U.S.-Backed Warlords Big Threat to Afghan Elections (article)

[MsMagnificent]

(I was going to post this under breaking news, perhaps it fits better here :)

http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25669


Insufficient security forces and a lack of election observers, combined with regional warlords backed by the United States, continue to threaten the upcoming presidential election in Afghanistan, says a new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

WASHINGTON, Sep 29 (IPS) - Insufficient security forces and a lack of election observers, combined with regional warlords backed by the United States, continue to threaten the upcoming presidential election in Afghanistan, says a new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Local citizens feel the warlords pose a greater threat to their safety than forces of the former ruling Taliban, which was ousted by U.S. soldiers after the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, adds the report by the U.S.-based group.

Remnants of the Taliban, which harboured the al-Qaeda terrorists who committed the U.S. attacks, have remained in hiding in Afghanistan's remote mountainous regions and recently carried out a number of deadly attacks.

The 52-page HRW report, 'The Rule of the Gun: Human Rights Abuses and Political Repression in the Run-Up to Afghanistan's Presidential Election,' says the international community, and countries of NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) in particular, should vastly increase the number of troops in Afghanistan to ensure security for the elections.

It also complains that there are far too few international observers to monitor polls and give confidence to voters that their ballots will be secret than are needed.

"Amazingly, because of the inadequate forces, current security plans for the presidential election include the use of deputised warlords of factional forces to guard polling stations -- the very people Afghans say they're most afraid of," the report noted, adding that U.S. officials closely involved with election preparations "appear to be complacent," believing "democracy is now on the horizon."

It adds that continuing human rights abuses are fuelling a pervasive atmosphere of repression and fear in many parts of the country, and that voters in many regions do not appear to understand the ballot or have faith in its secrecy, particularly in the face of pressure from militia factions.

"The warlords are still calling the shots," said Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director. "Many voters in rural areas say the militias have already told them how to vote, and that they're afraid of disobeying them. Activists and political organisers who oppose the warlords fear for their lives," he added in the report.


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