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| Justice system improving in Helmand |
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| KABUL (PAN): It used to be that people arrested in the districts of Musa Qala and Sangin could be held indefinitely without trial or justice. Now, local shuras can look at the evidence for each case, and dispense local justice for minor crimes.
If people are arrested for minor offences with insufficient evidence, then they'll be released. For more serious crimes, they'll be passed to the Government justice system.
In the district town of Gereshk too in central Helmand, local shuras are forming to improve justice and security in the communities and help solve community disputes. Government support for Councils of Elders and other support groups serves to strengthen and build links between the Government and local communities, and oversee customary law.
This is a great improvement, and helps to spread the responsibility for local rule of law in local communities, as well as providing a better alternative to Taleban justice.
Daad Mohammad, Acting District Governor of Musa Qala said 'I am very satisfied with the new system and happy to act on and implement the recommendations of the Musa Qala Justice Shura'.
The justice system in Helmand is also for the first time supporting women and children, two of the most vulnerable members of Afghan society and often the victims of injustice.
The Women and Children Justice Group creates programmes to help women and children who are the victims of crime, and to promote their rights. The Justice Group was established in August 2008 and has 14 women as its members, all of whom are prominent in their community.
One ongoing initiative overseen by the group is providing literacy and practical skills for women and children in Lashkar Gah prison. This is made possible with support from the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), which includes the provision of carpet weaving machines, sewing machines and other equipment. |
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