Women's Political and Civil Rights in Afghanistan Co-ordinator: Joan Ruddock MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
T: +44 020 7219 4513 F: +44 020 7219 6045
Email: alexanderh@parliament.uk
The Bonn Agreement looks forward to "the establishment of a broad-based, gender sensitive, multi-ethnic and fully representative government in Afghanistan". Given the involvement of the international community in funding the implementation of this Agreement, we have a responsibility to ensure that the process of government and state building meets international standards and commitments over women's rights.
As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Afghanistan is committed to the participation of women on equal terms with men and the implementation of necessary affirmative action measures. Precedents from other post conflict situations and emerging democracies have established a "norm" of 30% gender parity, where neither sex holds more than 70% of the seats in the administration.
We the undersigned call on the UN Secretary General, his Special Representative in Afghanistan and members of the Interim Authority of Afghanistan to:
- Recognise that women make up more than 50% of the population; their civil rights have been denied and special measures are now required to restore them.
- Have regard to the call from Dr Sima Samar, Minister for Women's Affairs, for a minimum of 25% representation of women and therefore to
- Adopt at least 25% reserved places for women in the Transitional Authority (including appointments to senior posts) to be established by the Emergency Loya Jirga in June
- Require everyone appointed to the Transitional Authority to sign a personal declaration which specifically includes respect for women's rights.
SEND TO:
Mr Lakhdar BRAHIMI- Special Representative of the Secretary General for Afghanistan, United Nations HQ New York, NY 10017 (email: brahimi@un.org)
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