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United States Institute of Peace

Afghanistan Peace Efforts: Rights and Justice

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Many of Afghanistan’s major social and political gains since 2001 have come under significant threat since the Taliban’s takeover. Most important among them are the civil and political rights afforded by the 2004 constitution, which the Taliban have discarded. A number of the papers in this collection consider the unprecedented advances that were made in the past 20 years, particularly in the pursuit of equality for Afghan women and the actors, organizations and processes driving that progress. The question now is how to best preserve these gains and ensure the security of those who continue to champion civil and political rights for all Afghans. 

Another key issue involves the prospects for justice for atrocities committed during the war, as well as atrocity prevention during Taliban rule. Perspectives differ on how to handle such crimes, and a number of papers in this collection consider lessons learned from past cases as well as processes, institutions and experiences indigenous to Afghanistan that may be relevant going forward.

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Afghan women at the Afghan Women's Movement Council during a conference in Kabul, on July 17, 2010. (Eros Hoagland/The New York Times)

Belquis Ahmadi, “No Women, No Peace”

This report explores why negotiations with the Taliban must include Afghan women in order to protect their progress and build a sustainable peace.
Amnesty and the Peace Process in Afghanistan report cover

Patricia Gossman, “Amnesty and the Peace Process in Afghanistan”

This paper seeks to unpack Afghanistan’s international and national legal obligations concerning prosecuting serious crimes; the Government of Afghanistan’s amnesty law and its application; and what these might mean for amnesty in a peace deal.
Afghan Women’s Views on Violent Extremism and Aspirations to a Peacemaking Role report cover

Haseeb Humayoon and Mustafa Basij-Rasikh: “Afghan Women’s Views, Violent Extremism and Peacemaking”

Based on extensive interviews throughout Afghanistan, this report attempts to better understand the changing public role of Afghan women today and their contributions to peacebuilding and ending violence.