Rights group seek Afghan MP reinstatement

New York, May 24 (UNI) The Human Rights Watch today urged Afghan authorities to reinstate popular politician Malalai Joya, who was suspended for criticising Parliament, and revise procedures which restrict the freedom of speech.

On May 21, the lower house of the Afghan Parliament voted to suspend Ms Joya for comments she had made during a TV interview the previous day. It is unclear whether her suspension will run until the current parliamentary session ends or whether she will be suspended for the remainder of her term in office, which ends in 2009. In addition to her suspension from Parliament, several legislators have said she could be sued for contempt.

'' Malalai Joya is a staunch defender of human rights and a powerful voice for Afghan women and she shouldn't have been suspended from Parliament,'' Brad Adams, Asia director at the rights body said yesterday. '' Her comments don't warrant the punishment she received and they certainly don't warrant court proceedings.'' Ms Joya had criticised Parliament for failing to accomplish enough for the Afghans, according to news reports. She was quoted as saying during her remarks that, '' A stable or a zoo is better [than the legislature]; at least there you have a donkey that carries a load and a cow that provides milk. This Parliament is worse than a stable or a zoo.'' On May 22, a recorded version of her interview was shown during a session of Parliament. Afterwards, a majority of her colleagues found her guilty of violating Article 70 of the Afghan legislature's rules of procedure, which forbids lawmakers from criticising one another. Ms Joya's specific crime was ''insulting the institution of Parliament.'' The Human Rights Watch, a New York-based body, noted that members of Parliament have regularly criticised one another, but no one has been suspended.

'' The Article banning criticism of Parliament is an unreasonable rule that violates the principle of free speech enshrined in international law and valued around the world,'' Mr Adams said.

'' The Afghan Parliament should be setting an example by promoting and protecting free expression, not by stamping it out.'' The rights body urged the Afghan parliament to take steps to revise Article 70 and ensure that elected representatives can speak freely without fear of suspension or lawsuits.

Ms Joya, 28, is the youngest member of the Afghan legislature. As a 19-year-old refugee in Pakistan, she conducted literacy courses for other Afghan women.

During the Taliban years, she ran an orphanage and health clinic in Afghanistan. In 2003, she gained international attention for speaking out publicly against warlords involved in drafting the Afghan Constitution, according to various news accounts.

Two years later, she was the top vote-getter from Farah province in Afghanistan's parliamentary elections and was easily elected to the lower house.

''Joya is an inspiring example of courage,'' Mr Adams said in his statement. ''Afghanistan's international friends should not hesitate to speak out in her defence.'' UNI