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Author: Devyani Rao
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: January 12, 2007
It's not often that you see a political leader cry. But Afghan President Hamid Karzai did. In front of scores of journalists, UN representatives and hundreds watching the broadcast of his speech, on the occasion of Human Rights Day.
Last year saw a rise in insurgency by the Taliban, not only in the south, but also in several other parts of the country, including Kabul. Almost 4,000 people died, including 1,000 civilians, which is the largest death toll caused by violence since the Taliban regime was ousted by American and British troops in late 2001 when they invaded Afghanistan in pursuit of Osama bin Laden following the 9/11 attacks.
Since then, Afghanistan has come some distance. It has an elected Government, a new Constitution and the sympathy of the international community which is providing aid in virtually every field. But the cost has been heavy and those who have suffered and continue to suffer the most are the Afghan people.
On Human Rights Day, their own President could not contain his emotions and frustration at how little he could do to protect the lives of his people. Karzai said that children are still dying in Afghanistan, not only in acts of terrorism, but also in counter-insurgency operations conducted by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is in charge of security in the country, under the command of NATO.
"This nation does not have the power to rescue itself. Neither can we tell the terrorists not to come from Pakistan, nor can we tell the coalition forces not to kill our children in the fight against terrorism,' he said, unable to hold back his tears.
Journalists in general, and I imagine especially in a place where tales of devastation and sadness are only too common, are quite resistant to succumbing to emotions. But many were moved to tears by Karzai's speech, which reflected a sincere sense of sadness and helplessness.
Helplessness because there is not all that much his Government can do to prevent what is going on and it must indeed be frustrating to watch innocent people being killed each day and not having the power to stop it. Not even as President of the country.
Karzai once again openly blamed Pakistan for not preventing terrorists from infiltrating, as he had done when the Pakistani Foreign Minister was in Kabul in December. He does tell them. But they don't listen. And therein lies the frustration at having your country's sovereignty violated.
I had sought the ISAF spokesman's comments on the death of innocent civilians in their air strikes and other anti-terrorism operations. He explained that it was just impossible to differentiate between a suicide bomber and an ordinary citizen driving towards their convoys and failing to obey their warnings to stop.
But, as an MP later said to me, how can they when 70 per cent of the population is illiterate and can't make head or tail of ISAF warnings? Many innocent lives have been lost in air raids by ISAF forces against suspected Taliban hideouts. Karzai mentioned one of them, which left a four-year-old girl paralysed.
People blame his Government, too, for failing to prevent such accidents from happening. Afghans have seen more than 30 years of violence and the hope that the 2001 invasion held out for a better future for them, is turning into doubt.
Over 70 per cent of Afghans suffer from some kind of mental disorder caused by years of living in a conflict environment. The majority are women suffering from depression.
It is hard to imagine that all this is happening so close to us and, in spite of it all, these people can still enjoy the little things of life, smile, and continue to hope.
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