This is a title of a report published on 15th February by the Senlis Council. Although not a pacifist organization its recommendations are radical:
1) Immediate cessation of forced poppy crop eradication and bombing raids
2) Immediate widespread food aid An end to the strategy of fear and destruction – a full assessment on the nature and extent of the bombing campaigns
3) Compensation to civilian victims of bombings
4) Military paramedics and field hospitals to aid civilian war casualties
5) The rebuilding of existent hospitals and the construction of new ones
6) Compensation for and rebuilding of villages destroyed by the bombing campaign
7) A complete overhaul of failed counter-narcotics strategies – crop eradication must stop
8) Pilot projects for an opium licensing scheme for the production of medicine
9) Compensation to civilian victims of bombings
10) Development and aid investments equal to military spending
11) To create stability by applying a robust economic response the grassroots insurgency
12) To create a shared long term vision for Afghanistan and to stop imposing ‘Western’ ideals.
1 comments:
What is particularly interesting about this is that it is easy to get the impression that Afghanistan is a weak link in the pacifist case. It seems clear that the Taliban regime was extremely repressive and brutal, and although one might deplore the use of force in general, cases like this can look like they might be the exception - on the 'lesser of two evils' principle. Not a good war, but may be a just one.
However, this report argues strongly that, quite apart from ethical and humanitarian considerations, the military approach is seriously counter-productive, and that improving the standard of living of the Afghan people would be both cheaper and more effective.
And of course, this has to be obvious. Repression exploits and thrives on poverty. In the long term at least, the way out for Afghanistan has to be the result of opportunities for a better life for its people.
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