Page 7 - Empowerment and Protection - Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN
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political structures, and so it is always imposed on them. As long as locals are not allowed to shape their government then these structures of insecurity will continue to exist.”
Corruption and injustice
Corruption is a symptom and an outcome of a weak government that adversely affects a country’s economy, public trust in the institutions, and respect for the rule of law. The continuation of patronage systems in Afghanistan is perceived to hinder the government’s ability to fully exercise
all its functions. The sentiment is that some
people benefit from the state of insecurity as
it has created an environment where nepotism
and patronage systems flourish. Ahmad Shah,
a 63-year-old resident of Nangahar province, comments, “Corruption and no peace are factors
“I constantly live
in fear that my comments may make me a target of the government or other groups who do not agree with me.”
government because it cannot provide fundamental rights and justice, according to Wadir Safi, an ethnic Pashtun teaching at Kabul University. “No access to one’s basic rights is the most important driver of my insecurity. [There] is no justice, people can't enjoy their basic rights.” In addition, Wadir points out that “lack of rule of law and injustice is another very important contributor to insecurity because even though we now have a Constitution, which has enshrined our rights in practice, I do not enjoy these rights because of the prevalence of corruption.”
Balancing traditionalism and modernity
Many interviewees discuss orthodox and conservative attitudes and longstanding socio- political structures as factors contributing to their insecurity. Abdul Hamid Ansary is an ethnic 26-year- old Tajik who owns and operates a shop in Kabul. He puts it this way, “The main issues I am worried about are our government and people’s old ways of thinking. These issues originate mostly from a lack of education and no awareness. [It] makes me feel most insecure because people are not transforming their mind-sets and that’s why issues like ethnic differences continue to disrupt our society.”
Some point to a growing chasm between the conservative and progressive or modern segments
of society. Limited opportunities in education and employment in the last twelve years has led to a growing class of progressive and modern thinkers
in Afghanistan who feel they cannot freely express their views without being judged by others. Khalid, a 36-year-old Pashtun from Kabul who works as a legal advisor, says, “We have difficulties with the various
f20 storIes of HuMAn securIty | AfgHAniStAn HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
INDEX 2013
adding to my insecurity and this is mainly a result
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of our corrupt government. No matter which government office you go to, you are faced with these issues and it’s very discouraging.”
“These political leaders are not serious about solving people’s problems; they are just working for their
own benefits.”
Interviewees are particularly vocal about their disapproval of authorities who are unaccountable, such as (former) warlords and police. “Warlords in the government and the police force are the greatest contributors to my insecurity. I feel
that these issues are due to old traditions. [...] Their power makes everyone in this country feel uncomfortable. Also, the police are unprofessional and they don’t feel the need to be accountable to the public, so as a common man I fear the police,” says Asadullah, a 38-year-old professor in Kabul. Many of those interviewed lack trust in the