Two days workshop on "Strengthening of Human Rights through Expansion of Civil Society" was organized by Afghan Desk HRCP took place at Thames Hotel- Swat on 26,27th, 2003. This workshop expenses were covered by CIDA/PBU through Alternatives Canada according to an agreement with Afghan Desk of HRCP.

More than 30 representatives of the Afghanistan and Pakistan civil society organizations participated in this seminar. The following organization's representatives were the participants:

• Afghan Women Resource Center (AWRC)
• Sanyee Development Foundation (SDF)
• Afghan Women Education Center (AWEC)
• Afghan Women Network (AWN)
• The Independent Association of Afghan Intellectuals (IAAI)
• Afghan Study Center (ASC)
• Representative from Swat Local Organization SAWERA
• Liberal Forum of Pakistan
• Afghanistan Peace and Democracy Act (APDA)
• Afghanistan Human Rights and Environment Protection Organization (AOHREP)
• Apart from it mass-media representatives also attended this workshop.

Mr. Sarwar Mamound Coordinator Afghan Desk -HRCP Introduced the participants of the two- days workshop, as well as its main purpose and role in the strengthening of Afghan civil society in this crucial situation for Afghanistan and for the entire region. He expressed that the CIDA/PBU of Canada through the Alternatives have provided financial facility for the Afghan Desk of HRCP to effectively work with the Afghan and Pakistan civil society organizations to raise awareness amongst the common populace for peace and democracy and human rights especially the vulnerable groups of the society.

Invited Mr. Afrasiab Khattak and Trina RahmanYar to the dice of the workshop.

Mr.Afrasiab Khattak (Chair of the HRCP)

In the opening speech Mr. Afrasiab Khattak highlighted the importance of such kind of gatherings and appreciated the topic for workshop.

He said that civil society organizations are new to the people, though, in reality such kinds of organizations are not new but having a long history. He said that there are three aspects of democracy i.e. Individual rights, Civil Society and Federalism. I will discuss the civil society. Sometimes, we put stress on the state on as well as on the society, this is why? Because there is a social contract between them. State having two types of conditions, one is on consent and the other is coercive. With the passage of time states are becoming democratic. It was in the 12th century that a tripartite, executive, legislative and Judiciary were innovated in which the later to be responsible for checking the despotism in the state. But judiciary failed to control it by alone. It was needed to develop civil society for blocking the way of despotism.

Usually in a state there are working:
1. Government
2. Public non-governmental organizations
3. Complete private organizations

In which the last two are true civil societies. In civil society there are political parties, trade unions, mass media, educational institutions and other self-governing bodies. All these bodies having their own manifestoes and act upon it.

You have observed the people demonstrations at the occasions of WTO, G7& G8 annual meeting in which they make policies for the third world countries. It reveals that how optimistic they were. I was due to the advancement of civil society in those countries. Civil society is the base of development presents itself as a model by working with other people and recognizes their rights. Secondly it does the accountability of the government.

We should try to develop democracy and human rights through civil society.

We should find ways to solve the problems arising with the new developments. Like traffic is a problem in big cities where frequently accidents occurring and environmental pollution increasing but its solution is not that we leave cities and settle in forest and use horses for our journey.

Unfortunately our civil society organizational structure is very weak and not acting upon their manifestoes. For example the political parties in Pakistan do not follow their manifestoes.

Due to the weak structure of civil societies in Pakistan the police are making interpretation in civil institutions and particularly in the universities. If they (police) like they can enter in the classrooms. Why it happens? It is due to the weakness of our civil society.

The subjective conditions of our civil society are very weak. We should take the initiative and realize the objectives.

Peace and civil society are interrelated. Strong civil societies bring durable peace. War is against peace. Wars crack problems by force while civil society believes on negotiation and peace.

At the occasion of American invasion on Iraq in the recent past you have observed that people demonstrated against war. It shows the advancement of civil society in those countries that masses opposed the war policies of their governments. State, civil society and peace have a very close relation.

