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Expert Narratives

Shukria Haidar: “I was forced to leave my country”

Unveiling Afghanistan Campaign: Shukria Haidar is a human rights activist. She sought refuge in France following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and founded NEGAR, an association for the defence of women’s rights, after the Taliban seized control in 1996.

Thursday 6 February 2014

“Unveiling Afghanistan, the Unheard Voices of Progress” Campaign

“Unveiling Afghanistan” is a campaign by Armanshahr & FIDH, in advance of April 2014 elections in Afghanistan. Over 100 days, 100 influential social, political, & cultural actors hope to spark conversation about building a society inclusive of women’s and human rights. Follow the Armanshahr Campaign on this site.

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Ahmad Wali Massoud: “Those who look to the past cannot plan our future”

Unveiling Afghanistan Campaign: Ahmad Wali Massoud is a prominent Afghan politician and head of the Massoud Foundation. He is the younger brother of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the resistance figure against the Soviet occupation and the Taliban who was assassinated.

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Afghanistan Detentions Working Group on Bagram detainee release

Statement by Afghanistan Detentions Working Group (DWG) expressing concerns regarding President Karzai’s proposed release of up to 86 detainees currently being held by the Afghan government at Bagram detention cente.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Azita Rafa’t: “It was the day when 10,000 rockets hit the city”

Unveiling Afghanistan Campaign: Azita Rafa’at is a human and women’s rights activist from Badghis province. She was a people’s representative in the Emergency Loya Jirga to elect the transitional administration in 2002

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Kaweh Jobran: “Allow me not to wish for my daughter”

Unveiling Afghanistan Campaign: Kaweh Jobran is a professor in literature in the State University in Kapisa province and works as a journalist with national and international media based from Kabul. A published poet and essayist, he is an active blogger and influential young thinker.

Monday 3 February 2014

Dr Sima Samar: “Human rights have a value now in Afghanistan”

Dr Sima Samar is the current Chairperson of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. A doctor by training, Samar spent a decade in exile in Pakistan.

Friday 31 January 2014

Rahnavard Zaryab: “We are not free to think here”

unveiling Afghanistan Campaign: Rahnavard Zaryab is an influential Afghan writer and scholar. He was imprisoned during the Taraki era in 1978/79. His work has brought him into extensive contact with democratic countries. He advocates for democracy and ideological freedom in Afghanistan.

Thursday 30 January 2014

FIDH – Armanshahr/OPEN ASIA Joint press release: Launch of the Campaign “Unveiling Afghanistan”

Kabul, Paris, 28 January 2014. FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights – Armanshahr/OPEN ASIA; Joint press release. Launch of the Campaign “Unveiling Afghanistan: The Unheard Voices of Progress”

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Humaira Qaderi: “When are you going to burn yourself?”

Dr Humaira Qaderi is a writer and women’s rights activist. She was a teenager during the years of the Taliban, when girls were forbidden from going to school and libraries were closed.

Wednesday 29 January 2014