The Charter of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan

In the Name of Allah Almighty, the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate

And those who (conduct) their affairs by consultation among themselves (Al-Quran 42-38)

Introduction

In the last two decades, Afghanistan with the help of the international community achieved considerable progress in numerous aspects of the life of its citizens. It expanded its international relations; creating the basis for economic, cultural and political cooperation with other. Of course, the opportunities which were presented to Afghanistan were not used optimally, because of the shortcomings of the country’s leadership.  On the August 15, 2021 the entire system and the Islamic Republic  collapsed. In their place, the Taliban terrorist group, which is part of a global network of terrorists, took over. As a result of treachery and betrayal of Ashraf Ghani’s administration and legitimacy which had been conferred on this terrorist group during the Doha negotiations process, , a disaster  unfolded, impacting all aspects of life in Afghanistan. The economy collapsed and the country’s nascent economic system was destroyed. The education system was disrupted. Women and girls were excluded from key levels of education and from employment. Poverty became widespread in the country. Freedom of expression and the media were severely restricted. The Taliban, with their extremist interpretation of Islam, have imposed an iron despotism. They responded to the mildest protest or opposition with violent crackdowns, murder and bullets.

However, the Taliban’s violent actions have failed to suppress resistance, protest and popular opposition. Instead, protests and acts of civil resistance, especially by women, have expanded across the country over time. Meanwhile, the international community’s insistence on seeking a peaceful solution to this crisis has not yielded any results.

We respect the civil protests staged by women and men as well as the stand taken by brave resistance fighters across the country against the Taliban attempt to impose themselves by force. Our prayers are with the martyred who sacrificed their lives on the resistance frontlines and with all those killed by Taliban. We pray for the recovery of all the wounded. We honor all the martyred of years of Jihad and Resistance, as they defended freedom, independence and the territorial integrity of the country. We respect all the families of martyred, the refugees and all those who have been affected by the crisis. We appreciate all the efforts made to establish a just and democratic system. Nonetheless, the crisis still continues.

We are grateful to the international community for the fact that they have stood by the people of Afghanistan. We appreciate that they have not recognized the despotic and illegitimate rule of the Taliban and have conditioned any recognition of a new system in Afghanistan on the Taliban’s adherence to the Doha agreement and establishment of a broad-based transitional administration and an elected system of government. However, we do not consider this position of the international community towards the Taliban adequate. Therefore we call on the international community to base their stance towards the Taliban on the UN Security Council resolution number 2513 dated March 10, 2020, and the communique of the Geneva international conference on Afghanistan on November 23-24, 2020. These emphasized the importance of dialogue among the people of Afghanistan, to establish the country’s future system and government based on the will of the people, expressed through elections. These key documents provide for participation of all ethnicities, religious groups, women and youths. They reject the return of the Taliban’s emirate regime and the associated terrorist threat to global peace and security.

We realize the depth and scale of the political, social and economic crisis precipitated by Taliban rule. We have considered our religious, national and historic mission to rescue the country from complete destruction. We hope to ensure effective cooperation and coordination among political parties and current and national and prominent public figures in the joint task of liberating the country and its people from the current crisis. Therefore, we formed a coalition under name of the “the National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan” on May 17, 2022. We have now adopted a set of bylaws under the title of “Charter of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan”, comprising this introduction and the following articles:

Chapter One

General provisions

Article 1

The name of this political coalition shall be “The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan’’ which, hereinafter, shall be referred to as the “Council of Resistance.”

Article 2

The name of this document is the “Charter of the National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan” which hereinafter shall be referred to as the “Charter of the Council of Resistance.”

Article 3

Proportional and balanced representation of ethnic groups in membership and management of the Council of Resistance bodies shall be observed by ensuring the presence of effective figures from these groups in this Council.

