Conflict and vulnerable groups
The cost of war: Afghan experiences of conflict, 1978-2009
What are the Afghan peoples' experiences of conflict?
Authors:
A. Jackson
Publisher:
Oxfam, 2009
The conflict in Afghanistan is the preeminent international ‘war effort’ and as such the subject of intense media interest. However, the violence that the Afghan populace have to currently endure has been a constant for the past three decades. Successive waves of Soviet, Afghan Mujhadeen, Taleban and (controversially) NATO forces have meted out an inordinate amount of suffering. Yet, research has focused largely on the machinations of post-conflict recovery – Security Sector Reform etc. – or offered political analyses of the Afghan state. The effects of 30 years of war on the Afghans themselves have been largely absent, notwithstanding that a generation has grown up never knowing peace.
This paper aims to redress the balance by presenting the findings of a comprehensive survey of Afghans’ experiences and understanding of the conflict. Interviews and group discussions were conducted in 14 provinces across the country by eight NGOs operating in Afghanistan. Findings include:
- Approximately two in five (43%) individuals reported having property destroyed, a quarter (25%) land destroyed and one in three (34%) were robbed during the conflict
- Three in four people (76%) reported being forced to leave their homes at some point during the conflict. Many individuals were displaced multiple times
- More than one in ten (13%) individuals reported being imprisoned. Detention was most often described as arbitrary and linked with harassment, extortion and threats
- One in five (21%) of individuals reported being tortured. Roughly half of the reported cases of torture were linked with imprisonment and most often, torture was driven by perceived ethnicity or political affiliations
- Seven in ten (70%) individuals saw unemployment and poverty as a major cause of the conflict, while almost half (48%) pointed to the corruption and ineffectiveness of the Afghan government.
Based on the views expressed and the ideas proposed by individuals interviewed, the following steps are recommended to address the causes of conflict and ensure greater protection of civilians. These include:
- To the Afghan Government: take serious steps to establish the rule of law at all levels, crack down on corruption and end the culture of impunity and patronage
- To the International Community: commit and deliver not just more aid, but more effective aid for humanitarian, reconstruction and development activities throughout the country. Provide strong support for local peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives, led by civil society
- To Pro-Government Forces: do more to protect civilians, including tightening restrictions on the use of force. Ensure respect for Afghan culture, history and traditions
- To Anti-Government Elements: immediately discontinue the targeting of civilians and taking refuge in populated civilian areas. Express grievances and demands through political dialogue rather than violence.
