Afghanistan Human Development Report 2007 Launched in the U.S.
Weak rule of law hinders human development in Afghanistan
U Newnited Nations, York, 26 September 2007-In Afghanistan, " the justice system must be rebuilt in a way that bridges modern and traditional justice institutions, protects citizens' rights and strengthens rule of law, a pivotal step in Afghanistan's march to successful political transition and development". This is a key recommendation of the Afghanistan National Human Development Report 2007, unveiled in New York on 26 September during the 62nd UN General Assembly.
'Bridging Modernity and Tradition: Rule of Law and the Search for Justice' is the second National Human Development Report (NHDR) for Afghanistan. Prepared by an independent team of authors with support of UNDP, the Report explores the importance of rule of law to human development in the country. It identifies severe shortfalls in human and material resources in the formal justice system and calls for it to be strengthened for more effective dispute settlement. It makes a strong case for a "hybrid model of Afghan justice" with traditional systems of dispute settlement - jirgas and shuras - complementing the formal justice system.
"In analyzing the challenges of human development and the rule of law, this Report advocates a bold and creative approach to strengthening the justice institutions in Afghanistan," said Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, in a statement read during the launch. "While remaining committed to universal principles of human rights and Afghan laws, we believe that the state and traditional justice bodies working together can help make justice and the rule of law more readily available to Afghans."
Afghanistan has adapted the globally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which include halving the number of people living in extreme poverty and hunger, to nine Afghan MDGs. Since 2002, the country has maintained a steady growth rate and is likely to achieve its poverty goal by 2020. The picture, however, is disappointing for most of the other goals. Some 6.6 million-or one third of Afghans-do not have enough food to eat. Close to half the population sees itself as food insecure.