Актуальные проблемы Европы №3 / 2013

The EU believes that the development of a democratic parliamentary party system offers the best representative political model to facilitate debate and ensure the accountability of executive power to the people, including those living in remote rural areas. Forty percent of the EU budget is dedicated to supporting Governance and Rule of Law improvements in Afghanistan. In addition to policing and elections, the EU supports reforms in the public administration, to build better institutions able to deliver high quality services for the people of Afghanistan.

Human rights, in particular for women, children and minorities

Despite all the efforts of the past decade, human rights violations remain an ever present reality for many Afghans. This is most pronounced among the country's most vulnerable, in particular women.

Because the EU is committed to universal human rights as one of our fundamental values, which is a guiding principle of our external relations, it is actively promoting human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy at all levels in Afghanistan, with a focus on supporting human rights defenders, improving women's rights, promoting freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and the rights of children. The EU is especially committed to promoting and protecting women’s rights. It is assisting the government and civil society to act against violence against women, challenge early and forced marriages, and provide safe shelter for those in need.

Moreover, it is still of the utmost importance to increase public awareness on the importance of respecting people's human rights. It is essential that people are aware that the lack of justice, education and prevailing negative cultural practices have a direct negative effect on the realisation of human rights, especially for women and girls. Increased public awareness can also help to push the government to comply with its national and international human rights obligations. The EU itself therefore encourages the government to ensure proper and faster implementation of all key international human rights treaties ratified by Afghanistan.

The EU recognises the key role of civil society in promoting human rights, gender and democracy, and in consolidating political participation and representation. For example, the EU funded Family Guidance Centres and shelters provide relief to victims of violence and abuse, including crimes such as rape, human trafficking, underage and forced marriage, exchange of women and girls to settle disputes (known as baad), and those threatened by honour killings. The centres help women with violent husbands, support women and girls facing prison sentences fleeing abusive situations, and assist girls as young as nine who have been sold as brides to men of all ages.

Another example is the EU's support in protecting and defending the rights of children at risk, particularly street and working children. Decades of conflict have led to widespread displacement throughout the country. The high number of returning refugees, internally displaced people and labour flows from rural Afghanistan has also led to the setting up of homes in informal, unplanned settlements on the outskirts of cities. High levels of poverty within these urban settlements force many children onto the streets to help support their family. Educating children is the first step towards reintegrating them into society thus the goal of this project has been to give them a stronger voice, through vocational training and attending state-run schools. The EU's goal is therefore to provide vulnerable children with a basic education and to ensure continuation of education after the attendance of the EU funded centres.

On human rights, the EU realises that it is necessary to take a long term approach, recognising the long lasting significance of apparently only small improvements.

Better health and livelihoods for all Afghans

In 2001, Afghanistan's health indicators were the worst in the world. The Afghan government, supported by donors, in particular USAID, the World Bank and the European Union, has overseen real progress indicating that Afghans are living longer, more women have access to medical care during pregnancy and childbirth and more children survive to reach their fifth birthday.

For example, access to primary health care services has increased from less than 10 percent in 2002 to around 65 percent now. The infant mortality rate has decreased from 257/1000 live births in 2000 to 97/1000 live births in 2010, according to a 2010 nation wide survey. According to the same survey, the maternal mortality rate decreased from 1600/100 000 in 2008–2009 to 372/100 000 two years later. Of course, this is still unacceptably high and the EU will continue to work with the Afghan government to improve the health of all Afghans.