11.2004 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Former members of the KHAD and the PDPA ("The political conditions, the security and human rights situation in Afghanistan; Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul, Afghanistan 20 March – 2 April 2004") [#27424],  [ID 1028]

"The UNHCR explained that many former and highly placed members of the PDPA work for the present government without experiencing serious problems. The UNHCR was of the opinion that being an ex-PDPA member is not in itself regarded as a problem in Afghanistan today. Regarding the question as to whether a person from the former PDPA or KHAD runs the risk of any form of persecution depends on whether he, in the course of his activities for the PDPA or KHAD, has had concrete conflicts with or has come in opposition to people who are in power at the present time.
The UNHCR explained that from March to December in 2003, the organization had not received reports on harassment or persecution of former members of the PDPA who had repatriated after the fall of the Taliban. However, the UNHCR pointed out that members, known by the organization, who had returned were not highly placed members of the PDPA. The UNHCR did not know of any former members of the KHAD who have returned.
The UNAMA was of the opinion that former members of the PDPA who did not have a high profile could settle in Afghanistan. However, the source found that ex-members of the PDPA would find it difficult to reorganize politically in an organization with a communist ideology without experiencing some form of harassment. The degree of harassment according to the source depends on the history of the person. The source had the impression that the political environment in Afghanistan currently is not open to all political viewpoints. The source stated that in this connection personal conflicts are more important than political conflicts.
The source mentioned a case in which a former employee of the KHAD had returned to Afghanistan and was now working for the security forces. The person has complained that powerful individuals have threatened him, persons he in his previous position had been investigating. He had allegedly been stopped in the street and threatened into silence.
The ICG was of the opinion that whether an ex-member of the PDPA was able to return to Afghanistan depends on whether the person tries to exercise any political influence as a communist. If this is not the case, such an individual will be able to live in the country.
The source mentioned the leader of the United National Party as an example of a former highly positioned PDPA member who lives in Afghanistan. The person is a former member of the central committee of the PDPA, and President Karzai is considering employing him in a high-ranking position. The United National Party is a new party with a non-communist ideology. The United National Party is registered as a party for the September elections. The source explained, however, that the above-mentioned former member of the central committee of the PDPA is forced to live under a considerable degree of protection. (p. 53)
The source was of the opinion that there exist former members of the PDPA who cannot return to Afghanistan. The source mentioned that a number of the former members have been selected by President Karzai to work for the government, and that many ministries could not exist if they had not been employed. The source pointed out that many of the former members of the PDPA are not war criminals, but have relevant training, which can be used to contribute to the reconstruction of the country. Many of these people are only trying to find a meaningful way of using their resources for the rest of their lives, and have no strong political interests.
An international NGO had no knowledge of serious problems concerning the former members of the PDPA. However the organization thought that former communists are not being popular. The source knew of former communists not being able to propagate openly for a communist political programme.
The CCA was of the opinion that former communists do not experience serious problems in Afghanistan today. A number of former members of the PDPA have organized themselves again, and there are many examples of former highly placed supporters of the PDPA working in the current government. The CCA was of the opinion that former highranking members of the PDPA can remain in Afghanistan if they do not get involved in conflicts with powerful individuals. The CCA also gave the example of the leader of the United National Party who, according to the organization, was a highly placed military officer in the PDPA and, among other things, organized the military forces that fought the Mujaheddin.
Furthermore, the CCA mentioned that about half of the officers working in the present Afghanistan Intelligence Services are former officers of the KHAD. It has been necessary to introduce them into intelligence work, as there is a lack of qualified personnel in this field. The organization gave as an example that the director in the 7th department of the present intelligence services earlier served a similar position in the KHAD.
The AAWU explained that there are still prejudices in Afghan society against former members of the PDPA. The source explained that former members have problems when registering their political parties and they have difficulties in finding jobs in the administration within the government.
According to the Lawyers Union of Afghanistan there is no greater risk in Afghanistan today for former members of the PDPA than for Afghans in general. In this context it has no importance what position one occupies in the PDPA. The source stated however that very highly profiled former members of the PDPA have not returned to Afghanistan yet. (p. 54)"

