Afghanistan's Revival a 'Blueprint for Democracy'
RFE/RL Press Releases
02/05/2004
(Washington D.C--February 5, 2004) Afghanistan
believes that its new constitution and impressive results on
the path of democracy and state-building are proof that the
country will "provide the future blueprint for democracy
in similar societies", said Afghanistan's Ambassador to
the United States, Said Tayeb Jawad, while speaking at a RFE/RL
briefing last week. According to the ambassador, the adoption
of the new constitution demonstrates that "the tradition
and values of Islam can be compatible with, and mutually reinforcing
of an open democracy."
Jawad stated that the constitution is the "
most progressive charter in the region" and "will
emerge as a model" due to its system of checks and balances
between the presidency and parliament, separation of powers,
and respect for moderate and traditional values, women's rights,
international human rights standards, and provincial powers.
The constitution was adopted after three weeks of intense debate
by 502 Afghan delegates -- "from all walks of life"
-- gathered at the Constitutional "Loya Jirga" or
Afghan Grand Council. Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman
Hamid Karzai signed the new constitution into law on January
25, 2004.
During his presentation, Jawad outlined major
points of the constitution such as a strong central executive
branch, which will be headed by a strong president elected by
a direct majority vote for a 5-year term, balanced by a legislative
branch that will have extensive powers of "inquiry"
or oversight. Jawad emphasized the required 25 percent quota
for female delegates to the parliament, saying "such a
high quota for women is rare in most countries, both Muslim
and non-Muslim" and "these numbers should be inspiring
for women in the west." An Afghan civil law system and
independent judiciary have been institutionalized, he said,
thus protecting religious freedoms and prohibiting the rise
of "a party based on ethnicity, language, [or] an Islamic
School of Thought." Jawad also discussed the right to lease
and the protection of intellectual property rights, which have
been extended to foreign and domestic investors: "This
protection exists in the constitutions of a few countries."
Jawad commented on the "enormous" challenges
his country still faces: continued state-building, preparation
for elections and political transition, and security challenges
created by terrorism and the narcotics trade. He pointed out
that "the next milestone for the people of Afghanistan
will be the implementation of the new constitution" and
"setting the stage for free and fair elections." The
ambassador called for help in funding, resources, and continued
engagement by the United States and international community,
noting that the partnership between the people of Afghanistan
and the international community will have a meaningful impact
on the "global war against terror" and his country
will serve as "a center for the cooperation of civilizations."
To hear archived audio for this and other RFE/RL
briefings and events, please visit our website at www.regionalanalysis.org.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international
communications service to Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Russia,
the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia,
funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of
Governors.
