AJSC roadmap stresses over freedom of expression in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan Journalist Safety Committee (AJSC) has presented a roadmap to support press freedom in the Afghan reconciliation process.

In collaboration with Afghan media representatives, the sole purpose of the roadmap is to protect and preserve press freedom as a fundamental principle and value in Afghanistan and as one of the most significant achievements of the past two decades.

The document says that press freedom is one of the major achievements of the post-Taliban as Afghanistan is currently home to hundreds of media outlets, which broadcast in various languages for a variety of audiences across the country.

There are also media outlets which are run by women in the country.

The Afghan people rely on the media for their information and awareness of all that’s happening in the country. It has also served as the anchor of freedom for a country, which has been ruled by repressive regimes for the most part.

Based on ranking from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Afghanistan possesses greater press freedom than any other country in the region, including India, which is considered the world’s largest democracy. However, with the onset of attempts for political settlement of the ongoing war in Afghanistan, there is a real threat to press freedom in the country.

The Taliban have traditionally declared their opposition to press freedom, particularly the presence of women in the media. In the past two decades, they have also attacked many media outlets and remain responsible for the killing of dozens of media workers who represent the great cost that journalists and the country as a whole have paid for press freedom.

Despite these threats, Afghanistan’s legal foundation offers strong support for protection of press freedom. This has been significant for expansion of press freedom and protecting it against pressures from the government and all belligerent groups.

In addition to Afghanistan’s laws, International and regional declarations and covenants also guarantee this right. Article 19 of the Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights obliges member states to respect the right of their citizens.

Likewise, article 21 of the Declaration of Human Rights states, “Every human being has the right to freely express his or her opinion in any way that is not contrary to religious principles.”

Some of Afghanistan’s previous constitutions have also attempted to protect this right. Following the independence of the country in 1919, Afghanistan’s then constitution offers significant support to press freedom at a time when no other country in the region accepted freedoms of press and expression. This also means that Afghanistan has a long history of constitutionalism and struggle for press freedom.

Afghanistan’s current constitution, which was approved by the Constitutional Loya Jirga in 2003, guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the media. Article 34 of the constitution states, “freedom of expression shall be inviolable. Every Afghan shall have the right to express thoughts through speech, writing, illustrations as well as other means in accordance with provisions of the constitution.”

The Media Law, which was formulated in light of the aforementioned article of the constitution, also offers strong support to freedoms of expression and media.  

The constitution also obliges the country to comply with international covenants to which Afghanistan has acceded, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Other safeguards for constitutional rights of citizens, including the right to freedom of expression, have also been incorporated into the constitution. Even if a state of emergency is declared, this right is protected from government restrictions. The constitution also does not permit any restrictive and retrospective modifications to fundamental rights.

It is noteworthy that, in January 2020, the Afghan government joined the Global Coalition for Media Freedom launched by the UK and Canadian governments, which requires the member states to take the recommended measures for protection of press freedom and journalist safety. This further strengthens the obligation towards protection of press freedom in Afghanistan.

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