Document(s): Open document

11.2004 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

The situation of individuals connected with the former Soviet Union ("The political conditions, the security and human rights situation in Afghanistan; Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul, Afghanistan 20 March – 2 April 2004") [#27424],  [ID 1029]

"The UNHCR and the UNAMA both said that they did not have information supporting the fact, that people returning from longer-term stays in the former Soviet Union have problems in Afghanistan today, solely for the reason that they have been staying in the Soviet Union for a longer period. (p. 54)
The CCA explained that people who return after a long stay in the former Soviet Union do not experience major problems in Afghanistan, except if they have had specific conflicts with people who want to make revenge. (p. 55)"

Document(s): Open document

23.09.2004 - Source: German Institute of Global and Area Studies

On state structures; authority of Karzai-government is limited to the Kabul area and dependent on presence of international troops; living conditions dependent on family networks, aid programmes cannot safeguard provision of medical drugs and dietary nutrition (expert opinion, in German) ("Stellungnahme vom 23.9.2004 an OVG Sachsen - A 1 B 4411/98 - (vgl. auch Stellungnahme vom M. Danesch im selben Verfahren, #25196)") [#27458],  [ID 1030]

Document(s): Open document

09.08.2004 - Source: BBC News

An Afghan social worker received a number of death threats after interrupting the loya jirga meeting demanding that former war lords be taken to court ("Afghan rights advocate expects 'annihilation'") [#24636],  [ID 1042]

Document(s): Open document

24.07.2004 - Danesch, Mostafa

Analysis of governmental and state-like structures and institutions (police, courts, army): authority of President Karzai limited to Kabul area, but undermined by various other actors within and outside his government; prominent former Communist at risk of persecution; health system; living conditions (expert opinion, in German) ("Stellungnahme vom 24.7.2004 an OVG Sachsen - A 1 B 4411/98 - (vgl. auch Stellungnahme des DOI im selben Verfahren, #27458)") [#25196],  [ID 1031]

Document(s): Open document

05.2004 - Source: European Council on Refugees and Exiles

ECRE considers former communists among those groups that may still be in need of international protection ("Guidelines for the Treatment of Afghan Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Europe") [#22462],  [ID 1032]

"17. ECRE considers that certain categories of individuals amongst the Afghan population may have ongoing protection needs that remain unchanged despite recent political developments in Afghanistan. These groups include:
[...]
• Many former members of the former ruling communist party PDPA and the agents of the secret service KhADD who still fear violence, harassment and discrimination for their roles in the communist government, despite the co-operation of many with the new administration. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

30.03.2004 - Source: International Crisis Group

United National Party encounters obstacles during registration process ("Elections and security in Afghanistan") [#20875],  [ID 1033]

"[...] The obstacles encountered by the United National Party (UNP), formed by former members of the Parcham faction of the communist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), point to serious weaknesses in the registration process, however. According to a party member, the UNP was the first to submit a complete application but has yet to be registered. "Apparently, the minister [Abdul Rahim Karimi] is under pressure by fundamentalist mujahidin such as Shinwari, Sayyaf, Rabbani and Asif Muhsini, not to register our party", the party member said. "During a meeting with us the minister acknowledged that he is under pressure". These allegations, which have also been related to ICG by international observers, are significant not only because the former Parchamis have a large national constituency, particularly among the professional classes in urban areas, but also because the stigma of being former communists can and has been used against other socially liberal political actors. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

01.03.2004 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

For some members of the former communist regime, the situation has not changed since the fall of the Taliban ("Afghanistan - Update über die Entwicklungen bis Februar 2004 (Author: Michael Kirschner)") [#20596],  [ID 1034]

"5.8 Angehörige des früheren kommunistischen Regimes
Dass Angehörige und Mitarbeitende des früheren kommunistischen Regimes weiterhin hinter Aktivitäten und Aussagen vermutet werden, die gegen die Mujahedin gerichtet sein sollen, zeigt der Fall von Frau Dschuya (vgl. Kap. 5.3). Sie erhielt nach ihren Äusserungen Todesdrohungen und Beschimpfungen als Kommunistin. Obwohl zahlreiche Mitarbeitende des früheren kommunistischen Regimes sich zum Beispiel in vielen staatlichen Institutionen, etabliert haben, hat sich Situation für bestimmte Angehörige und MitarbeiterInnen des früheren kommunistischen Regimes nicht verändert."

