Ambassador Kounalakis Welcomes Afghan Civil Society Leaders
On February 7, 2011, Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis welcomed three leading civil society figures from Afghanistan who visited Hungary as part of a Europe-wide speaking tour arranged by the European Foundation for Democracy. The group included Dr. Gulalei Safi Nur, a member of the Afghan parliament from Northern Balkh Province and an advocate for women’s rights, Afzal Nooristani, a lawyer and director of a legal aid organization and Hayatullah Ahadyar a judge and former journalist. While in Hungary, the group met with a wide cross section of NGO’s, government officials, journalists and academics to discuss the current challenges in Afghanistan as well as the progress that has been made. Ambassador Kounalakis reiterated U.S. support for strengthening Afghan civil society and appreciation for Hungary’s commitment to that country’s future as well.
Success Stories
LAOA was the first organization that took the initiative to bring defense lawyers in Badghes province and in Wardak province, to build their capacities, to identify procedural obstacles and to create awareness about their rights of juveniles in Bamian province. In Herat province most of the children's rehabilitation center cases are handled by LAOA.LEGAL.
The majority of graduates trained by LAOA practice as defense lawyers. Paralegals trained by LAOA assist attorneys in delivering legal services.
LAOA lawyers also serve as legal trainers at law faculties/universities, other legal institutions (e.g.,INLTC) and international organizations (e.g., UNICEF, IDLO).
LAOA has been instrumental in the establishment of the Afghan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) and trains AIBA staff.
Threats and political interventions have marred the Kambakhsh case from the outset.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai should issue a pardon for Parwez Kambakhsh, a student and part-time journalist, whose 20-year prison sentence for blasphemy has been upheld by the Supreme Court, said Human Rights Watch. The Supreme Court decision was the final stage in a highly politicized case.
This morning the European Policy Centre (EPC) organized a briefing in Brussels on Afghanistan's women and the country's legal system. Invited to the panel were Ms Golalei Safi Nur, Member of the Afghan Parliament, Mr. Hayatullah Ahadyar, Judge at the primary court of Counter Narcotics in Afghanistan, Mr. Afzal Nooristani, Lawyer and Executive Director of the Legal Aid Organization of Afghanistan (LAOA), and Ms Bettina Muscheid, Political Desk Officer for Afghanistan at the European External Action Service (EEAS). Moderator of the panel was Mr. Josef Janning, Director of Studies at EPC
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