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| Afghanistan |
| Taliban unveils hardline Afghan constitution |
| 2007-09-29 |
| The Taliban has published a shadow Afghan constitution outlining an alternative hardline government to that of President Hamid Karzai. The 23-page document envisages a country where women would remain veiled and uneducated, "un-Islamic thought" would be banned and human rights would be ignored if "contrary with the teachings of Islam". The Constitution of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, comes days after the Defence Secretary, Des Browne, said that the Taliban will need to take a role in the peace process in Afghanistan. On freedom of speech the Taliban charter, which is written in Pashto and Dari, is clear: "Every Afghan has the right to express his feelings through his views, writings or through other means in accordance with the law." However "un-Islamic thought" is strictly forbidden and "violators will be punished according to sharia" - under the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic teachings. It provides for the education of women but only within the limits of sharia and stresses that the government will enforce compliance with Sharai Hejab - that women cover fully cover themselves. The document also stresses the importance of jihad as an obligation for every citizen. It offers the Taliban's support for the United Nations and upholds human rights - "until it is contrary with the teachings of Islam". "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wishes good working relations with all the neighbouring countries and specially those who have supported the Afghan nation during jihad," it adds. The greatest power is vested in an Emir-ul-Momineen, or leader of the faithful. Like its official Afghan counterpart, the constitution states that no law can "be contrary to Islamic sharia". The constitution was approved by the Taliban's central shura religious council, headed by Mullah Omer, in 2005 but it has not been made public until now. "The publication of the constitution is only to make sure every citizen of Afghanistan gets it in black and white," said Fath-ul-Kabir, a Taliban commander from Ghazni in Afghanistan. "This is first time the Taliban has clearly set out its aims," said Ahmed Rashid, the author of The Taliban. "Previously their only source of guidance was the Koran." Mr Karzai's calls for peace talks earlier this month were rejected by the Taliban, who called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the restoration of Islamic law. Mr Browne said on Monday that: "In Afghanistan, at some stage, the Taliban will need to be involved in the peace process because they are not going away any more than I suspect Hamas are going away from Palestine." But one of the 110 articles of the Taliban's constitution, which is bound as a 10 chapter booklet adorned with the Taliban insignia, stipulates that all other constitutions are void. President Karzai and the United Nations have stipulated that a key condition for peace talks is that the Taliban must accept the constitution that was signed by Mr Karzai in 2004. Washington rejects peace talks with the Taliban, maintaining that America will not negotiate with terrorists. |
| Posted by:mrp |
| #6 "un-Islamic thought" would be banned The word "delusional" springs to mind. It offers the Taliban's support for the United Nations and upholds human rights - "until it is contrary with the teachings of Islam". Which is essentially from the get-go. Mr Browne said on Monday that: "In Afghanistan, at some stage, the Taliban will need to be involved in the peace process because they are not going away any more than I suspect Hamas are going away from Palestine." I suspect that—in the name of job security—Mr. Browne does not want Hamas or the Taliban to go away. This, despite the fact that peace will only come once every last participant in Hamas and Taliban is stone cold dead. Browne seeks to legitimize their existance rather than summon up the courage to demand their eradication. Such moral flaccidity amounts to nothing more than tacit acceptance of jihad, genocide and anti-Semitism. But one of the 110 articles of the Taliban's constitution, which is bound as a 10 chapter booklet adorned with the Taliban insignia, stipulates that all other constitutions are void. President Karzai and the United Nations have stipulated that a key condition for peace talks is that the Taliban must accept the constitution that was signed by Mr Karzai in 2004. Thus obviating any need or use for "peace talks". What's more, there can be no such thing as "peace talks" with jihadists as the concept simply does not apply. Pandering to these barbaric psychos only increases their prestige and credibility within Afghan society thereby prolonging the misery that will continue until every last one of these savages are hunted down and killed. Karzai is very much like Musharraf in how he, too, is running with the foxes and hunting with the hounds. The fact that Afghanistan once again possesses a constitution perverted by shari'a law represents a fundamental failure in our application of military force against the Islamic world. It is by dint of this exact mistake that the Taliban retain even a shred of respectability. Treating with these killers as any sort of honorable combatants is a recipe for disaster. As a Muslim, Karzai knows this better than anyone and by doing so becomes a traitor to his people and the enemy of all civilized nations. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-09-29 17:36 |
| #5 This document should be used in comparison whenever the argument is made that America should help Karzai's governemnt because there constistitution establishes an Islamic state. There are Islamic states and there are Islamic states. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2007-09-29 13:01 |
| #4 They have a wonderful PR department. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2007-09-29 11:17 |
| #3 ...and no staring at Blinky's eye. He doesn't...like it. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-09-29 10:12 |
| #2 We the Turbans, in order to form a more perfect Caliphate, establish Jihad and restore the domestic Submission, provide for the common Resistance, and promote the five Pillars of Islam, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2007-09-29 09:31 |
| #1 it's useful when the small-brained rustics actually put their positions to paper, so you can remember exactly why they were so despicable when they were in charge. This oughtta remind those who wish to reintegrate the Taliban back into Afghan society why it was such a f*ckup in the first place. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-09-29 07:30 |