- Security
Security
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GICHD: The Humanitarian & developmental impact of anti-vehicle mines, October 2014
Anti-vehicle mines (AVMs) are as indiscriminate as anti-personnel mines (APMs) and constitute the source of many casualties. As the international community explores the possible options for further legal regulation of AVMs, there is a need for more rigorous analysis of the impact of anti-vehicle mines on civilians and developing societies that are either in the midst of or recovering from conflict.To bridge this gap, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) undertook a study to document the humanitarian and developmental impact of anti-vehicle mines. Their report includes Afghanistan as one of three case-studies.
AVM-study-Sep2014.pdf -
Salah: Civil society recommendations for the NATO Summit 2014, September 2014
These recommendations reflect civil society concerns over the imminent withdrawal of international combat troops, the restricted capacity of the Afghan security forces, and issues relating to their accountability. Salah is a consortium of 8 Afghan civil society organisations focused on policy and advocacy for promoting peace and security.
Afghanistan Peace and Security - SALAH 3.pdf -
APPRO: Monitoring Women's Security in Transition, September 2014
This series of studies explores the impact on Afghan women of the ongoing security transition from international security forces to their national counterparts. In particular it monitors their overall security, mobility and access to public life, access to services (Health and Education), access to justice and the themes of violence against women and women & current affairs.The research has been conducted by APPRO - Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organisation - and has been commissioned by AWN - the Afghan Women's Network - and Cordaid for their outreach and advocacy uses. A baseline study conducted in June 2013 was followed by a Cycle 2 report in October 2013 and a Cycle 3 report in June 2014.
AWN Monitoring_Womens_Security_in_Transition_June_2013_baseline_report.pdf, AWN Monitoring_Womens_Security_in_Transition_Cycle 2 report Oct 2013.pdf, AWN Monitoring_Womens_Security_in_Transition_Cycle 3 report Jun 2014.pdf -
Report of the UN Secretary General to the Security Council, September 2014
The 3 month reporting period to end of August 2014 saw a focus on the 2nd round of presidential elections. Following the initial count of votes, numerous allegations of fraud were reported, the 2 nominees became fixed in an impasse and a total audit of the votes was ordered. The UN, Senator Kerry of the US and others stepped in to attempt to smooth the process. During this period, the security situation did not improve, with insurgents taking advantage of the political vacuum and peace talks grinding to a halt. In addition, some 13,000 families fled military operations in Pakistan, taking refuge in Khost and Paktika provinces.
SG Report to the GASC Sept 2014.pdf -
UNAMA: Mid Year Report, Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, July 2014
UNAMA's half year report highlights a worrying 24% increase in civilian casualties compared to the same period (January to June) in 2013. They report an increase in the frequency and intensity of ground engagements, which have particularly targeted heavily populated civilian centres. The number of child casualties increased by 34%.The Taliban publicly claimed responsibility for 147 attacks that resulted in 553 civilian casualties. While Taliban fighters appeared to direct 76 of these attacks at military targets that indiscriminately harmed civilians, 69 attacks deliberately targeted civilians including tribal elders, civilian Government and justice sector employees, and civilians in restaurants. Attacks which fail to distinguish between a military and civilian objective and attacks that deliberately target civilians are serious violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.
UNAMA Protection of Civilians MYR Jul 2014.pdf -
GCPEA: Protecting Education Personnel from Targeted Attack in Conflict-Affected Countries, July 2014
The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack's report describes how teachers have been targeted around the world and documents various ways communities have tried to keep them safe. Afghanistan features heavily in the report, where attacks on education personnel are ongoing.
protecting_education_personnel.pdf -
NATO: Response from the Secretary General to ENNA & BAAGs letter, July 2014
In June, ENNA (the European Network of NGOs in Afghanistan) and BAAG wrote to the Secretary General of NATO on their recommendations ahead of the September 2014 NATO Summit. The attached response from Ander Fogh Rasmussen was received in July. In it, he states his agreement that forming a permanent position for the currently temporary Special Representative for Women, Peace & Security is a priority. He also refers to the development of the UNSCR 1325 Action Plan, and to the progress made by the ISAF Gender Adviser since her deployment in April.
NATO response to ENNA Summit letter July14.pdf -
Report of the UN Secretary General to the Security Council, June 2014
The Secretary Generals rquarterly report to the General Assembly Security Council covers the period early March - June 2014, during which the first round of voting in the Afghan elections took centre stage. His report also reflects on the security situation which saw a 22% increase in security incidents compared to the same period in 2013 - a rise he puts down to the Taliban's efforts to disrupt the elections. Other comments include human rights violations, the passing of the Criminal Procedure Code (including its contraversial Article 26) and the flooding crises affecting the north of the country.