Chapter Two

Foundations and Values

Article 4

Deeply concerned about the expansion of extremism and terrorism in all their forms as well as the  systematic killings and the country becoming a battlefield for proxy wars. We take note of the need for a comprehensive action to counter these;

Article 5

Acknowledging the need for the unity of political forces for the sake of protecting our independence, safeguarding territorial integrity, defending the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, including women and men;

Article 6

Considering the egregious political, security, and economic faults of the ruling teams in the past twenty years (2001-2021) which turned unprecedented opportunities into challenges; reviewing them as well as learning lessons from the intentional and unintentional mistakes of the last 20 years and seriously trying to prevent their repetition;

Article 7

Highlighting the failed experience of all the previous political regimes of Afghanistan in terms of respecting the people’s right to exercise their will in decision-making and micro-management by the center of provinces and districts; and the need for fundamental change to the structure of the country’s political system;

Article 8

With a deep understanding of the country’s God-gifted natural wealth and huge human capacity whose optimal and fair utilization can provide for self-reliance, economic growth, and welfare of the people;

Article 9

Hoping that our dear homeland Afghanistan will become a secure and stable, free and prosperous and just country where the fundamental rights of its citizens rooted in Islamic teachings and human rights values are ensured and its citizens enjoy equal rights and responsibilities in real life and before the law, free from ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious discrimination;

Article 10

Believing that Afghanistan should become a locus for cooperation and regional connectivity, respecting the United Nations charter, the Islamic Cooperation Organization charter, Islamic human rights declaration, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and pursuing the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs of other countries, good neighborliness peaceful coexistence and pursuing a positive and active policy of neutrality;

Article 11

Realizing that Afghanistan will try to announce at an international conference that it wishes to have no problems with any country and wishes to emerge as a neutral country in the arena of international politics and that there is a need for the international community to give necessary guarantees of non-interference in Afghanistan’s affairs;

Article 12

We believe that an army is a prerequisite for a modern state, enabling a legitimate government to exercise its monopoly over the use of force. We consider that the rebuilding of the army, police, and national security institutions is urgently required for the integrity and stability of Afghanistan. This rebuilding should be carried out in a way that makes these institutions strong. It should involve recruitment of the former military and security cadres and forces that are honest, committed, and loyal to the homeland. The technical and professional capabilities of these cadres and forces should be strengthened so they can play an appropriate role in accomplishing the mission to maintain national sovereignty, territorial integrity and rule of law in the country;

Article 13

Emphasizing that the Taliban, especially after they usurped the government, have committed multiple egregious violations of human rights norms and committed crimes against humanity including torture, summary execution, enforced disappearance, forced eviction of defenseless people from their homes and places of living, expropriating and distributing people’s lands and properties to their own followers; we believe that their inhumane  acts should not remain unpunished and that the world and international human rights organizations should not stay silent. The Taliban should be held accountable for the consequences of their crimes and victims compensated. Meanwhile Taliban actions are devoid of any legal standing and their administration lacks legitimacy.

Chapter Three

Goals and Visions

Political system

Article 14

Returning the sovereignty to the people through establishing a system and government based on collective will as manifest through transparent and fair elections;

Article 15

Consolidating a non-centralized parliamentary Islamic Republic system in which:

1. The Republic and Islamic democracy can better crystalize in the form of a parliamentary system and contribute to the flourishing of strong parties, independence of the judiciary, rule of law, ensuring fundamental rights of citizens, safeguarding human life and freedom of expression, and be more effective in making the government responsive and leaders and administrators responsible;
2. A parliamentary system that is based on fair elections in a way that all ethnic groups residing in Afghanistan’s provinces have balanced representation proportionate to their population;
3. In addition to central government and municipal authorities, provincial and district governors are elected.

Elections of councils, provincial and district governors

Article 16

Members of local (provincial, district and village) councils shall be elected through direct elections,

Article 17

1. Provincial and district governors can be elected directly or indirectly
2. The manner of the election of provincial and district governors shall be specified by law

Mandates of local councils and officials

Article 18

Provincial and district councils, consistent with the authority of the National Assembly shall have the mandate to approve local budgets, draft and approve development bills and plans for management of education affairs, the promotion of native language and culture, public health, women’s empowerment, local public infrastructure, local public transportation, levying and collecting local tax and protection of the environment as well as overseeing execution of functions of local authorities, and will enjoy constitutional protection.

Article 19

Public participation shall be ensured while considering ethnic, religious and cultural diversity and balance and all forms of discrimination against any citizen shall be prohibited;

Article 20

Authorities of local (provincial, district and village) councils shall be regulated by law in view of the contents of this charter.

