In response to the controversial release of 400 high-profile Taliban prisoners, some Afghan citizens on Tuesday criticized the government for not sharing the details and the identity of the prisoners with the public.
They said that the nation has the right to know about the identity of these prisoners and their crimes, especially since some were sentenced to death because of their involvement in major crimes.
“The identities of these prisoners should be disclosed in order for all to know who are they and what their crimes are so that the people of Afghanistan are informed about them,” said Sadat, a resident in Kabul.
“The government should disclose information about these 400 prisoners to the nation and the media,” said Abdul Haq Zuwakmand, a resident in Kandahar province.
“Not only about these 400 people, the government should give an explanation about the whole 5,100 prisoners,” said Abdul Wali Patyal, a resident in Kandahar province.
A member of the Loya Jirga meanwhile said that the government did not provide any information about the identities of the inmates and also said that the questionnaire given to Jirga members by the government was difficult.
“The secretariat and the Jirga leaders, including Dr. Abdullah and all others involved in the process, had pledged to share it through media with the people of Afghanistan,” said Abdullah Naji Nazari, a member of the Loya Jirga.
“Guarantees need to be made by these 400 prisoners, also guarantees from those countries who are involved in this process,” said Sulaiman Gul Watandost, a resident in Kabul.
“The people are tired of war, the people want peace at any cost,” said Abdul Wakil Hoshmand, a resident in Kabul.
This comes hours after President Ashraf Ghani on Monday evening signed a decree to release 400 high-value Taliban prisoners, a source at the Presidential Palace said.
This comes after the Loya Jirga--the grand assembly-- in a resolution issued on Sunday approved the release of the 400 Taliban prisoners in an aim to quickly start the intra-Afghan talks and bring about a ceasefire and an end to the nation's war.
The resolution, which has 25 articles, was issued at Sunday's Loya Jirga session. President Ashraf Ghani, former president Hamid Karzai, and other political figures also called on the Taliban for an immediate start to the intra-Afghan talks.
The members of the Loya Jirga in the resolution welcome and support the lasting peace with dignity to bring peace and stability to the country.
The resolution also states that if foreign fighters are among the 400 Taliban prisoners “they must be handed over to their countries with valid guarantees.”