On Thursday, December 5, 2019, the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS), launched its recent research paper titled “Ethnic Groups and Division of Political Power in Afghanistan”. This study explores the constitution’s success and/or failure in distribution of power among different ethnic groups; the characteristics of an appropriate system that is in harmony with social and political realities of the country; and changes or reforms needed to improve political participation of different ethnic groups? Distinguished politicians, diplomats, academics, civil society members and media representatives attended the event.
Dr. Sediqa Bakhtiari, AISS researcher and the author of the research paper, Dr. Mahiyuddin Mehdi, Former MP, Dr. Anwarulhqa Ahadi, and Former Minister were the speakers of panel accompanying the launch program. The event was moderated by Farahnaz Forotan, Journalist.
In the beginning of the program, Dr. Sediqa Bakhtiari presented summary of the findings of the research. She said that the main question of this research is whether ethnic groups in Afghanistan are satisfied with the division of political power in the country. She discussed the constitution and the current political system that were the result of the Bonn Process. She also briefly discussed the recommendations of the authors of the research.
Dr. Mahiyuddin Mahdi discussed the findings of the research and the problems of the current political system in the country that “does not satisfy the needs of the country”. He put forward recommendations for a political system that would “accommodate everyone without discrimination”, including the non-Muslim population of the country and the Taliban.
Dr. Anwarulhaq Ahadi briefly critiqued the methodology of the research. He spoke about the problems in the current political system as well as how to reform it based on the current realities in the ground.
At the end, the speakers of the program engaged in Q&A session. The researchers also responded to questions and critiques of the research.
AISS published this research in the series of its Constitutional & Political System Reform Studies researches. AISS has previously conducted research on Election, Electoral Reforms, Constitution, and Alternative Political Systems in Afghanistan (Find links below).
https://aiss.af/persian/aiss/publication_list_by_category/1