Integrity Watch Afghanistan March 2017 Newsletter

Fixing the failed extractives sector: the government’s credibility is on the line  By Sayed Ikram Afzali, Executive Director President Ghani recently appointed a new minister for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) after exactly one year in which there was no full-time minister to lead one of the most critical sectors in the country. The government’s credibility is on the line, but the true test is not whether a Minister can be appointed and confirmed: it is whether they can finally push through real reforms on the ground.   The new minister faces tremendous challenges. Illegal mining is prevalent all over Afghanistan, fueling conflict and criminality from Badakhshan province to Helmand and from Nangarhar to Herat. Mining contracts have been awarded mostly based on political connections and kickbacks. State-owned enterprises have been subject to misuse by the MoMP leadership. Lack of proper monitoring and weak transparency measures have given companies an open hand to abuse their contracts. As a result, the state generates very little revenue from the sector despite its huge potential. Afghanistan is experiencing a “resource curse” as the state fails to protect resources from abuse and prevent conflict around mines. However, there is still an opportunity for the new Minister to reverse the trend. Basic reforms that could do much to reduce abuses have yet to be implemented. The top three priorities among these reforms should be: (1) Amending the mining law in consultation with civil society, (2) achieving validation under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), and (3) cleaning up of the internal mismanagement at the Ministry of Mines. Continue... More than 400 Integrity Volunteers in nine provinces commit to monitor public services Integrity Watch has begun training of Integrity Volunteers in nine provinces following their commitment to monitor public services such as infrastructure projects, schools, and open trials. So far, it has successfully completed the trainings for Integrity Volunteers in Kapisa, Balkh, Herat and Nangarhar provinces. In the first round of the program, 180 volunteers from the four mentioned provinces received an extensive seven-day training. The volunteers include individuals from civil society groups, NGOs, local communities, religious leaders, teachers, women, and other locals who have beenintroducedby local communities.  Around 45 volunteers have been selected for each of the nine provinces. Thetrainings transfer the necessary know-how and provide tools to the local volunteers monitoring construction projects, schools, and trials in order to promote social accountability. continue...                                                                                                                                     Despite security concerns, families open up to girls’ education in Kapisa province This past winter saw a transformation in girls’ education in central province of Kapisa. Girls who were once not allowed to go to school, now even attend supplementary classes during winter season to prepare for higher education. However, attitude change is not automatic. It took Integrity Volunteers a while to figure out a solution to the complaints of many female students that their families did not allow them to attend supplementary classes during school break in winter. When the issue was raised with the parents in the area, their main concern was security and safety of the girls on the way to school. Due to the harsh winter, people are mostly confined to their houses leaving the streets unmonitored. continue...

Community monitoring improves communication between courts and defence attorneys Integrity Volunteers in Nahr-e-Shahi district of northern Balkh province noticed that defence attorneys would come late to open trials wasting the time of the courts and also the public. The issues was also raised by the Provincial Appeal Court in a regular meeting organized between Integrity Volunteers and the court. Integrity Volunteers raised the issue with the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) in Balkh Province. AIBA acknowledged the problem but explained that according to Criminal Procedure Court (CPC) Law, defence attorneys are supposed to receive a written notice at least five days in advance before any court session. continue... Quote of the  month "Alone you can resist together, we can fight corruption." Lorenzo Delegues, Chairman and founder at Integrity Watch Afghanistan Copyright © Integrity Watch Afghanistan, All rights reserved.