News Room
Watchlist Welcomes Afghanistan’s Ban on the Use of Schools as Polling Sites
16 June 2010
Watchlist applauds the decision of the Government of Afghanistan to prohibit the use of schools as polling stations in elections. During the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on June 16th, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations Zahir Tanin announced that “because of the threat from the Taliban, the Ministry of Education has instructed that schools will no longer be used as polling stations in elections.” This important decision directly reflects one of Watchlist’s core recommendations in its last report to avoid the use of education facilities in the upcoming elections and for other political purposes. It has endangered children and prevented them from attending classes. During last year’s presidential elections, Afghanistan’s Independent Election Committee had used school buildings as polling stations, resulting in multiple attacks against schools. This ban is a key step toward Watchlist’s report’s call to prioritize the needs of children in the conflict.
Watchlist Hosts Discussion of New Afghanistan report with Deputy Country Director of Save the Children in Afghanistan
15 June 2010
On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Watchlist held a discussion of its new report, Setting the Right Priorities: Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Afghanistan. The event, held at the Watchlist Office in New York City, featured Mr. Fazel Jalil, the Deputy Country Director of Save the Children in Afghanistan, and Ms. Yvonne Kemper, Watchlist Officer. Mr. Jalil shared his first hand field perspective on the situation for children affected by armed conflict in Afghanistan and Ms. Kemper, the primary author of the new report, shared its findings and recommendations.
Read the report here.
Watchlist Launches New Report on Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Afghanistan
14 June 2010
Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict calls upon the Afghan government and its international supporters to prioritize children’s needs.
Launched today in New York and in Kabul, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict’s newest report, Setting the Right Priorities: Protecting Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Afghanistan, provides the most up-to-date account of the dire situation facing the children in Afghanistan. In order to achieve peace, the Afghan government, the UN Security Council and the humanitarian community must prioritize child protection, and end impunity for violators of children’s rights.
Full Report in English PDF | HTML
4-page summary in English PDF | HTML
Press Release in English PDF