USAID/Jean Garland

A group of children who participated in the awareness-raising celebration focusing on civic education, rule of law, and justice.

In honor of International Human Rights Day, high-ranking U.S and Afghan government representatives held a celebration event featuring roundtable discussions on “Human Rights and Justice in Afghanistan in 2011.” The Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan organized the event through a grant provided by USAID-funded Formal Rule of Law Stabilization Program.

Special guest participants included Bibi Hakmeena, a Provincial Council member from Khost Province, who brought a unique perspective on human rights and justice from a rural Afghan and female point of view.

With both informal and formal justice representatives in attendance, the roundtable discussions created solid working relationships between the sectors, ensuring that whenever an Afghan seeks justice, human rights will be respected. Members of the Supreme Court, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, Afghan Women Judges Association, and the National Maliks Association also attended the discussion. “The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) continues to support Afghan officials in their struggle for peace, justice, and the rule of law in their country,” said Maura Barry, Acting Director of USAID Democracy and Governance Office.

The event also featured an awareness-raising celebration for young school children focusing on civic education, rule of law, and justice for the next generation of Afghanistan’s leaders. The activities focused on the process of developing and instilling respect for human rights at an early age, and building a more responsible and informed future populace. Activities such as sing-alongs, role-playing vignettes, and coloring contests took place to raise awareness among children.

USAID helps develop the human and institutional capacity of the justice sector, increase the public’s access to justice, and promote the public’s demand for a robust rule of law environment in Afghanistan.

2011.12.13 Press Release International Human Rights English

2011.12.13 Press Release International Human Rights Dari

2011.12.13 Press Release International Human Rights Pashto