SG Report to the GASC June 2014.pdf -
ENNA & BAAG: Women's security in Afghanistan - Recommendations to NATO, June 2014
BAAG partnered with ENNA - the European Network of NGOs in Afghanistan - to provide recommendations ahead of the NATO Summit planned for September 2014 and the Foreign Ministers meeting in June. Progress in women’s rights in Afghanistan represents a key indicator of change that lays the foundations of an inclusive, democratic and peaceful society. Advances in women’s rights and participation – in education, employment, public life and other spheres – are primarily an achievement of Afghans themselves. Yet, NATO and the international community at large continue to have a critical role to play – as well as responsibilities – to ensure that these hard-won and still fragile gains are consolidated and expanded. ENNA, BAAG and their members provide recommendations to ensure that preparations for the NATO summit are effectively informed by the analysis and experience of both international and Afghan civil society organisations (CSOs), and to outline actions and outcomes that NATO should prioritise, so that their strategies to promote the rights of Afghan women and girls and participation of Afghan women are successful and sustainable.
Joint Recommendations BAAG ENNA to NATO -June 2014.pdf -
NATO: Action plan for the implementation of policy on Women, Peace & Security, June 2014
NATO and its partners are committed to implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, adopted in October 2000. UNSCR 1325 recognises the disproportionate impact that war and conflicts have on women and children, and highlights the fact that women have been historically left out of peace processes and stabilisation efforts.On 25th June 2014 they released, for the first time, an Action Plan for the implementation of the NATO/EAPC Policy on Women, Peace and Security. The intent is to reduce barriers for the active and meaningful participation of women in defence and security institutions, operations, missions and crisis management.Key action areas include the further integration of a gender perspective in the areas of arms control, building integrity, children in armed conflict, counter-terrorism and human trafficking. This will be complemented by the development of military guidelines and appropriate reporting mechanisms to prevent and mitigate conflict related sexual and gender-based violence. Afghanistan participated actively in the development of the Action Plan.
NATO EAPC-wps-action-plan.pdf -
FCO: UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security, June 2014
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office's 3rd National Action Plan was launched at the Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict Summit in London. The NAP reflects the government's aim to put women in a central role in the prevention and resolution of conflict. With Afghanistan as a priority country, the outputs and activities will help support meaningful results for women in the government's programmes and those of their partners.
UK 2014-17_NAP Women Peace Security.pdf -
Report of the Secretary General on children and armed conflict, May 2014
The UN Secretary General's report to the Security Council highlights a 30% increase in child casualties in 2013. The situation in Afghanistan (from page 5 onwards) includes the targetting of children in schools, recruitment of child soldiers and suicide bombers and sexual violence against boys and girls perpetrated by anti and pro-Government forces.
SG report on children & armed conflict May 2014.pdf -
International Crisis Group: Afghanistan's Insurgency after the Transition, May 2014
In their latest report on Afghanistan, the International Crisis Group examine the security challenges in light of the international troop withdrawal, analysing in detail the situation in the four provinces of Faryab, Kunar, Paktia and Kandahar. Findings and recommendations include concerns that donor's current plans to support the Afghan security forces are insufficient but that a post-transition government may have better prospects for reviving peace talks.
Intl Crisis Gp-afghanistan-s-insurgency-after-the-transition.pdf -
HRW: Under Attack - Violence against health workers, patients & facilities, May 2014
Human Rights Watch and the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition report on the unacceptable attacks on those offering health support in conflict zones. The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) identified 1,809 specific incidents of violence targetting health workers or facilities in 2012-2013. In Afghanistan (page 17), dozens of attacks - including deaths - were reported in 2013. As elsewhere, these attacks do not just affect the communities using those local facilities - they affect the wider population when health operations have to be suspended or curtailed, or when health workers are reluctant to work in insecure areas.
HRW Under Attack - violence health workers May14.pdf -
New American Foundation: Strategic Empathy, April 2014
This report presents the argument that US policy in Afghanistan has failed partly due to a lack of understanding of - or 'empathy' with - both the Taliban and the Afghan government. In approaching the Taliban as a 'threat to the West' rather than as an internally-focused group driven by numerous ideologies, including their resistance to US 'invaders', the US has in many instances exacerbated the problem rather than alleviated or eliminated it.
New America Foundation Strategic Empathy.pdf