

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 10KABUL677, NANGARHAR RULE OF LAW CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #10KABUL677.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10KABUL677 | 2010-02-24 06:12 | 2011-01-28 16:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Kabul |
VZCZCXRO1561
OO RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHBUL #0677/01 0550612
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 240612Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5828
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
250363
2010-02-24
10KABUL677
Embassy Kabul
CONFIDENTIAL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 000677
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS USAID FOR ASIA/SCAA
USFOR-A FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2020
TAGS: PGOV KDEM AF PK
SUBJECT: NANGARHAR RULE OF LAW CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
JUDICIAL SYSTEM,S PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Classified By: Interagency Provincial Affairs Deputy Director Hoyt Yee
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
¶1. (C) A two-day provincial justice conference in Nangarhar
February 1-2 brought national justice representatives
together with their Nangarhari counterparts to discuss
systemic justice challenges in the province. A small-group
format resulted in frank discussions of provincial government
corruption and dysfunction, with plenty of finger pointing
between line ministries. Lack of communication between
justice officials, lack of enforcement mechanisms for
judicial and ministerial decisions, lack of infrastructure
and resources, and fiercely territorial attitudes towards
cases (or prisoners) that offer the opportunity for large
bribes were identified as major challenges. Next steps
include more frequent and effective judicial coordination
meetings, creation of a Provincial Development Council (PDC)
technical working group, anti-corruption training and
application of enhanced pressure on all instruments of
government to press for judicial reform. Although the
conference highlighted serious problems with Nangarhar,s
justice system, the robust senior level attendance and
intensity of the dialogue suggests that many provincial
leaders want the justice system to function properly. End
summary.
GIROA Officials Present Provincial Perspective
--------------------------------------------- -
¶2. (C) More than 200 provincial justice officials gathered at
Nangarhar Governor Gul Agha Sherzai,s conference hall on
February 1-2 for a conference organized by PRT Nangarhar and
INL,s Justice Sector Support Program (JSSP). The two-day
event brought together national representatives from the
Ministry of Interior (MOI), Ministry of Justice (MOJ),
National Directorate of Security (NDS), Attorney General,s
office and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission
(AIHRC) with their Nangarhari counterparts to discuss
systemic justice issues, and possible solutions. Prominent
tribal and religious leaders, all 22 provincial
sub-governors, NGOs, and the deans of Nangarhar University,s
Sharia Law and Political Science faculties attended. The
first day involved brainstorming and breakout groups
(District Governors, Judges, MOJ and Corrections, Police,
Prosecutors, tribal leaders and human rights groups). Day
two consisted of presentations by the national-level
officials who chaired each group.
¶3. (C) The small group format resulted in an unusually candid
series of public exchanges among police, prosecutors and
judges, each of whom openly accused the others of corruption
and/or incompetence. At one point, the dialogue became so
animated that some provincial officials felt the need to
hijack the microphone (and the agenda) to defend their
reputations. Nangarhar,s Chief Prosecutor inadvertently
highlighted the impotence of the provincial justice system by
admitting that he had personally paid off squatters to leave
his property, rather than deal with the laborious process of
a lawsuit. The conference ended with a fiery speech from
Governor Sherzai condemning the inability of provincial
prosecutors and judges to convict criminals, and a frank
discussion of corruption by Shinwari tribal elder Malik
Usman, who laughingly admitted to having bribed district
governors and many other provincial justice officials in
attendance.
MOJ: A Failure to Communicate?
--------------------------------------------- -------
¶4. (C) Lack of justice sector coordination was the most
common complaint raised at the conference. The MOJ (which
runs the prison system) repeatedly cited arbitrary detention
policies, claiming that some prisoners are incarcerated
without trial for much longer than the nine-month legal
limit. Others are kept in jail despite acquittal at trial or
serving their full sentences - either because prosecutors or
judges fail to inform corrections officials of the
disposition of their cases, or because a monetary judgment
against the inmates could not be paid.
¶5. (C) Though the Huqoq department has lead responsibility
for property disputes, some participants noted that claimants
often go directly to district governors or the Ministry of
Agriculture,s property department for resolution. In cases
where land disputes lead to violence, the MOJ complained that
prosecutors often take over both the criminal case and the
underlying civil dispute. The MOJ lamented that in the rare
cases they are permitted to resolve, they are powerless to
KABUL 00000677 002 OF 003
enforce the decisions. The MOJ proposed criminalizing
land-grabbing so that police would enforce compliance. The
MOJ also expressed frustration with the Afghan Supreme
Court,s habit of reconsidering and revising its rulings in
property cases, leaving the MOJ (which is tasked with
enforcing the Supreme Court,s property decisions) to
re-apportion land previously allocated or sold in conformance
with the original holding.
