| The war in Afghanistan has started to divide the activist community with hundreds of people calling for the withdrawal of Canadian troops at October 28 peace rallies held across the country, and other activists arguing that our soldiers need to stay in the country.
Janice Eisenhauer, executive director of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, a non-profit organization that aims to help improve the lives of Afghani women, says her organization did not support the Calgary rally to bring Canadian troops home.
"We do not support withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan. We feel we have a commitment in supporting Afghan people from a moral and a legal perspective," she says.
However, Eisenhauer says her organization does want to see more of a focus on creating security for local Afghan people and increased humanitarian aid rather than just combat operations against insurgent groups including the Taliban.
"We think we need to be very diligent as individuals in how our troops are engaged on the ground," says Eisenhauer. "What are the needs of the Afghan women and children on the ground? Are their lives improving as a result of our mission in Afghanistan?"
Eisenhauer is concerned that the security situation in Afghanistan has been rapidly "deteriorating" and she says that despite the fact Afghanistan is receiving the highest percentage of Canada’s foreign aid. "It isn’t trickling down and getting to those areas where it’s so desperately needed in Afghanistan."
However, she doesn’t agree with critics of the war who argue that Canadian troops are only in the country to support the U.S. war against terror and aren’t really there to help the Afghan population.
Eisenhauer says "stereotypical, old school" peace activists aren’t fairly analyzing the situation in Afghanistan.
"It isn’t that black and white," she says.
Eisenhauer says if the Canadian and other international troops pulled out it would lead to a "violent, volatile, frightening scenario’ because insurgents would regain control of the country.
"This isn’t the first time the international community has left Afghanistan in a very difficult situation. There’s been a window of opportunity in the last five years that we can bring peace building to Afghanistan," she says. "(Afghans) have to have a long term commitment to building a stable environment where they can decide how to build peace and security in their country."
Canada, Democracy and international Law (CANDIL) and Project Ploughshares, non-profit social justice organizations in Calgary, also chose not to participate in the rally calling for the withdrawal of troops. However, both organizations say they have concerns about Canada’s current military role in Afghanistan.
"Ultimately Canadians are questioning what our role is in Afghanistan. I think it’s important we have discussions about what our role is. This is a complex issue and we need to start talking about it," says Julie Hrdlicka, executive director of CANDIL.
She says she’s concerned that Canada’s role in Afghanistan is to support the American war on terror, not to help the Afghan people.
"I think that the direction we’re going in Afghanistan is very dangerous right
now. I think there’s a small window for Canada to change that direction… and make a positive impact on the lives of Afghans," she says.
Tracey Pickup, program coordinator for Project Ploughshares, has similar concerns.
"There are other options besides military options and we have to examine whether we’re being effective. I think it’s already been established that the military option isn’t working," she says.
Human Rights Watch recently criticized NATO forces in Afghanistan for failing to prevent the death of dozens of civilians during recent combat operations. Human Rights Watch also says the security situation in southern Afghanistan is worsening and that’s increasing the number of attacks by Taliban and other insurgent groups against schools. The organization documented 204 cases of attacks on teachers, students and schools between June 2005 and June 2006.
In October, The Senlis Council, an international think-tank on foreign policy, security, development and counter-narcotics policies, that has staff in Afghanistan, released a report that said Canada "has failed to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan population."
"Instead their dominantly military intervention has resulted in significant civilian deaths and local discontent," states the report.
The Senlis Council says the war, drought and attempts to eradicate poppy cultivation in southern Afghanistan is creating thousands of refugees who don’t have food, shelter or medicine. Aid organizations often can’t reach the people because of the security situation. The Senlis Council calls on Canada to immediately increase humanitarian aid and development projects in Afghanistan.
CORRECTION
Re: "Heaven on a half-shelf," by Christine Leonard, Music, CJSW October 26 - November 1.
We failed to mention in the article that the T-shirt design and campaign for this year’s CJSW funding drive was a collaborative effort by both Adam Bracegirdle and Darren Wood. We apologize for the omission. |
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