RWI Afghanistan Programme Research Fellows: Activities Update, Autumn 2024

This autumn, the Research Fellows of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) Afghanistan Programme have been engaged in a range of activities closely aligned with the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett. The Fellows participated in key events such as the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council and the Annual Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI) in Lund, Sweden, as well as in workshops and presentations to share their research. 

57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (9 September) 

Research Fellows Kobra Moradi, Palwasha Mirbacha, and Hamid Formuli attended the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, accompanying Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan. The session featured a presentation by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, focusing on the worsening human rights situation and accountability in Afghanistan. 

Reflecting on the event, Palwasha Mirbacha highlighted the courage of Afghan women advocates who spoke out against state positions, emphasizing their resilience despite facing repression back home. “It was remarkable to see Afghan women stand their ground in front of member states,” she said. She further noted the Afghan saying, “When one door closes, a hundred others open,” underscoring the strength of Afghan women in their ongoing struggle for fundamental rights. 

Launch of Strategic Study on Accountability – Side Event at the Human Rights Council 

During the HRC session, the Fellows participated in a side event co-organised by RWI, the Human Rights Research League, and the World Organisation Against Torture. This event marked the launch of the RWI strategic study on accountability for human rights and international humanitarian law violations in Afghanistan.  

Hamid Formuli, who moderated the session, described it as a “highly successful mission,” noting the significance of engaging with civil society organisations and international experts on justice mechanisms for Afghanistan. “It was an invaluable opportunity to connect with key stakeholders,” he said, expressing optimism about future collaborations to further the cause of accountability. 

Panel Discussions at the AHRI Annual Conference (13 September)  

The Fellows also actively participated in the Annual Conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), which took place on 13 September, co-organised by RWI. This year’s theme, “Human Rights in a Polarized World – Realizing Human Rights in the Green and Just Transition,” provided a platform to discuss pressing issues in Afghanistan. 

Panel 1: Accountability Options for Human Rights Violations in Afghanistan 

Chaired by Kobra Moradi, this panel featured insights from Richard Bennett (UN Special Rapporteur), Fereshta Abbasi (Human Rights Watch), and Haroun Rahimi (RWI). The discussion focused on Afghanistan’s enduring cycles of human rights violations and the absence of a transitional justice process. The panellists explored accountability options, drawing from RWI’s strategic study on justice mechanisms. The session emphasized the need to end impunity and provide justice for victims of past and ongoing atrocities under the Taliban regime. 

Panel 2: Environmental Challenges and Human Rights Violations in Afghanistan 

This panel, co-chaired by Richard Bennett and Morten Koch Andersen, brought together panellists including Fazlullah Akhtar (University of Bonn), Azita Bathaie (Lille University), Latifa Jafari Alavi (RWI), and Haroun Rahimi (RWI). The discussion examined the intersection of environmental challenges and human rights violations, particularly for vulnerable communities in Afghanistan. Panelists emphasized the need to strengthen environmental protections, enhance access to resources, and ensure human rights for marginalized groups. 

RWI Fellows Research Workshop (19 September) 

On 19 September, the Fellows held a workshop at RWI to present updates on their ongoing research projects. The event, attended by Kajsa Johansson (Swedish Committee for Afghanistan), Daria Davitti (Lund University), Richard Bennett, and Morten Koch Andersen, provided an opportunity for the Fellows to receive feedback from experts and refine their research direction. The workshop reinforced the collaborative spirit among the Fellows as they continue to contribute to the global discourse on Afghanistan’s human rights challenges. 

Brown Bag Lunch Presentation (27 August) 

During the Brown Bag Lunch presentation on 27 August, Latifa Jafari Alavi discussed her research on accountability and intersectionality in Afghanistan. She explored the failure of the deferral application under Article 18 of the Rome Statute to end impunity for international crimes due to political unwillingness and an ineffective judicial system. She also highlighted the multiple forms of discrimination minority women face in accessing maternal healthcare, examining how intersecting factors like gender, ethnicity, and economic status exacerbate inequalities. Her research, combining legal analysis and interviews, offered valuable insights into these complex issues. 

Social Activity: Visit to the Dag Hammarskjöld Museum (18 September) 

On 18 September, the Fellows visited the Dag Hammarskjöld Museum in Backåkra. While primarily a social activity, this visit offered a chance for the Fellows to bond and reflect on the legacy of one of the UN’s most revered figures in human rights and diplomacy. 

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