MUST READ: TROOPS FIGHT TO PROTECT "HOLY FASCISM"

Afghanistan: Troops Fight to Protect "Holy Fascism"
by Adrian Morgan

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The 2004 constitution maintains (Article One) that: "Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic, independent, unitary and indivisible", where (Article Two) "The religion of the state of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is the sacred religion of Islam," where "Followers of other religions are free to exercise their faith and perform their religious rites within the limits of the provisions of law." Despite Article Two's claims to religious freedoms, the Catch-22 comes in Article Three, where "In Afghanistan, no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam."

Article 130 of the Afghan constitution states: While processing the cases, the courts apply the provisions of this Constitution and other laws. When there is no provision in the Constitution or other laws regarding ruling on an issue, the courts' decisions shall be within the limits of this Constitution in accord with the Hanafi jurisprudence and in a way to serve justice in the best possible manner.

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Article 19 of the Declaration states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

While Western soldiers put their lives at risk to bring democracy to Afghanistan, it is surely time that Afghanistan is pressured to make good on its pledges to abide by Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Anything less is a travesty against justice for the people of Afghanistan, and an insult to the soldiers who have died to secure their freedom. The Taliban were ousted from Afghanistan for their religious tyranny that enabled al Qaeda's terrorism. It is sobering to consider that the new "democratic" Afghanistan still sees fit to engage in what Sayed Mahdawi called "Holy Fascism."




Pertinent Links:

1) Afghanistan: Troops Fight to Protect "Holy Fascism"