¶6. (C) MOJ Deputy Minister Hashemzai noted the constitutional
guarantee of counsel for indigent defendants cannot be met
without more resources. Participants agreed that
international donor funding could resolve this issue, though
of course this raises questions of sustainability. Hashemzai
also delivered broad criticism of police, for detaining
prisoners in excess of 72 hours for the purpose of extracting
money from their families, and of prosecutors, for taking
bribes to dismiss cases, and for failing to move cases
through the system within the required month. The Deputy
Minister also criticized judges for inappropriately hearing
appeals of cases that received final judgments in trial
courts in accordance with the law.
Attorney General: Nothing Can Come of No Evidence
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶7. (C) Prosecutors noted that police rarely comply with legal
requirements to notify the Attorney General,s (AG,s) office
within 24 hours of detaining a suspect, and often keep
detainees well beyond the 72 hour statutory limit in order to
extract bribes. Prosecutors defensively claimed that their
own detainee releases are a result of insufficient evidence
received from police, and not because they have taken bribes.
They gave the specific example of an individual,
Zabibullah from Chaparahar district, who was detained by
police for possession of a special phone rigged to detonate
IEDs, but whose evidence packet lacked an actual phone.
Prosecutors also complained that police often failed to
comply with the requirement to bring along a prosecutor on
all search warrant executions. Prosecutors said that in
cases where suspects are released on a guarantee (the
Afghan equivalent of bail, using honor as collateral instead
of cash), police are unwilling to track down guarantors when
a defendant fails to appear for a hearing.
¶8. (C) In an unscheduled speech, Nangarhar Chief Prosecutor
Abdullah Qayum denied any coordination issues, claiming that
his office had no problems with the police. Qayum,s
speech, while rambling and at times incoherent, appeared to
be an attempt to distance himself from the criticism
articulated by his prosecutors of other ministries. He ended
by discussing the importance of resolving property disputes
in Nangarhar, inadvertently highlighting the impotence of
Nangarhar,s legal system by admitting that he had personally
paid off squatters to leave his property rather than deal
with the laborious process of a lawsuit.
Judges Also Frustrated
----------------------
¶9. (C) The judges were by far the most organized and
productive group at the conference. Justice Norzai, who
chaired the group, discussed widespread dissatisfaction with
the quality of evidence presented at trial, noting that even
basic evidence such as crime scene photographs or physical
evidence (i.e., guns or drugs) were rarely provided at trial.
Rather than request financial assistance for the judiciary,
the judges requested assistance in developing provincial
forensic capabilities, including equipment, facilities and
training for provincial crime scene investigators. The
current system requires evidence to be sent to Kabul for
forensic analysis, which results in frequent chain-of-custody
problems, numerous errors and huge delays in the trial
process.
¶10. (C) The judges also voiced frustration with their
inability to effect compliance with their decisions or compel
court appearances. If a witness does not appear in court
without justification, the Court is permitted to order the
police to accompany them to trial, and impose a 500 Afghani
fine. However, the judges explained that police seem
unwilling or unable to serve process on witnesses or
defendants, especially in tribal areas, and suggested
developing a program permitting local tribal leaders to
function as legal process servers (one who delivers or serves
legal documents to a defendant or individual involved in a
court case). Other issues raised by the judges included a
need for increased security for high-profile judges dealing
KABUL 00000677 003 OF 003
with sensitive cases and the widespread dearth of defense
counsel.
Comment: Next Steps
-------------------
¶11. (C) The conference succeeded in identifying key issues
impeding the rule of law in Nangarhar province. USG Rule of
Law Advisors plan to work with Afghan counterparts and the
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan to hold more
frequent and more effective judicial coordination meetings.
We will also work with Afghan officials to create a
Provincial Development Council (PDC) technical working group
on governance, rule of law and human rights, provide
anti-corruption training and apply pressure on all
instruments of government to reform. Although the conference
highlighted serious problems with Nangarhar,s justice
system, the robust senior level attendance and intensity of
the dialogue suggests that many provincial leaders want the
justice system to function properly.
RICCIARDONE