Junbesh-e-Adalat Khawhi Baray Qurbanian-e-Jang, or ‘The Movement Seeking Justice for War Victims’, has criticized the Afghan government for entering peace talks with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hizb-e-Islami, a group which has been in opposition with the Afghan government for years.
The movement has insisted that the Afghan government must bring Hekmatyar to justice, citing that Hekmatyar played a key role in the civil war particular the bloody wars that shattered the Afghan capital Kabul.
Speaking to a conference on Saturday, movement members said that government peace talks with Hekmatyar is in-fact giving him concessions, urging that justice should not be underestimated in the peace negotiation talks.
The movement has also called on the UN not to remove Hekmatyar’s name from the international blacklist.
“Peace and reconciliation with the Taliban and Hizb-e-Islami is not in the interests of the people of Afghanistan,” said Mahdi Saqib, a member of the movement.
According to the movement, Hekmatyar is still a war criminal and the government must ensure his prosecution.
“How they did they pave the ground for him to receive $4 million per year? And why should the money of the people be given to him,” another member Tarranum Saeedi said.
The Movement believes that peace talks with Hekmatyar in-fact is giving concessions to him, adding that the peace talks with Hizb-e-Islami in real sense is underestimating and violating justice.
“Instead of peace, the way for court should be opened, if the government of Afghanistan wants to make peace, it should also establish courts for their trial,” movement member Sami Darayee said.
Amid strong criticisms, the Afghan government after months of backdoor negotiations finally reached a peace deal with Hekmatyar and a draft agreement was prepared for final approval from the group’s leader. The agreement was followed by a backlash with many accusing Hekmatyar of his role in the bloodshed during the civil war.
Meanwhile a member of Hizb-e-Islami has defended the deal.
“It is not the question of concession, every citizen of Afghanistan has the right to live here,” a member of Hizb-e-Islami Omar Ayar said. http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/25530-rights-group-calls-for-hekmatyar-to-be-tried
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