Revision of administrative units

Article 21

We consider it necessary to revise the country’s administrative units/divisions based on the successful experiences of countries in the region and the world at large and based on the geographical, economic, and cultural realities of our dear homeland.

Electoral system

Article 22

Supporting an electoral system that can simultaneously ensure fair party, ethnic, geographical, and gender representation and provide an opportunity for independent candidates to compete.

Fight against extremism and terrorism

Article 23

The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan considers the extremist interpretation of Islam – which constitutes the ideology of the Taliban and many other terrorist groups in the Islamic world – contrary to the Islamic teachings based on the opinions of Islamic scholars and credible religious authorities. The Council stresses the need for countering extremism and terrorism in all their ideological and cultural aspects and forms, to prevent exploitation of religious teachings. The Council recognizes the need to prevent Afghanistan being turned into a safe haven for extremism and terrorism. The Council will contribute to regional and world peace and security. It stresses the need to fight against any force that denies the legitimate freedoms and fundamental rights of the people of Afghanistan and denies their democratic sovereignty.

Defending national interests

Article 24

Defending national interests, national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity based on social justice among ethnic groups and citizens, fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, especially women, based on Islamic values and the universal declaration of human rights.

Social justice in all areas

Article 25

Ensuring social justice, fair distribution of resources, national opportunities, the fair and proportionate participation of all ethnic groups of Afghanistan in political power and governance based on merit and within the framework of the political system articulated in this charter.

Role of Religious Scholars

Article 26

Emphasizing the role of true scholars in explaining religious teachings and removing the tarnish of prejudice, deviation and extremism from their understanding is considered one of the vital needs of society.

Women participation

Article 27

Supporting active participation of women in all areas such as education, higher education, and work, economic, political, social and cultural activities.

Emphasizing youth’s role

Article 28

Recognizing the critical capabilities and capacities of youths and in addition to emphasizing the need for effective investments in them, the National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan is committed to advancing the role and status of the young generation and educated and specialized cadres in today’s management and executive affairs of the Council and after the victory. The council considers this as an essential step in the implementation of the spirit of this charter.

Cultural and linguistic diversity

Article 29

Respecting the linguistic and cultural diversity by observing the principle of justice and equality of values of ethnic groups and the reflection of those values in national documents and symbols such as the national anthem, national flag, symbols, medals, bank notes, national days and personalities.

Participation in decision-making

Article 30

Adhering to the principle of collective wisdom, institutional approach, and decision-making based on the principle of the participation of all ethnicities of the country in all leadership and management fields.

Economic policy

Article 31

For the purpose of balanced and sustainable development, modernizing agriculture, alleviating poverty, creating jobs, and ensuring self-reliance with a productive economic approach, an economic system will be adopted that will provide a social safety net which prevents the deepening of the divide between poverty and wealth;

Foreign policy

Article 32

An economy-driven policy will be pursued in foreign relations based on the priorities of Afghanistan as a landlocked country with rich natural resources that rely on regional and international cooperation in the fields of agriculture and livestock, trade and transit, excavation of mines, tapping of energy resources, human resources and the potential of Afghanistan’s geo-economic location;

Chapter Four

Priorities of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan

Negotiations for peace and establishing an inclusive transitional government and elected system and government

Article 33

Efforts to establish lasting peace and ensure political stability of the country are the top priority of the Council of Resistance; the Council of Resistance prefers negotiation with the Taliban as a way out of the current dire situation of the country, as well as the formation of an inclusive transitional government to pave the way for the establishment of a popularly elected system and government, and all its members welcome in a united and coordinated fashion any opportunity that can contribute to achieving national reconciliation through genuine dialogue among various groups of the people of Afghanistan.

Seeking other ways                                                                               

Article 34

If the Taliban do not submit to the rightful demands of the country’s citizens and the world and refuse genuine negotiations to establish an inclusive transitional government and then an elected system and government, the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan will begin practical action in response to the growing demands of supporters and followers of parties,  and personalities that are members of the council as well as the free and defiant people of Afghanistan to expand national resistance and uprisings across the country till the toppling of the illegitimate Taliban government and achieving enduring peace and stability in an elected system and government.

