Members of the Afghan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) claimed on Sunday that the forces of the Islamic Emirate had taken over the AIBA office in Kabul and that the government (Islamic Emirate) plans to use it as an office. government under the Ministry of Justice.
It comes as a large number of Afghan prosecutors and lawyers – many of whom were women – have left the country after the fall of the former government in August.
“The forces of the Islamic Emirate entered the associations office in Kabul, closed all rooms and ordered all members and staff to leave the office,” said Najla Rahel, a former deputy of the Association. AIBA.
“Our request is the independence of the association; if this is not considered, we will continue and launch civil protests, ”said Sayed Maarof Hashimi Jahed, head of the AIBA media office.
Members added that AIBA, which operated independently under the laws of the International Bar Association’s Institute of Human Rights (IBAHRI), was established by a private fund and the government was not had to oversee the operations of the association.
“The association is maintained by a private budget of defense lawyers, we want our rights, ie the independence of the association – our rights should not be ignored,” said Hebatullah Naqed , member of AIBA.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Human Rights of the International Bar Association, in a statement, called for the lasting independence of AIBA, saying that the international recognition of the Islamic Emirate will be faced with new challenges in taking such steps.
Justice Ministry officials said the Islamic Emirate had announced that AIBA would work under the aegis of the Justice Ministry. Justice Ministry spokesman Mohammad Bashar said a guard was chosen to run the organization, but he did not provide a name.
“AIBA is no longer independent, it is part of the Ministry of Justice and a guardian introduced for the association,” said Mohammad Bashar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice.
The Afghan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) was established in 2008 to work to promote and protect the rule of law, social justice and the implementation of Islamic education in Afghanistan. More than 6,000 defense lawyers from across the country have become members of AIBA, and its provincial centers are open in almost every province of the country.