Document(s): Open document

17.12.2003 - Danesch, Mostafa

Relatives of a popular TV presenter in the 1980s are still regarded as "exposed" representatives of the Communist regime; ruling elites at the moment are identical with those responsible for the persecution of Communists and "Westernized" people after 1992 (expert opinion, in German) ("Stellungnahme vom 17.12.2003 an VG Frankfurt/Oder - 7 K 1517/00.A -") [#19460],  [ID 1035]

Document(s): Open document

29.07.2003 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Gefahr für Personen, die mit dem kommunistischen Regime verbunden waren oder von denen dieses angenommen wird, sowie andere, die sich für einen säkularen Staat eingesetzt haben ("UNHCR-Stellungnahme zur Frage der Flüchtlingseigenschaft afghanischer Asylsuchender (aktualisierte Zusammenstellung)") [#14757],  [ID 1036]

"Obwohl die Interimsregierung ein seit dem 22. Dezember 2001 geltendes „Gesetz über die würdevolle Rückkehr afghanischer Flüchtlinge“ erlassen hat, ist die Situation in Bezug auf Personen, die als Mitglied der Demokratischen Volkspartei Afghanistans (People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan – PDPA) und als Ergebnis ihrer früheren beruflichen oder anderen Aufgaben dem früheren kommunistischen Regime angehörten oder mit ihm verbunden waren, unklar. Obwohl sie nicht von den Zentralbehörden verfolgt werden, können sie weiterhin Gefahr laufen, Opfer von Menschenrechtsverletzungen zu werden, wenn sie nicht vom Schutz durch einflussreiche Gruppen oder Stämme profitieren. Inwieweit diese Möglichkeit besteht, hängt von einer Reihe von Faktoren einschließlich der folgenden ab: a) dem Ausmaß der Identifizierung mit der kommunistischen Ideologie, b) dem Rang oder der Position, den/die sie zuvor bekleideten, c) Bindungen innerhalb der Familie und Großfamilie.

In diesem Kontext muss darauf hingewiesen werden, dass die Übergangsverwaltung sowie regionale und örtliche Behörden von früheren Mudschaheddin-Gruppen und einigen Royalisten aus der vorkommunistischen Zeit dominiert werden. Gruppen, bei deren Mitgliedern ein potenzielles Risiko eine sorgfältige Beurteilung erfordert, wenn diese ohne Verbindung zu existierenden islamischen/ politischen Parteien oder ohne Stammesschutz sind, umfassen:

- Hochrangige Mitglieder der PDPA unabhängig davon, ob sie zur Parcham- oder zur Khalk-Gruppe der Partei zählten. Die meisten PDPAMitglieder lebten während des kommunistischen Regimes in Kabul oder anderen Städten. Sie werden nur in Gefahr sein, wenn sie bewaffneten Gruppen als solche bekannt sind. Dies gilt für (i) Mitglieder von Zentral-, Provinzstadt- und Bezirkskomitees der PDPA und ihre amilienangehörigen,
(ii) einige der Leiter und hochrangigen Mitglieder gesellschaftlicher Organisationen wie der Demokratischen Jugendorganisation oder der Demokratischen Frauenorganisation auf Landes-, Provinz-, Stadt- oder Bezirksebene.

- Einige der früheren Angehörigen der Armee, der Polizei und des Geheimdienstes Khad des kommunistischen Regimes sind ebenfalls generell gefährdet, und zwar nicht nur durch die Behörden, sondern mehr noch durch die Bevölkerung (Familien von Opfern), weil sie mit Menschenrechtsverletzungen während des kommunistischen Regimes in Verbindung gebracht werden. Bei der Prüfung von Anträgen von Angehörigen von Armee, Polizei und Geheimdienst sowie von hochrangigen Amtsträgern bestimmter Ministerien muss sorgfältig die Anwendbarkeit der Ausschlussklauseln von Artikel 1 F des Abkommens über die Rechtsstellung der Flüchtlinge von 1951 geprüft werden. Bis zu einem gewissen Grad waren viele dieser früheren afghanischen Amtsträger direkt oder indirekt an ernsthaften und verbreiteten Menschenrechtsverletzungen beteiligt."

