Military

DATE=3/26/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N / AFGHAN HUMAN RIGHTS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-288053

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A U-N official says money is needed to provide security in Afghanistan. U-N special investigator Kamal Hossain says the money will be used to expand the International Security Assistance Force and to develop an Afghan national police force. Lisa Schlein has more from Geneva.

TEXT: In a report just submitted to the Human Rights Commission, Kamal Hossain says the interim government's most important task is to create a police force and independent judiciary so the rule of the law can replace the rule of the gun.

The special investigator says the Afghan government must create an environment in which people can live free of fear.

/// HOSSAIN ACT ///

The first priority in terms of restoring human rights is security, because any kind of a vacuum where the instruments of law enforcement are not in place is where persons feel a sense of fear and insecurity. And, I think, there is no doubt that today all Afghans would tell you that what we want is a sense of security.

/// END ACT ///

The report documents many cases of violent crimes in Afghanistan. It says crimes go unpunished because there is no nationwide police force to catch and prosecute perpetrators.

Mr. Hossain says the capital Kabul and surrounding areas enjoy a high degree of stability because nearly five-thousand international peacekeepers are stationed there. To make the rest of the country safer, the special investigator says the interim government would like the force to be expanded to between 20-thousand and 30 thousand.

/// 2ND HOSSAIN ACT ///

So much (is) going to be at stake if a modest request for say 10 to 20-thousand international security support force is not urgently and immediately made available to stabilize the environment, to allow this democratic process to move forward. There is no other feasible option.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Hossain says a society cannot build enduring peace and stability when crimes are not punished. (SIGNED)

NEB/LS/KL/RAE