“We are thirsty for peace”, said a schoolgirl in Kabul on the occasion of the International Day of Peace on Sep 21.
Every year the day dedicated to world peace is celebrated the world over including in Afghanistan.
“We are thirsty for peace”, said a schoolgirl in Kabul on the occasion of the International Day of Peace on Sep 21.
Every year the day dedicated to world peace is celebrated the world over including in Afghanistan.
Rights activists, students, and civil society members rued the slow progress made in restoring peace in the country.
Raz Mohammad Dalili, director of Sanayee Development Organisation, said at a public function that nothing has happened to warrant a celebration but they use the occasion to spread the message of peace, and urge the government to build on peace efforts.
Dalili said the Karzai government and international community have failed Afghanistan. “We should not keep silent. We should call the government and international community to bring peace … If they don’t we should take action to show we want peace,” he exhorted the audience.
Some schoolchildren at the event shared their views on the ideal of peace. “We are thirsty for peace,” said Soraya in grade seven in a government school. “I hope there will be peace in the whole country one day, and we can go to school in an atmosphere of peace,” she added.
Grade five student Khurshid Momuminzada urged the Taleban and armed groups to stop the war and let children study.
“We children have the rights to live in a peaceful atmosphere, don’t take this right from us. Leave the weapons on the ground and stop war,” he read out loud from a prepared speech.
Omed Sharifi, the Tawanmandi regional head, also criticised the government for not bringing peace to the country. “The war should be ended in any case so the way for peace is leveled. We see for a long time the government running after the international community and it has failed,” he said.
Obstacle course
The Action for Peace and Justice, a foundation, called the Peace High Council a major obstacle in the way to a peace process. The council’s present structure and activities are inimical to stability, according to the foundation. Members of the council should be impartial for any progress to be made.
Sayed Ekram Afzali, the head of the foundation, said the council has only had “symbolic” use because impartial mediators were never brought on board “Most of the members of the Peace High Council have been involved in killings. Once they were the government’s opponents … How can we expect them to bring peace?” he asked.
Roshan Mashal, a women’s rights activist said peace should be the first task of the new government.
“Peace is the basic demand and request of Afghans,” Mashal told Killid. “When security is ensured other development activities can be easily performed,” she added. She urged the government and international community to work with their heart and soul to establish peace.
Last week memorial meetings were held on the third death anniversary of Burhanudin Rabbani, former head of Peace High Council. Salahuddin Rabbani, his son and current head, admitted in a speech that they have not achieved their goal.
He blamed the failure on the lack of interest shown by the government. “Inattention and hurry were behind the establishment of a weak government (in 2002). The government did not know its historical responsibility to use the millions of dollars from the international community for bringing peace and security to the country,” said Mashal.
UNAMA and the Awooshtoon Cultural Association from Paktia held a session last week in Gardez city on non-violence. Ahmadullah Archiwal, a lecturer at the law faculty, said non-violence was the only weapon against violence.
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