News - Afghanistan

Afghan president Hamid Karzai on Thursday sacked Nader Naderi, a commissioner of Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, along with some other members of the commission.

An official on condition of anonymity said that Nader Naderi, Human Rights Commissioner, Fahim Hakim, Mawlawi Ghulam Mohammad Gharib and two other members of the commission were sacked by the president over publishing a report about violation of human rights by some high ranking government officials and disagreements between the commission and the government and Administrative Reforms and Civil Services Commission as well as acting ministers' activities. The Afghan government officials have remained silent in this regard.

Afghan Civil Society Forum describes the action as crackdown on democracy in the country.

According to some sources President Hamid Karzai, Vice presidents, Head of President's Office and National Security Advisor to the President have sacked the Human rights officials.

"It's a pity. It is unacceptable for civil society activists, especially human rights activists in Afghanistan," Director of Afghanistan Civil Society Forum, Aziz Rafii, said. "If such a decision is made by the Afghan government and those around Mr Karzai, it is the beginning of a crack down on democracy in Afghanistan."

This comes as according to the Independent Human Rights Commission Regulations, the president does not have the authority to sack it's commissioners.

The article fourteen of this law which is extracted from article fifty eight of Afghan constitution and United Nations General Assembly Resolution No 134 which organises the activities of the commission says:

1.Member of the commission can be sacked in the following cases if proved with clear reasons:

1. Inability to perform assigned duties

2. Reveal confidential documents of the commission

3. Violation of this law

2. Implementation of this article shall be requested by two third of the commission members and approved by the President.

The Independent Human Rights Commission has 9 members and have been selected for five years.

Meanwhile, some experts believe that there have been pressures from human rights violators.

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