul

The Statesman, March 18, 2003
Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan has termed the Hamid Karzai government a total failure as far as the women’s rights are concerned and demanded the establishment of a true and representative government in that country.

Addressing a seminar under the title of the ‘Women Rights in Afghanistan’ at a hotel here on Monday, the RAWA speakers urged the international community to fulfil its pledges and take concrete steps for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

“We want that Afghanistan should be purged of all sorts of fundamentalism and extremism. In the last 23 years, the Afghan warlords, jihadis and Taliban have played havoc with the rights and freedom of the Afghan people. The women’s rights have been in particular violated and they have been brutalised for vested interests. We demand of the international community to consider the miserable condition of the Afghan women and take steps for their social, political and educational emancipation”, they said.

The woman speakers declared that giving the power to the Northern Alliance was just like giving authority to the enemies of Afghanistan. The NA had been involved in gross human rights violations and destroying Afghanistan at the behest of the foreign powers, they observed.

“We demand that all the Afghan warlords, included in the Hamid Karzai government and outside, should be presented before an international tribunal and put on trial for their long history of intrigues and bloodshed on the Afghan soil. We don’t think that the present government is acceptable to all the Afghan people. If the international community and neighbouring countries really want to see stability and peace in the region, the Afghan people should be allowed to elect their representatives in a free and fair manner. Democracy and secularism are the remedies for all evils confronting Afghanistan at the present hour,” they observed.

The RAWA members pledged that they would continue their struggle for the protection of the women rights and never compromise on the principles of democracy, liberty and secularism. They demanded of the international community to discourage the US imperialism and block the US way for monopolising the natural resources of Iraq.

“The US has no right to bring a regime change in Iraq. It is the right of the Iraqi people to either accept or reject Saddam Hussain’s government. On the one hand, the US has adopted criminal silence over the killing of the innocent people at the hands of the Israeli forces in Palestine and, on the other, it has become the champion of democracy and human rights. This double standard will lead the country to a new holocaust,” they said.

Addressing the seminar, Haji Muhammad Adeel, the central information secretary of the Awami National Party, said that his party had always supported the cause of the Afghan women and opposed the interference of the foreign countries in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

“It is a happy sign for the people of Afghanistan that the government of the fundamentalists has been dismantled there, but unfortunately this time Pakistan has been made the victim of the menace of fundamentalism. All the secular parties and groups are being discouraged by the generals and secret agencies. Fighting extremism and fundamentalism is very essential for the establishment of a tolerant, stable and peaceful society, both in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he observed.

A central leader of the PPP (S), Sikandar Hayat Sherpao, a leader of the Mazdoor Kisan Party, Afzal Khamosh, and a lady senator, Anisa Zaib, also addressed the seminar. The student members of the RAWA presented some patriotic songs on this occasion.

Afghans urged to work jointly for peace

The News International, March 18, 2003
By Syed Bukhar Shah

PESHAWAR: The speakers at a function here on Monday reiterated their commitment to render every sacrifice to block the way of fundamentalism and urged upon the Afghan nation to jointly work for the restoration of peace, democracy, human and women rights.

Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) organized a function to observe the International Women Day, at a local hotel, which besides a large number of Afghan women was attended by the Pakistani politicians, intellectuals and people belonging to various walks of life.

Big banners inscribed with different slogans in favour of democracy, peace, human rights and against fundamentalism were displayed on the occasion. Almost all the RAWA activists eulogized the services of their founding member Meena, and their association, which they had been rendering for the rights of women since long. They reiterated their commitment to continue their struggle till the achievement of their goals. "We had been opposing fundamentalists and jihade forces in the past and would do so in future," said an activist amidst cheering crowed. She added: "The emancipation of Afghan women depends on the fundamentalists annihilation." Different Afghan students presented various Afghan revolutionary poems, national songs with different intervals.

The central information secretary, ANP Haji Mohammad Adeel, central PPP (Sherpao) leader and MPA Sikandar Khan Sherpao, newly elected PPP-S senator Ms Anisa Zeb Tahirkhali, central leader of Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party Afzal Khamoosh and member Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Zaira Khattak addressed on the occasion.