Document(s): Open document

15.04.2003 - Source: European Council on Refugees and Exiles

ECRE: Former communists considered to be a potentially at risk ("Guidelines for the Treatment of Afghan Asylum Seekers & Refugees in Europe") [#12087],  [ID 1037]

"Many former members of the former ruling communist party PDPA and the agents of the secret service KhADD still face violence, harassment and discrimination for their roles in the communist government, despite the co-operation of many with the new administration. (para 15.)"

Document(s): Open document

07.03.2003 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Situation of persons associated with the former communist government ("The Political, Security and Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan: Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan and Islamabad, Pakistan; 22 September - 5 October 2002") [#11326],  [ID 1038]

"2.4 The situation for persons associated with the former communist government

UNHCR, the Deputy Chief of Mission in Kabul, stressed that UNCHR knows of only a few former communists who have returned to Afghanistan, and he continued, that as long as such strong polarisation exists between the different groupings in Afghanistan, former members of PDPA might also experience problems. It was also the opinion of UNHCR that the picture is blurred - it can be quite difficult to distinguish between private acts of revenge and the acts of revenge which are related to activities which the person concerned carried out for the communist government. As an example he mentioned that a public servant, who had re-allocated land for the communists, might be at risk because he might be identified with this action. The situation will depend on the extent to which the person in question was representing the communist party - acting on behalf of the party - in a particular area. The source repeated that it might be extremely difficult to distinguish between injustices based on a person's past as a communist and injustices being the result of personal vendettas. The source also mentioned that the situation in general is very unstable and rarely static which in his opinion means that it is not possible to foresee what the situation will be in say 5 years.
Old conflicts might reignite, and considering the current lack of legal security, there is no guarantee of security for anybody. Each issue must be determined on the basis of a concrete assessment.
In the opinion of the source it is clear that not all former members of PDPA are able to return to Afghanistan, just as it is not all former PDPA members that risk persecution, if they return. The more purely technical-administrative the position occupied during the communist regime, the safer the person would be. As an example, the source mentioned pilots. Some former communists would receive protection through their clans. In the towns, former communists would be more exposed, as the protection through clans is not as strong in town as it is in the rural districts.
The source mentioned two concrete examples, i.e. two young female communists who had been living in Azerbajdjan and who had not experienced any problems after returning to Afghanistan. A former high ranking communist, a Tajik General who has returned, has not had any problems so far after returning, but he is being closely monitored by UNHCR. The source also pointed out that the current Health Minister was previously a general under the communist rule.
The coordinator of UNAMA's Civil Affairs Branch said about the situation for former communists, that in general, the picture is not consistent. For instance, there are several high-ranking communists who are doing well under the new government. The deciding factor is the person's own network - whether a person has connections in the current power circles. It is predominantly the high profile ex-communists who need connections to the current rulers in order for them to manage.
KHAD people15, who were involved in torture in the prisons, are risking persecution. This is not so for the KHAD people who were employed in administrative positions. Local conditions, such as network and family, are vital in the concrete assessment.
As regards local-profile communists, the source said that their situation depends on their actual work and actions under the communist regime. People who as communists had been involved in injustices, violence, torture or killings, would have problems today. The source also said that the Taliban took a tough line against former communists, but those who survived the Taliban - and The Northern Alliance in 1992-96, would have nothing to fear from the current rulers because of a communist past. If, however, the person concerned had been "away" - away from Afghanistan - since the fall of the communists and now wanted to return, then it would depend on a very careful assessment - of the person's actual activities for the communist party as well as the person's own network - whether the person concerned would be able to return without risking reprisals. A large proportion of the urban population fleeing in 1992-94 were communists.
