Afghanistan: NATO’s Economic Development and Human Rights Approach to Global Safety
September 11 and the new terrorist attacks have brought new meanings to global defense strategies. Poverty, autocratic economies, lack of freedoms, inequalities and unstable governments are considered to be the main sources of developing nations’ civil wars. Over decades, civil wars, rather by ignoring or infusing, have grown exponentially within developing nations, gaining significant power structures to precede their acts of violence and justice abroad. The result is September 11.
Two months after the attack, Afghan’s opposition, global and defense leaders met at the Bonn Conference in Germany to discuss the reconstruction of Afghanistan. From this meeting, The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was formed and in 2003, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) assumed its leadership and operations [2].
NATO’s war on Afghanistan has taken unconventional directions to achieve global safety by implementing socio economic development programs while preserving the principles of the United Nations Charter, agreed in the 1949 Treaty. This strategy brings new meanings to the respect of human rights in the acts of war.
The notion of war, rightly or not, is still in place, however it is no longer entirely based on vigorous armies and resources, but on socio economic development freedoms as well. Maintaining security as the goal, NATO members participate in individual and collective defense strategies from the ‘traditional notions’ of war to development programs. United States and Canada, among other NATO allies, have taken the appropriate steps to promote human rights in Afghanistan, as demonstrated on the following examples:
On April 4 2009, President Obama met with NATO leaders to discuss the new directions in the Afghanistan war. In a press conference, President Obama answers about a recent law passed in Afghanistan that contradicts with The United Nations Development Fund for Women in which legalizes the rape of a wife by her husband. He emphasizes United States position on this law, promotes NATO’s human rights approach but reassures that global security, traditionally or not, is the goal:
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, first of all, this was actually a topic of conversation among all the allies. And in our communication — communiqué, you will see that we specifically state that part of this comprehensive approach is encouraging the respect of human rights. I think this law is abhorrent. Certainly the views of the administration have been, and will be, communicated to the Karzai government. And we think that it is very important for us to be sensitive to local culture, but we also think that there are certain basic principles that all nations should uphold, and respect for women and respect for their freedom and integrity is an important principle. Now, I just want to remind people, though, why our troops are fighting, because I think the notion that you laid out, Major, was that our troops might be less motivated. Our troops are highly motivated to protect the United States, just as troops from NATO are highly motivated to protect their own individual countries and NATO allies collectively. So we want to do everything we can to encourage and promote rule of law, human rights, the education of women and girls in Afghanistan, economic development, infrastructure development, but I also want people to understand that the first reason we are there is to root out al Qaeda so that they cannot attack members of the Alliance [1].
From this press conference, calling the law “abhorrent” influenced Afghanistan’s government to alter the language of this law, and while it still violates the fundamentals of human rights [3], it signifies how NATO and United States political pressures can impact the respect of civil liberties. While the ‘traditional’ approach to the Afghanistan war is emphasized, the respect of human rights in socio economic development strategies is a new terminology in the global defense system.
On the field, Canada’s participation on NATO’s collective effort has promoted freedom through economic development approaches in Afghanistan:
Canada’s objectives are to empower Afghan’s democratic governance, peace, capabilities and citizens’ well-being. Based on these goals, Canada developed six strategic priorities in Afghanistan: to strength security, to increase human capabilities and infrastructures, to empower democracy, to support humanitarian aid, to increase border security, and to sanction political stability [4][5].
Canada’s $230 million investment over a 3-year period to increase citizen’s capabilities, such as education and health, provides Afghans with social and economic liberties to higher income opportunities, and as a result, Afghans gain civil stabilities and income power distribution [6]. The infrastructural implementation such as buildings and roads, gives the opportunity to house and transport commodities from new economies. As new industries develop, it is essential that roads provide the logistics necessary to export goods and services to other communities and countries, while creating a healthy competitive market.
Afghanistan’s government history is charged with instability and fallen international partnerships, giving power opportunities to opposition groups. The constant struggles between unstable governments and power, led groups into civil war violence, disrupting social norms and civil trusts. Canada and NATO are focused on rebuilding a strong democracy while promoting political peace among parties by collaborating with elections and providing supporting experts. Building a vigorous democracy, stable associations and affiliations, allow civil political liberties to advance to all aspects of development, distributing voting power among its citizens, and creating future foreign investment desires.
Canada provides humanitarian assistance on basic necessities such as food, blanket, water and vaccines for refugees, vulnerable and displaced victims. With basis on human rights, this act strengthens human dignity to overcome environmental tragedies, and with further socio economic and civil political programs, victims become contributors to society.
The border security strategy maintains country’s stability, allowing economic growth and social order to strengthen. Canada plans to support the dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan to provide peace and logistic opportunities for both Parties. Afghanistan is geographically trapped and it depends on neighboring countries to access the Arabian Sea. This accessibility provides Afghanistan grand logistic opportunities to reach Asia and other markets. With peace as a goal, Canada’s strategic plan is to infuse economic growth on Afghan’s city borders, creating market demands and convenient accessibilities for Pakistani.
Poverty, inequalities, unstable governments and environments are the main causes of civil wars in many developing nations and consequently affects global safety. The socio economic development strategy has become a new language in the international defense system, but most importantly, it has given new meanings to the respect of human rights in global security and peace goals.
Citations
[1]. The White House (2004) The White House Blog. Afghanistan and NATO. http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/04/Afghanistan-and-NATO/ (Consulted on 26 February 2010).
[2]. NATO. International Security Assistance. http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/our-mission/(Consulted on 23 February 2010).
[3]. CNN. Afghanistan to Change Controversial ‘Rape’ Law. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/16/afghanistan.law.karzai/ (Consulted on 4 March 2010).
[4]. National Defence and the Canadian Forces. Operation Athena. http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/athena/index-eng.asp (Consulted on 23 February 2010).
[5]. Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan. http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/priorities-priorites/index.aspx?menu_id=15&menu=L (Consulted on 23 February 2010).
[6]. Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan. Delivery Basic Necessity. http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/priorities-priorites/services.aspx (Consulted on 23 February 2010).
Bibliography
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CNN Asia. Karzai: Afghanistan to Review Criticized Sharia Law. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/04/afghanistan.womens.rights/index.html (Consulted on 3 March 2010).
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NATO. North Atlantic Treaty. http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_17120.htm Washington, D.C. 4 April 1949. (Consulted on 3 March 2010).
Sen, Amartya. (1999). Development as Freedom. New York: Anchor Books.
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© 2010, Lilian Yamasaki. All rights reserved.