Haji Adeel said his party was opposed to fundamentalism in the past and would follow the same policy in future. We had been opposing fundamentalism and jihadies in Afghanistan and here in this country but the dictators and agencies tried to punish their party in the recently held elections. He said his party has been demanding real democracy in Pakistan and Afghanistan where all the people could get equal rights. After September 11, the changes were made but those were incomplete. He said Taliban were removed from Afghanistan.

Sikandar Sherpao said the promises and assurances were made in the past for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of that war torn country but nothing practical was done for that. He urged upon the governments to practically work for the welfare and prosperity of the Afghan nation instead of making speeches and promises.

Senator Anisa Zeb said the Afghan women had to work hard to solve most of the problems, which they had been facing up till now. She urged upon the women to forge unity among their ranks and further organize them for the achievement of their rights by jointly working with other women organizations at international level.

The RAWA members said her organization has been emphasizing that the main reason of Afghanistan's unparalleled backwardness and the servitude of its men and women is that the fundamentalists are in power, their personality and their treacherous and blood covered record during the four years of their "Islamic Emirate" (1992-1996) one that the mentality of Taliban showed. No big change will be occurred regarding the present condition, unless the whole nation and particularly our women march on the path of struggle for freedom. The unity of all democracy-loving and anti-fundamentalist forces is the sole guarantee of victory in the path. Just now there are attempts towards the creation of unity and cooperation among the said forces. However, this mission will have no value and will not produce any positive result unless it is based on anti-fundamentalist struggle for the sake of democracy and independence.

Today the threat of awful war by the US and UK for the control of oil of the Gulf region and for the bullying and frightening of other countries under the excuse of Saddam's regime toppling, has already cast its shadow on Iraq. It is the obligation of all peace-loving forces of Afghanistan to take firm stand against warmongers with full solidarity with worldwide anti-war movement.

RAWA wants separation of religion from state

Dawn, March 18, 2003
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR, March 17: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) has said that unless religion is separated from the state, Afghanistan cannot make progress in the socio-economic field.

Speaking at a gathering organized by RAWA in connection with the International Women Day on Monday, RAWA leaders said that Karzai government was a continuum of the successive despotic Afghan regimes. The lawlessness in Afghanistan was a carry-over of the jingoism syndrome, they said.

They observed that Afghan women could enjoy their basic rights and freedom in a true democratic deposition based on secular and liberal values. RAWA leaders pledged that they would continue their struggle against all forms of exploitation and for the establishment of the people's democracy in Afghanistan.

They criticized the political role of the Northern Alliance - a main shareholder in political power in Kabul - for its anti-women, anti-democratic and inhuman role in the country.

Referring to the Iraq crisis, they said Saddam Hussain was accountable to his people, who had been braving against the cruel policies of the dictator. They said RAWA was opposed to terrorism whether it was unleashed by individual, groups or state.

Humaira Jan of RAWA said that democracy without secularism was incomplete as human rights were guaranteed only in a secular state.

She said that as an eyewash just a few women were made ministers by the present Afghan government but in true sense they didn't represent the Afghan women.

Marina Mateen told Dawn that whether it was Taliban regime or Northern Alliance both looted the country of its freedom and the women of their due rights. Both were fundamentalists and puppets in the hands of outsiders.

Expressing solidarity with RAWA, Awami National Party information secretary Haji Mohammad Adeel said that his party would continue to support the association's struggle for the womenfolk.

He praised RAWA's role against the Taliban and said that it had been a main part of democratic struggle against the obscurantism and fundamentalism in Afghanistan.

The Afghans, he said, had luckily dethroned the fundamentalists and paved a way for the fragile democracy which needed to be strengthened. The deserter Taliban, he claimed, had made NWFP the next target of their activities, he added.

He lashed out at the six-party religious alliance, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal for enforcing a Taliban-style system in the province in the name of Shariat.

Speaking on the occasion, MPA Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao, a central leader of PPP (Sherpao), lauded Rawa's struggle and assured his party's support.

He said: "Afghanistan is back on the track of reconstruction, economic development and progress."

He hoped that the repatriation of Afghan refugees would pave way for the peaceful their rehabilitation. The new Afghan government needed the support of developed countries to bring back prosperity to the country, he added.

A central leader of the PPP (Sherpao), Senator Aneesa Zeb Tahirkheli also praised the efforts of Rawa for its poor and war- affected people.