An international source reported that Dostum is often accused of having been affiliated with the communists. The source had not heard any reports about former communists having had problems, as they had under Mujaheddin and the Taliban. Jamiat is intentionally calling Dostum and his people communists for political reasons.
Former civil servants under the communist government openly speak of their communist past, and many have returned, but the source also emphasized that the people who have returned to the northern regions are not high ranking, high profile communists. High ranking communists, who had influence, power, gave orders, senior military people or people who held high-level administrative positions, have not returned to the northern regions. According to the source this could be due to the fact that former communists are mainly interested in coming to Kabul.
In the opinion of the source, former communists who were in the country during the period 1992- 96, should basically be able to manage. But it depends on the former communist's actual activities during the communist regime, whether the person is now in danger of being persecuted. Former communists are risking revenge and reprisals from relatives of people against whom they have committed injustices whilst representing the communist regime. There are many former communists in the military ranks of Junbesh.
CCA said that there is no danger as such in Kabul for former communists. It may be difficult or well- known former communists to get work, but there is no risk of persecution as such. For former communists in the rural districts it is more difficult. Here the former communists risk harassment from the local population. High profile communists may be at risk. Today, some former communists are employed in administrative positions, but they are people who, because of their family connections, are not subject to reprisals although they used to be high profile communists.
The source pointed out that the situation for former communists, who had a high profile locally, would depend on their actual activities under communist government, including whether they were involved in actions and injustices against the civilian population. It was the opinion of the source that communists with a local profile, who were only seen as sports coaches and youth workers, educators, etc. may return to their place of origin without risking persecution. Locally known communists, who took part in arrests and injustices, will have problems.
The ICG analyst found that it is difficult to describe the situation in general for former communists. According to the source, very few communists remain. The source also believed that a high profile communist would not have survived the Taliban, and equally that it would not have been easy to survive as a well-known communist under the Mujaheddin. According to the source, "everybody" was against the communists. The source summarised the situation in saying that a former communist would either be dead or forgotten.
As regards people who had been employed in the KHAD the source said, that the worst part was over for former KHAD people in the sense that firstly there had been a civil war, where KHAD people had been at risk, and since then there was the Taliban regime, equally placing them at risk. The source also added that many KHAD people had joined the Taliban or Mujaheddin.
DACAAR advised that presumably there are a few former communists in current administrative positions, but that the number is likely to be low. Former communists feel that they have to prove to the world that they are good Muslims. They are very cautious when moving around. They are not being harassed, but on the other hand, they have not been forgiven. Former communists are discriminated against in areas such as employment and housing.
ACBAR reported that there are ministers in the Afghan government who were previously affiliated with the communists. At the time, many people joined the communists simply because they had to be members of the communist party in order to get a job. The source also believed that it was difficult to recognize former communists so long after the fall of the communist government"

