Statement by H.E. Dr. Zahir Tanin

Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations

At the Security Council debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict

Mr. President,

Let me begin by expressing my delegation’s gratitude to you for organizing today’s open debate on protection of civilians in armed conflict. Last week’s debate on post-conflict stabilization was very productive and we believe that today’s topic is inextricably linked to stabilization and peace building.  The protection of civilians is a very important issue to Afghanistan as the Taliban and al-Qaeda continue their heinous acts to disrupt the efforts of the government and international forces for establishing a stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan.

In our endeavor towards developing a democratic state, it is essential that all citizens feel their human rights are secure and everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The most basic human right is the right to live in security but too often people in Afghanistan are deprived of this fundamental right by terrorists.

Indiscriminate and brutal terrorist attacks are carried out in Afghanistan particularly, in the southern part of the country as terrorists use fear-tactics to undermine people’s trust in their government and the international community. Whether in the form of roadside bombings, suicide attacks, or various other heartless killings – the acts of violence committed against civilians by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are premeditated. They are designed to weaken the determination of the international community to support Afghanistan and the trust the government is trying to build with our citizens.

Mr. President,

The enemies of Afghanistan intentionally seize opportunities to use civilians in combat in order to complicate the response of international and national security forces. The insurgents attack remote villages populated by peaceful farmers and laborers. They take shelter in or around homes and buildings, using them to attack security forces, in an attempt to force combat in civilian areas. Local residents are inevitably caught in the middle. The Afghan government and international forces spare no effort to avoid civilian casualties, while terrorists use civilians as human shields. The suicide attacks are the clear manifestation of deliberate killing of innocent people. In fact, they thrive on a casual disregard for the sanctity of human life and the enmity widespread violence breeds.

Although it is very difficult to avoid collateral damage, an integral part of military planning is to avoid harming civilians. The number of civilian casualties is lower than often reported. Also, we are not certain about the accuracy of casualty estimates presented by international organizations as they are mainly based on reports that in many cases latter proved to be exaggerated. In fact we face an enemy without a uniform or identity badge, indistinguishable from local people. As a result, a dead Talib may be perceived as a civilian death if he is an Afghan.

Mr. President,

Despite the complexity of the issue, the protection of civilians is of the highest priority for our government. Our forces act with the utmost precaution during combat in civilian areas. Furthermore, international and Afghan forces have recently implemented new methods including the use of smaller bombs and revised the use of other weaponries. A new mechanism of coordination between ISAF and our security forces has been established in the eastern and southern zones, which allows us to carefully plan operations and avoid collateral damage.

Mr. President,

Thanks to these methods and mechanisms, my delegation is happy to report that the number of civilian casualties and airstrikes during counter-terrorist operations has decreased considerably since 2007. However, the government of Afghanistan is deeply concerned with any loss of civilian life, and urges the international community to exercise utmost caution during combat operations.

Mr. President,

Although we have come a long way -much more needs to be done both in Afghanistan and beyond. Unfortunately, where there is armed conflict, there will be casualties – it is a sad and painful truth. In order to enjoy the popular support of the people, any use of force by the government requires an elaborate moral justification. Insurgents and terrorists take advantage of this necessity with acts of violence that erect a barrier of fear and mistrust between the people and their government. Nonetheless, the most important question in front of us is how to minimize civilian casualties in armed conflict. The international community and the government of Afghanistan have a common understanding that it is imperative to enhance coordination between national governments and international organizations in a view to protect civilians.

Mr. President,

We are in a battle to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan. Terrorists are ruthless and irresponsible by nature: they intentionally exploit our sense of fairness. However, our humanity is not a weakness. In fact, it is the very foundation of our society. Hence it is crucial that we act upon what we have learned here today to secure the lives of civilians and engage local communities who are at the front lines of the struggle. After all, the diplomatic efforts here, and the counter-terrorist operations on the ground have a common goal: to protect the peoples of our nations without whom there would be nothing to fight for.

Thank you Mr. President.

Statement by H.E. Zahir Tanin Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations at the celebration of the 1150th Birth anniversary of Abu Abdullah Rudaki

Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we are gathered with members of friend-nations who share a common language, culture, religion and history to commemorate the 1150th anniversary of Abu Abdullah Rudaki’s birth. Rudaki is one of the founders of the rich classical literature which belongs to Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan as well the millions who speak the same language throughout the world. I would like to personally welcome Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. My welcome extends to Permanent Representatives, UN delegates and dignitaries, as well as the guests and friends of the Afghan, Iranian and Tajik community in the New York area.
Abu Abdullah Rudaki was a master of words, a gifted poet, mellifluous voice, a talented musician – and a great cultural icon.
It is a tribute to the richness of our literature and culture that we are able to gather here today like we did last year, to mark the 800th anniversary of another great icon, Moulana Rumi Balkhi, and we are grateful to once again join in the spirit of our shared cultural heritage.
Rudaki was born in Transoxiana or today’s Tajikistan, and attended madrasahs in the historic city of Samarqand where he began to write poetry when he was only eight years old. As was the tradition at the time, Rudaki wrote, read and sang lyrical and unparalleled poetry enjoyed by the common people. Even today, we are left enchanted by his beautiful masterpieces. He was indeed in a class of his own.
Abu Abdullah Rudaki was the son of a region blessed by a flourishing civilization founded by the Samanid Dynasty. During this epoch, our land underwent a dramatic change where science, literature and culture were transformed and works of great

intellectuals emerged. The center of this transformation, the city of Bukhara, the capital of the Samanids, had a special role as the heart of Sufi Islam and the entire Islamic world, and therefore at the time, of the world itself. At the time, literary, scientific and cultural learning helped to create a Renaissance that swept the region.
It was a time that great intellectuals such as: Abu Muayid Balkhi, Abu Reyhan Biruni, Abu Nasr Farabi, Muhammad Zekriya Razi, Imam al-Bukhari, and Ibn Sina, or as we know him in English, Avicenna, and others who had a lasting impact on our tradition of learning and knowledge thrived. In speaking of the greatness of Bukhara, Avicenna remarked that the library of Bukhara was the greatest he had ever seen.
Rudaki was invited to the Samanid Court by the famous reformer king Nasr Ibn Ahmad Samani. Rudaki was blessed by the prosperity and intellectual richness of the time, and the legacy of his works is a blessing to us today. Rudaki had another crucial role in founding the traditions of our literature; he was one of the first prominent poets to begin composing his works in Persian Dari language which replaced Arabic as the dominant language of administration, learning and writing.
A world without words is almost unimaginable and the words of great poets such as Rudaki reveal an inherent connection between our peoples. His poetry and music serve as reminders of our common past and the shared history, language, religion and culture of Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan. Rudaki lost his sight in his later years but Rudaki never lost sight of his love of people, art, nature and solidarity – some of the common themes threaded together in the fabric of his vibrant imagination.
Today’s celebration is a celebration of the Master of Words we know as Abu Abdullah Rudaki, but it is also a reminder of the unbroken culture interconnectedness between Afghans, Iranians and Tajiks. Rudaki conveyed a message of peace, tolerance and solidarity and he belongs to all of us.