The State Minister for Peace: Justice for War Victims is a Basic Need for a Durable End to the Conflict

Sayed Sadat Mansoor Naderi, the State Minister for Peace, said at the "Victims National Convention" held on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day and the National Day of War Victims: "Seeking justice for war victims is one of the basic needs for a durable end to the violence and conflict."

According to the minister, the international experience of conflict resolution shows that a just and sustainable peace cannot be attained without justice for war victims and their engagement in the peace process.

Mr. Naderi said that the negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, representing the system and the people, is committed to respect the war victims’ rights and reflect their views in the peace process.

The minister highlighted the taken steps toward sustainable peace in the country, mentioning the formation of the negotiating team, the commencement of peace negotiations in Doha and the agreement on the procedure for negotiations, the intensification of regional and global efforts to end the Afghan war, and the formation of the leadership committee of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

Mr. Naderi also called the political consensus with the gathering of political leaders and figures a strong message to the nation and said that they all are unified in defending national interests and maintaining the achievements.

Ms. Shahrzad Akbar the Chairman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), Deborah Lyons the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roland Kubia, EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, and Dr. Sima Samar, the State Minister for Human Rights & International Affairs of Afghanistan also addressed the gathering.

It’s worth mentioning that the Victims National Convention, organized by the National Victims Network with the cooperation of a number of civil society organizations, was attended by more than 200 victims and 30 human rights defender organizations from across the country, and a number of civil society activists, human rights activists and diplomats.