Document(s): Open document

02.2003 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

UK Home Office: PDPA - degree of risk depends on rank; KhAD - level of risk varies according to profile, exclusion clauses might apply ("Operational guidance note - Afghanistan/ Version 2- February 2003") [#10706],  [ID 1039]

"b) Former People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) supporters

The PDPA was the communist party, which ruled Afghanistan from 1978 to 1992. The communist regime was highly oppressive and unpopular and ruled with the assistance of a notoriously severe secret service KhAD (see below). Many former members of the party left the country some time ago, however some former members worked for the Taliban whilst, according to UNHCR, others risked human rights violations at the hands of the Taliban. Currently some former PDPA members continue to work within the Interim and Transitional Administrations however according to UNHCR others may continue to face risks of violence, harassment or discrimination. The degree of risk will be greater for those with a higher profile such as members of the communist committees structures at district and province level and those involved in the former communist party's social organisations including those who worked at district and province level. Lower ranking members and supporters are unlikely to face any problems and in addition could relocate internally. There may be some higher profile cases where a grant of asylum will be appropriate.

4. Former KhAD agents

The Khadimat-e Atal'at-e Dowlati (KhAD) which operated from 1980 until 1992 was the security service of the highly repressive communist regime. (Although renamed Wazarat-e Amaniat-e Dowlati (WAD) in 1986 it continued to be known generally as KhAD.) The work of the organisation and the methods it used means that all NCO's and officers employed by KhAD were involved in serious human rights violations. KhAD members may face risks similar to former PDPA members, the level of risk varying with their profile in KhAD and their current situation in the country. In view of the human rights violations perpetrated by KhAD agents caseworkers must ensure that particular consideration is given as to whether it is appropriate to invoke one of the Exclusion Clauses in the 1951 Convention. Any case involving a KhAD agent should be referred in the first instance to the Senior Caseworker."

Document(s): Open document
01021afg.htm

04.11.2002 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR Vienna: Afghanistan - Members of the VDPA ("UNHCR Stellungnahme an die Caritas/Österreich: Afghanistan – Mitglieder der Demokratischen Volkspartei") [#9420],  [ID 1040]

"[...] Es gibt Anzeichen, dass unter anderem Personen, die mit dem kommunistischen Regime in Verbindung standen oder in Verbindung gebracht werden oder sich für einen säkularen Staat einsetzen, besonders gefährdet sind, Gewalt, Schikanen oder Diskriminierung ausgesetzt zu sein: Obwohl die Interimregierung eine „Verordnung über die würdevolle Rückkehr von afghanischen Flüchtlingen“ erlassen hat, bleibt die Situation in Bezug auf Personen, die sich dem früheren kommunistischen Regime angeschlossen haben oder mit diesem, sei es durch Mitgliedschaft in der Demokratischen Volkspartei Afghanistans (DVPA) oder aufgrund ihres früheren Berufs oder anderer Funktionen, in Verbindung standen, weiterhin unklar. Obwohl sie nicht direkt Zielscheibe der Zentralbehörden sind, können sie weiterhin Menschenrechtsverletzungen ausgesetzt sein.
Der Grad der Wahrscheinlichkeit hängt von einer Reihe von Faktoren ab, einschließlich der folgenden: a.) Grad der Identifikation mit der kommunistischen Ideologie, b.) früherer Rang bzw. Position, c.) (erweiterte) familiäre Beziehungen, d.) Bildungsgrad und Aufenthalt im Ausland.
In diesem Zusammenhang ist anzumerken, dass die Übergangsregierung, wie auch regionale und lokale Behörden, von Splittergruppen ehemaliger Mujaheddin und einigen Königstreuen aus der vorkommunistischen Ära dominiert werden, aber, wie es heißt, nur fünf ehemalige DVPA-Mitglieder darin vertreten sind.
Im Falle hochrangiger DVPA-Mitglieder, gleich ob diese der Parcham oder der Khalq- Fraktion angehört haben, muss deshalb nach Ansicht von UNHCR das Schutzbedürfnis besonders sorgfältig geprüft werden. Die meisten DVPA-Mitglieder haben unter dem kommunistischen Regime in Kabul oder anderen Städten gelebt. Sie sind allerdings nach Meinung von UNHCR nur dann gefährdet, wenn sie den bewaffneten Gruppierungen bekannt sind. Davon ist wiederum auszugehen, wenn es sich um (i) Mitglieder des Zentralkomitees der DVPA, oder der DVPA-Komitees der Provinzen, Städte oder Distrikte und deren Familienmitglieder oder (ii) um Leiter bzw. hochrangige Mitglieder von Sozialorganisationen, wie der Demokratischen Jugendorganisation oder der Demokratischem Frauenorganisationen auf Landes-, Provinz-, Stadt- oder Distriktsebene, handelt."

Document(s): hcr-afg1102.pdf

10.09.2002 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

DIS : Conditions for people affiliated to the former communist government ("Political Conditions, Security and Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan. Report on fact-finding mission to Islamabad and Peshawar, Pakistan and Kabul, Afghanistan, 5-19 May 2002") [#8548],  [ID 1041]

"The director for ICG stated that it is very difficult to predict who is in danger. This depends on how the surrounding community views you, i.e. whether you are identified with communism.

UNHCR-Afghanistan said that the risk of violation depends on specific conditions for the individual, for example where they come from, and whether family relationships can create protection. UNHCR also felt that the risk of attack will depend on who you are facing. Ismael Khan, the governor in Herat province, would be more dangerous than General Dostum, who would be more lenient. UNHCR also said that the central administration would not be able to intervene in the event of violations committed in the regions.

