Afghanistan: Don’t Sell Out Women’s Rights in DC Talks

[cory777]

Source: Human Rights Watch

(New York) - President Hamid Karzai and President Barack Obama should pledge at their meeting in Washington on May 11, 2010, not to sacrifice women's rights in any deals with the Taliban and other insurgent groups, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch urged both leaders to promote greater accountability for abuses in Afghanistan. President Karzai should act to remove corrupt and abusive officials from power and take steps to end widespread impunity. While US forces have adopted measures to reduce civilian casualties during combat operations, they have only been partially effective. President Obama should ensure that incidents involving civilian loss of life result in credible and transparent investigations that result in appropriate disciplinary action, Human Rights Watch said.

"The Washington meeting is critical for Karzai and Obama to move from words to action on protecting women's rights, getting rid of warlords, and fighting corruption," said Rachel Reid, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch. "There have been many meetings full of lofty rhetoric about rights, but far too little action. Afghans are impatient for change."

Read more: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/05/10/afghanistan-don-t-sell-out-women-s-rights-dc-talks

[Chulanowa]

1. Considering we can't even get a gender equality amendment passed, much less ratified...

I wish the best of luck to the Afghans.