AfghansForPeace-org
Host: Basima Farhat
Previously Aired On: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 – Listen to the Show!
Afghans for Peace (AFP) is an alliance of Afghans from various ethnic, religious, socio-economic, cultural, and political backgrounds with a united vision for a democratic, all inclusive, just and peaceful Afghanistan. In order to actualize this vision, we demand an end to U.S. and NATO military operations within Afghanistan. AFP consists of students, professionals, community leaders, and socio-politically aware activists.
ABOUT AFGHANS FOR PEACE
MISSION STATEMENT
The heart of our philosophy is to demand that Afghan people be allowed their right to self determination. We do not believe that a military response to Afghanistan’s problems is a solution. As a superior alternative, we seek to engage in partnerships leading to the sustainable development that empowers the people, and improves the education and health of Afghan citizens.
AFP recognizes that on-going US as well as other nations’ foreign policies have had disastrous effects on the people of Afghanistan and as a result seeks to impact these policies in order to create peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan.
WE DEMAND:
•an end to the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan by US, NATO and other foreign military forces, as well as a complete stop on all civilian casualties caused by military operations.
•expulsion of all foreign hostile groups, such as Al-Qaeda.
•an end to Taliban atrocities on the Afghan people.
•a civilian based peace initiative that is sustainable and inclusive of all the people of Afghanistan.
•an end to the foreign exploitation of natural resources in Afghanistan.
•an end to the exploitation of international aid money to Afghanistan meant for helping the Afghan people and rebuilding of Afghanistan.
•an end to the racial profiling, unlawful detainment, deportation, and imprisonment of Afghans, Muslims, people from the Middle East and South Asia, etc.
•an end to prisons such as Guantanamo, Bagram, and other secret-torture based prisons. We need proper treatment and reparations for the victims of these unjust prison systems.
AFP’s strategy is to mobilize the international Afghan community to take a firm stance against the war and occupation in Afghanistan. We plan to support and build bridges across pro-peace communities in the international Afghan community including within Afghanistan. We plan to empower Afghan youth worldwide by giving them a platform to express their voice.
Our goal is to spread awareness in the global Afghan community, encourage open dialogue, and discuss peaceful alternatives to war. Currently we have local chapters in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, Mazar-e-Sharif and Toronto. We are also collaborating on projects with other peace movements inside Afghanistan such as Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers.
We seek to create a united global Afghan voice in order to advocate for peace through community outreach, rallies, conferences, and other grassroots movements. We hope to engage in partnerships that meet the interests of all Afghans and lead to the sustainable development of Afghanistan.
We view all ethnic and/or religious groups within the borders of Afghanistan, such as Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Shias, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Baluchis, and Nuristanis, Pashai, Pamiris, Kurds, Aimaks, Gujjar, Tatars, Kyrgyz, Siekhs, Hindus, Brahui, and other groups as equally important and an integral part of the fabric that makes our people a diverse community. In order for any long term peaceful solution to work, all these groups MUST be included in the peace process.
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