UNHCR-Afghanistan stated that conditions are not safe for people who have been members of the communist central committee. This also applies for people who have been a member of the committee's structures at province and district level. These people's family members are also not safe. The same applies for leaders of the former communist party's social organisations, for example youth organisations, women's organisations and labour organisations. In these cases the leaders of the organisations who have worked at province and district level are also not safe. Finally, there will be problems for high-ranking military officers (including KHAD members) and their family members.

UNHCR-Afghanistan commented that former PDPA members are working within the interim administration, and this is possible for them due to family relations.

The coordinator for UNAMA Civil Affairs department felt that former communists who could have something to fear are people who have had a high profile. There will not be any problems for low-profile PDPA members. The coordinator for UNAMA also stated that there are former KHAD officers working in the Afghan community today. People who have been PDPA members are today working within the security service and the military.
The human rights advisor for UNAMA stated that the current administration includes several former communists in high positions. General Dostum and the defence minister, who previously had links with the then communist government, were mentioned as examples.

According to the director for DACAAR it is hardly safer today than under the Taliban for former communists. The Taliban performed purges from the administration, and there was hardly any persecution of people at a low level, rather of members with a higher profile. The same source said that it can be unpredictable as to who will have problems as the crucial factor is what social relations they have. The source also mentioned that there is still an anti-communist feeling. For example, a new national holiday has just been introduced in April to mark the date of Najibullah's fall in 1992.
The senior advisor for ACBAR said that it is possible that the new government will be suspicious of former communists. At the same time, the source said that former communists are working in the administration. This was also the case under the Taliban movement, which, however, performed purges of people with this background from the administration. The same source felt that the new rulers would not perform purges against former PDPA members solely based on their communist convictions, but possibly with regard to replacing former communists with their own people. According to the same source it is difficult to predict who will have problems, and this often depends on family relationships. High-profile former communists, however, cannot return.

The leader of OXFAM was of the opinion that there is no risk associated with PDPA members with no profile if they return to Afghanistan. The same source said that it is too early for high – ranking communists to return. Under the Taliban, according to the same source, it was very dangerous for former communists. OXFAM stated that it is generally known that two people who were previously communists are working today for Afghan radio.

UNHCR-Pakistan stated that former PDPA members may need protection, but do not automatically qualify for resettlement in a third country. Such applications are treated on an individual basis.

The coordinator for the Swedish Afghanistan committee (SCA) stated that they had not had any problems with giving jobs within the organisation to former communists. Working inside Afghanistan had not caused any problems for these people.

The coordinator for UNAMA's Civil Affairs department stated that it is not specified that former PDPA members are excluded from representation in the Loya Jirga. UNAMA stated that there are no criteria stating that you should not have belonged to any political party in order to become a member of the commission which is preparing the Loya Jirga process. Therefore people who are known to have been members of PDPA hold positions on this commission.

The coordinator for UNAMA also stated that couples live in Afghanistan today where the husband is Afghan and the wife is from the former Soviet Union. In such cases there could be a possibility of persecution of these people. UNAMA felt that it would be difficult for such couples to live in Afghanistan. This would require the female partner to convert to Islam and wear traditional dress. The director for DACAAR was of the opinion that it is unlikely that there are couples living in Afghanistan today where the husband is Afghan and the wife is from the former Soviet Union as Russia is still not popular in Afghanistan."

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2002 -

Netherlands Foreign Ministry: Ex-communists ("Algemeen ambtsbericht Afghanistan, augustus 2002") [ID 1043]

There are no indications that former communists would be at risk of persecution merely on grounds of their political affiliation. As with all previous regimes, former members of Kalq and Parcham are represented in the curent government. Former communists who are suspected to have been responsible for human rights violations and atrocities, are likely to be prosecuted or victims of revenge attacks.