Ms. Sadiqa Jan Deputy Director Afghan Women Network (AWN):

Afghanistan civil society

During war a large number of Afghan intellectuals, experts and other large number of people were killed and the remaining migrated to other countries to save their lives. People are demanding that those experts should return to his homeland but it is very difficult in the present situation.

We should get benefit from the teaching of Islam. Science is not given to us by the west. It was the Muslims who enlighten the world with scientific invention. Baghdad was the center of science and learning for hundred of years. Quran have given us the lesson of democracy then why we should search the meaning of democracy in other contexts.

The governments always worried about civil societies that they are working for political power, but this is not true. Civil society working for the betterment of the common people.

The government of Pakistan ignored the views of civil society at the time of construction of Tarbila dam. It was the reason that people suffered bitterly.
Due to war there is no democracy and civil society in Afghanistan. The presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan is good.

It is necessary to take in consideration the opinion of each community and each section in the development of Afghanistan. Every one has right to present his views to national commission and it is the responsibility of the commission to give due regard to each positive suggestion.

Ms. Nabila Faani ( Founder of The Independent Association of Afghan Intelluctuals IAAI):

Mass media can play an important role for the development of civil society of Afghanistan. When people are living under the pressure of a particular government and they are working with the civil society organizations are the members of civil society. Civil society organizations working for the development and prosperity of the state.

Publications can play an important role for civil society. These publications stress on the need of peace process in Afghanistan. It can play an significant role for the unity of the nation. It is a source of communication among different civil society organizations.

Mental alertness of the people is very necessary and we should do work in this direction.

Group work:
On the second working day, in the last session of the workshop the participants were divided into three groups on the bases of their topic selection written by group leaders Mr.Sawar Mamound &Ms.Trina Rehmanyar.

A.Group

Objective Factors of the civil society

• Urbanization
• Rising level of education
• Expansion of democracy and rule of law

Subjective Factors are

• Formation of civil society organization
• Capacity building
• Brain gain
• Networking

Problem for civil society

1. Lack of sound bases for development
2. Lack of peaceful environment
3. No Coordination of government and civil society.

• People involvement in policy making processes.
• Women participation in public affairs

B-Group

• Women Role in Civil Society Building
• Half of our society is composed of women.
• Women should got experience in every field
• Women and society are inseparable
• Child first learns is his mother lap
• Women is the first stone of the family building and it is the reason that a family is look like a state.

• A learnt woman can do a good job for the development of the community as compare to uneducated women.
• Behind every successful man there is a woman. Women can play an important role in society building.
• Both male and female have important role in the society.

C.Group

Role of the Civil Society in a state

• The endurance of law through the expansion of civil society organization
• Through the expansion of civil society the freedom of expression should be ensured to the whole community.

• Culture and tradition of the country can be preserved through civil society. Suppression would be halted.
• Through civil society capacity of the people awareness is developed.
• Civil society develops relations amongst the people and the state. Civil society minimizes the problems of common people.
• Civil society blocks the aggressive attitude of the state and the government.
• Civil society guarantees the rights of different ethnic groups and minorities in a state.

Concluding speech:

Mr. Afrasiab Khattak Chair of the HRCP, said that this was very valuable and fruitful discussion. The group work was both theoretical and practical and presented very important suggestions by the participants.

A change occurs in every field of life with the passage of time. Religion becomes political in the last 25 years in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A particular group is doing the explanation of religion. In Pakistan majority are Muslims but there are living certain minority groups also. They (minority) are citizens of this country and have right to live in peace but they face certain problems here. It is the reason that they are leaving Pakistan and their numbers decreasing day by day.

Civil societies have brought many positive changes in the modern world. Women are taking part in every field of life.

Mr. Afrasiab Khattak said that we should develop the tradition of discussion and arguments. I have noticed this trend in Islamic State Iran he said. "There were two books on Darwin theory in a library written by two authors, one supported the theory and the other criticized it with arguments, this is very positive trend" ,Mr. Afrasiab Khattak said.

"The participants of this workshop have different languages but they were like-minded on certain points", he said.

At the end of his concluding speech Mr. Afrasiab Khattak thanked the guests and appreciated the Afghan Desk activities.