Afzal Khamoosh, general secretary of the Communist Mazdoor Kisan Party, also spoke on the occasion.

Afghan school children presented revolutionary songs and Sheema Kirmani, a famous classical dancer, performed the women struggle in the light of poetry.

RAWA for grant of women rights in Afghanistan

PakTribune, March 18, 2003

PESHAWAR, March 18 (Online): Revolutionary Women Association of Afghanistan (RAWA) stressed Monday that it was essential to help secure fundamental rights to the Afghan women in order to transform Afghanistan into ideal democratic society.

These views were expressed in a seminar organised by RAWA here Monday on " Freedom, Democracy and Women Rights" to mark the women day.

Addressing the seminar, ANP Leader and former NWFP Assembly deputy leader, Haji Muhammad Adeel claimed that his party always put its weight on the side of RAWA and sided with it in the hard times of Taliban. ANP stands by the RAWA, as the party had publicly opposed Taliban regime for the sake of RAWA, he added.

Adeel while expressing ANP stance on religious extremism and fundamentalism said that his party was opposed to extremists and fundamentalists. Therefore, it sided with RAWA in launching movements against Taliban at home and abroad.

He observed that the 9/11 event has led the world to a change. However it was nothing short of a good omen for the people of Afghanistan the change they witnessed, he remarked.

He regretted that the women are still facing the same discrimination in Afghanistan of today what they met at the hands of Taliban regime even after collapse of Taliban rule.

Member of NWFP Assembly Sikandar Sherpao, PPP (S) lamented that it was being hoped following the surrender of Taliban regime that Afghani people will be granted their due rights. However the matter is still intact, he hinted. No country can develop unless their women folk work side by side with the men, he noted.

He assured RAWA that the present government will provide every possible assistance to Afghanistan in its reconstruction and rebuilding process

US held responsible for increasing unrest

The Nation, March 18, 2003

Peshawar: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) expressing concern over the ongoing unrest in the war-ravaged country, held the United States responsible for it, alleging that the US always patronized the extremists for meeting her own nefarious designs.

The RAWA emphasized that the main reason for Afghanistan's unparalleled back ward ness and the servitude of its men and women is that the orthodox people are in power.

A declaration was adopted at a gathering organize by the RAWA in connection with the International Women's Day on March 17 instead of March 8.

Besides leading activists and stalwarts of RAWA, the function was attended by a large number of women residing in Peshawar and its surrounding areas. The function was also addressed by leaders from political (Sherpao) Sikandar Hayat Khan and Senator Aneesa Zeb Tahirkheli' Awami National Party's Haji Mohammad Adeel and Communist Mazdoor Kisan Party's Afzal Shah Khamoosh.

One of the RAWA activists in her speech reminded that last year they promised to observe the international Women's Day inside Afghanistan but they failed in materializing such a dream. She recalled that despite certain observations, the RAWA had not only backed the Bonn Accord but it announced support to President Hamid Karzai,s government although now "we are disappointed".

The declaration said that, no big change would occur regarding the present conditions, unless the whole nation and particularly our women march on the path of struggle for freedom. The unity of all democracy- loving forces is the sole guarantee of victory.

"To day the threat of awful war by the US and UK for the control of oil of the Gulf region and for the bulling and frightening of other countries under the excuse of Saddam's regime toppling, has already cast its shadow over Iraq. It is the obligation of all peace-loving forces of Afghanistan to take a firm stand against warmongers with full solidarity with worldwide anti-war movement. The RAWA stretches the hand of unity towards all those organisations and personalities that march towards that day with out being afraid of a resolute and unwavering struggle against the fundamentalists and their masters," it said.

In their speeches, the leaders of PPP (S), ANP and Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party expressed satisfaction over the RAWA efforts for democracy and safeguarding of the basic human rights. They also assured support. Senator Aneesa Zeb Tahirkheli said RAWA should not confine its movement to Afghan women but it should also raise voice in favor of right s of the women from Pakistan, who are deprived of their basic rights. ANP's Haji Mohammad Adeel said that like of RAWA, his party had always opposed mujahideen and Taliban.

He reminded the audience that their leaders, particularly the late freedom fighter Bacha Khan, had denounced the jihad when the former Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and termed it a war between the United States and the former USSR.