"Er zijn geen aanwijzingen dat ex-communisten puur vanwege hun voormalige banden met het communistisch regime in het huidige Afghanistan vervolging te vrezen hebben. Zoals in alle opeenvolgende regimes, hebben ook in deze regering ex-Parchami’s en Khalqi’s zitting. Echter, ex-communisten die ervan verdacht worden zich schuldig gemaakt te hebben aan gewelddadigheden kunnen waarschijnlijk zowel strafrechtelijke vervolging als wraak te vrezen hebben. (p.54)"

Document(s): Algemeen ambtsbericht Afghanistan, augustus 2002

05.08.2002 - Danesch, Mostafa

Dr. Mostafa Danesch: Risk depends on rank held within military, Khad or VDPA as well as on possible responsibility for human rights violations ("Stellungnahme v. 5.8.2002 an VG Schleswig - 21 A 123/01 - (German)") [#8332],  [ID 1044]

"Es kommt darauf an, wo ein Rückkehrer leben wird und welche Position er zu Zeiten des Kommunistischen Regimes bzw. beim Militär, beim Khad oder DVPA eingenommen hat und ob man ihm von der Zentralregierung oder von Stammes-und Kriegsfürsten Menschenrechtsverletzungen oder Kriegsverbrechen vorwirft.

- Nehmen wir an, ein hoher ehemaliger General des Militärs oder des Khad-Geheimdienstes bzw, ein hoher Funktionär der DVPA kehrt nach Kabul zurück. Mit ziemlicher Sicherheit wird ihn hier ein gerichtliches Verfahren erwarten. Die meisten der Minister der Zentralregierung, wie auch der Präsident selbst, sind ehemalige Mudjahedin, die während der REgierungszeit der Mudjahedin den Funktionären des früheren Präsidenten Najibullah, in welcher Funktion sie auch immer waren, Kriegsverbrechen und Menschenrechtsverletzungen vorgeworfen und sie verfolgt haben.

Unter Anwesenheit der internationalen Friedenstruppe aber kann heute in Kabul niemand so leicht willkürlich verhaftet und getötet werden, wie in der Vergangenheit unter den selben Machthabern geschehen ist.

- Nehmen wir an, nicht so hochrangige ehemalige Offiziere des Militärs und des Geheimdienstes Khad oder kommunistische Funktionäre der DVPA, die unbedeutend waren und deren Verbindungen zu Menschenrechtsverletzungen und Kriegsverbrechen nicht bekannt geworden sind, kommen nach Kabul. Sie können hier mit relativer Sicherheit unbehelligt leben.

Für beide Gruppen ist selbst in Kabul die Gefahr einer Blutrache sehr groß, auch wenn eine Verfolgung durch die Zentralregierung nicht gegeben ist. Blutrache geht nicht immer auf objektive Tatbestände zurück. So kann durchaus ein nur angenommener Verdacht eines Mordes oder die Tatsache, ein Mitglied einer Kommunistischen Partei gewesen zu sein, die kollektiv verantwortlich für den Tod eines Familienmitglieds gemacht wird, für eine Tötung aus Blutrache genügen. Dieser Gefahr ist grundsätzlich jeder der Rückkehrer aus den oben genannten Gruppierungen auch in Kabul ausgesetzt.

In den oben genannten Provinzen, ausgenommen der Norden, das Machtzentrurn des Usbekengenerals Dostum, sieht die Gefahrenlage für die Rückkehrer ganz anders aus. Hier kann man mit Sicherheit sagen, dass Rückkehrer der ersten Gruppe mit willkürlicher Verhaftung, Entführung, Folter bis hin zu Mord durch die lokalen Herrscher (alle ehemaligen Mudjahedin) zu rechnen haben. Sollten Rückkehrer der zweiten Gruppe den lokalen Machthabern als Mitglieder oben genannter Gruppen bekannt werden, müssen auch sie mit Verhaftungen, Folter und Mord rechnen.

Die Gefahr der Blutrache ist hier wesentlich größer als in der Hauptstadt Kabul.

Für Personen, die in der ehemaligen Sowjetunion studiert oder gearbeitet haben und nicht im Dienste des kommunistischen Najibullah-Regimes standen, besteht heute keine Gefahr für Leib und Leben."

Document(s): Open document