Afghanistan Approves Amnesty for Warlords

The Afghan parliament has approved an amnesty for warlords and others accused of war crimes that could possibly include the Taliban leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar.

The vote drew sharp criticism from human rights groups, the UN and some parliamentarians who insist that the perpetrators of rape, murder and other atrocities must be brought to justice.

"This is not a law, this is about more power for the mujahideen. Millions of Afghans will be unhappy," said Shukria Barakzai, a woman parliamentarian who stormed out of the Wolesi Jirga, or lower house, in protest.

The resolution called for national reconciliation and criticised human rights reports that "name and shame" alleged war criminals. But analysts said it does not have the force of law, which would require the consent of the upper house and President Hamid Karzai.

Syed Mustafa Kazmi, who voted in favour, said the vote would foster unity. Others said the amnesty should apply to the Taliban leadership.

But the UN disagreed, saying that victims' rights were paramount. "No one has the right to forgive those responsible for human rights violations other than the victims themselves," the mission said in a statement.

Analysts believe the hanging of Saddam Hussein may have spurred powerful Afghan politicians into acting against similar trials at home. "Afghans will see this as a sign that their parliament is more concerned with protecting its own members than the people," said Sam Zarifi of Human Rights Watch.

The reckoning of Afghanistan's bloody past is highly sensitive for Mr Karzai. Last December he launched a five-year transitional justice plan, keeping a promise made to western donors one year ago.

But many of those facing the most serious accusations, such as Abdul Rasul Sayaaf, are influential members of parliament or his government. Faced with a worrying Taliban insurgency in the south, Mr Karzai has appeared shy of taking them on.

Some analysts say Afghanistan's national war wounds are too fresh to be examined now. Ideally the issue of amnesty would be decided through a referendum, said Ms Barakzai. "But the country is not ready for that yet," she said.