Support for the legitimate defense of resistance fighters

Article 35

Affirming the people’s just demands and actions to secure their rights, the Council of Resistance supports the resistance fronts in all parts of the country, especially the National Resistance Front, that have been defending their life, property, family, honor and land against the oppression, aggression and imposition of illegitimate and monopolistic and supremacist government of the Taliban and view resistance as the legitimate right of those defenders.

Aligning and Coordinating Activities

Article 36

In order to realize the goals and principles enshrined in this charter, policies will be developed and each of the Leadership Council members shall call on their party members and followers to coordinate and align their activities based on those policies.

Article 37

Each of the members as the head of a party or group or a political personality, commensurate to their abilities, shall make serious efforts for the realization and implementation of policies and programs of the Council of Resistance, within the framework of this charter;

Article 38

The Council of Resistance shall coordinate its media activities in view of the goals and visions enshrined in this charter and emphasize avoiding unsound competition for strengthening a particular party or faction at the expense of other parties and tendencies.

Call on parties, groups and personalities for cooperation

Article 39

The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan shall consult and forge an understanding with all effective political parties, groups and personalities, Islamic scholars, women and youths working inside and outside the country for rescuing the country from the existing  situation, and welcomes their coordination and cooperation with the Council or joining it.

Relation with the international community and attracting their cooperation

Article 40

Afghanistan with the help of international community witnessed significant progress in numerous aspects of life in the last twenty years. All of these achievements have either been eliminated after the coming of the Taliban government or are in the process of being eliminated. The Council of Resistance tries to forge effective and purposeful relations with the international community by attracting the cooperation of the country’s committed political activists and diplomats across the world, to inform them about the harm caused by Taliban rule to Afghanistan and the threat posed to peace and security of the region and the world.

Chapter Five

Structure of the National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan and the scope of work for its sub-structures

Article 41

In order to realize the goals enshrined in this charter, the following bodies have been established within the framework of the Council of Resistance:

1. Constituent Assembly
2. Leadership Council
3. High Council
4. Secretariat
5. Working committees

Constituent Assembly

Article 42

The Constituent Assembly comprises personalities that participated in person, virtually or through their representatives in the historic meeting chaired by the honorable Ustad Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf and hosted by Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum on May 17, 2022 in which the National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan was formed with the approval of the overall principles of its charter and issue of a declaration;

Article 43

1. The duties of the Constituent Assembly shall end upon the formation of the Leadership Council from among the members of this Assembly.
2. Members of the Constituent Assembly who do not become members of the Leadership Council shall be members of the High Council and the Assembly shall be dissolved and the names of its members shall be recorded in a document as the founders of an important historic event that will be archived.

Leadership Council

Article 44

The leadership council shall be the highest decision-making authority in the Council of Resistance after the High Council. It shall comprise leaders of effective political parties and personalities including men and women who were members of the Constituent Assembly or were introduced to the Council by these leaders and personalities;

Article 45

The Leadership Council shall have a fixed number of members; if the Leadership Council deems it necessary, an increase in the number of the leadership council members shall be decided while taking into account the conditions for membership.

Article 46

The principle of proportionality and balance among the sides that participate in the Council of Resistance shall be observed in the allocation of membership of council bodies.

Article 47

Applications of new candidates for membership of the leadership council shall be submitted at the suggestion of at least one of the Leadership Council members and shall be subject to the agreement of the Council.

Article 48

Qualifications of Leadership Council members

1. Be head of an effective political party or group or be a distinguished political or social personality;
2. Have a good reputation;
3. Accept the charter of the Council of Resistance and commit to seriously making an effort for the realization of its values and goals;
4. To this end, submit a request to this council through a member of the Leadership Council;

Article 49

All decisions of the Leadership Council shall be made in a consultative manner and effort shall be made to ensure they are made unanimously, otherwise with the presence of the majority, at least two third of all members, and by a vote of two thirds of the members present;

Article 50

The first meeting of the Leadership Council shall be held under the presidency of its oldest member. The presidency of the meetings of the Leadership Council shall be on a rotating basis.

Article 51

Authorities of the Leadership Council

1. Elect members of the High Council;
2. Appoint and dismiss the administrative board of the secretariat, administrative board of committees and boards, approve their rules of procedures, plans and programs;
3. Develop and approve policies and programs of the Council of Resistance in light of the charter;
4. Perform the authorities of the High Council till the formation of this council;

Article 52

The Leadership Council shall exercise its duties and authorities based on rules of procedure that it shall approve and it shall set out the procedures for convening its meetings.

High Council

Article 53

The High Council is the highest decision-making authority of the Council of Resistance.

Article 54

The High Council shall comprise of leaders of effective political parties and groups, political personalities, Islamic Schokars, civil society activists, active women and youths in addition to the members of the Leadership Council, administrative boards of committees.

Article 55

Qualifications of members of the High Council;

1. Good reputation;
2. Effective and people person;
3. Accept the charter of the Council of Resistance and commit to working towards the realization of its values and goals;
4. Submit a request to the council to that effect through at least one member of the Leadership Council and his/her approval;

Article 56

The High Council can have 250 to 301 members; if the Leadership Council deems it appropriate, it can increase the number of its members.

Article 57

Authorities of the High Council

1. Amend and approve the charter of the Council of Resistance;
2. Approve programs and policies proposed by the Leadership Council;
3. Take decisions about the major policies of the Council of Resistance such as negotiations, reconciliation and armed resistance;
4. Elect members of the Leadership Council for a two year term.

Article 58

The term of the High Council shall be for two years and the High Council shall specify its working method through a rule of procedure in light of this charter.

Secretariat

Article 59

The secretariat shall regulate the affairs of committees. The head and other members of the administrative board shall be proposed by the head in view of its duties and approved by the Leadership Council as needed.

Article 60

The Secretariat shall be managed by its head and led by the Leadership Council. It shall prepare its rules of procedure and present them to the Leadership Council for approval and report to the Leadership Council

Committees

Article 61

The committees of the Council of Resistance shall be set up by the Leadership Council as needed and the rules of procedure for each of them shall be approved in a document by the Leadership Council.

Article 62

The committees shall be managed by their administrative boards and led by the Leadership Council and each of the committees shall operate under the supervision of one of the Leadership Council members.

Article 63

The committees are as follows:

1. Strategic Communication Committee
2. Foreign Relations Committee
3. Political Committee
4. Defense and Security Affairs Committee
5. Islamic Scholars Committee
6. Women’s Affairs Committee
7. Youth and Civil Society Affairs Committee
8. Information and Culture Committee
9. Human Rights Committee
10. Peace and Negotiation Committee
11. Parliamentary Affairs Committee
12. Economic Affairs Committee
13. Education Committee
14. Higher Education Committee
15. Refugee Affairs Committee
16. Social Affairs Committee

Article 64

The Leadership Council, according to its need and at its discretion, can set up new committees and other necessary bodies and specify their purviews.

Article 65

The administrative board including the head, deputies and secretary of the committees shall be appointed by the Leadership Council for a period of six months and their terms can be extended for another six months; new administrative boards shall be appointed from among the committees (board of committees).

Article 66

Each committee shall prepare its rules of procedure and send them to the Leadership Council for approval through the secretariat.

Article 67

The committees shall report to the Leadership Council.

Chapter Six

Miscellaneous provisions

Article 68

Efforts shall be made by the signatories of this charter to enshrine in Afghanistan’s future constitution what is enshrined in this charter with regards to the future political system of Afghanistan.

Article 69

During the transition, chapter two of the (2004) constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan shall be effective except for the articles that contradict and are in conflict with the content of this charter.

Article 70

The cost of activities of the Council of Resistance shall be financed from the payments made by the Leadership Council members and contributions of its followers.

Article 71

This charter which has been prepared with an introduction, six chapters and seventy articles has become effective upon the approval by the Leadership Council on July 29, 2022.

Note:

This charter was approved by the Leadership Council.

It is worth mentioning that “Hezb-e Dawat-e Islami Afghanistan defers the discussion and decision about the country’s political system structure to the future” and “Hezb-e Islami does not agree with the mention of word “noncentralized” in connection with the country’s future political system” and the National Congress Party emphasized that the political system favored in this charter should be “federal.”