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

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

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds and may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon the most honored of messengers Muhammed (s.a.v.), upon his family and all companions which are good enough and immaculate from the beginning until the day of the Judgment.

“And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affairs are guided by consultation among themselves, and who spend from what we have provided them,” (Surah ash-shura, Ayat, 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 its neighbors and international partners. Of course, the opportunities which were presented to Afghanistan were not used optimally, because of the shortcomings of the country’s leadership. However, a small circle of government insiders acting in combination with powerful international representatives betrayed the people of Afghanistan. They legitimized the Taliban terrorist group in the Doha negotiations process and opened the way for the Taliban back to grab power on the August 15, 2021 the entire system and the Islamic Republic collapsed. 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 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, and we are still at the beginning of a long path of struggle to save the country from terrorists and to free the people from their power monopoly and tyranny.

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. Conditions set by the international community for recognition of a new system in Afghanistan include the establishment of an inclusive transitional administration, and restoration of human rights, constitutionality and popular democratic accountability. 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 group 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. In these resolutions 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 was emphasized. 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. The resolutions emphasis the importance of eliminating terrorist threats 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 “ Supreme Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan” on May 17, 2022. We have now adopted and agreed a set of bylaws under the title of “Charter of the Supreme Council of National Resistance 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 “Supreme Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan which, hereinafter, shall be referred to as the “Supreme Council of National Resistance shortly SCNR”

Article 2

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

Article 3

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

Chapter Two

Foundations and Values

Article 4

We are alarmed by developments in Afghanistan, including the expansion of extremism and terrorism, the pattern of enforced disappearances and summary executions and the country becoming a battlefield for proxy wars. We note that there is a need for comprehensive action to counter these developments;

Article 5

We acknowledge 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

We highlight 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 we emphasize the need for fundamental change to the structure of the country’s political system;

Article 8

We believe that if we use the country’s God-gifted natural wealth and huge human capacity optimally and fairly, they can provide for self-reliance, economic growth, and welfare of the people;

Article 9

We believe that our dear homeland Afghanistan shall 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

We believe that Afghanistan should become a locus for cooperation and regional connectivity. It should respect the United Nations charter, the Islamic Cooperation Organization charter, Islamic human rights declaration, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and all covenants and conventions that Afghanistan has adopted. Afghanistan’s international relations should be governed by the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs of other countries, good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence and pursuit of a positive and active policy of neutrality;

Article 11

Afghanistan shall 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 believe that the rebuilding of the army, police, and national security institutions is urgently required for the integrity and stability of Afghanistan and 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

We emphasize 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 shall be considered devoid of any legal standing and their administration shall be considered lacking in legitimacy.

Chapter Three

Goals and Visions

Political System

Article 14

We believe that sovereignty shall be returned to the people through the establishment of a system and government based on the collective will as manifest through transparent and fair elections.

Article 15

A non-centralized parliamentary Islamic Republic should be consolidated, which features a parliamentary system contributing to the flourishing of strong parties, independence of the judiciary, rule of law, attainment of fundamental rights by all citizens, safeguarding human life and freedom of expression, and in which government, leaders and administrators are held to account for their actions.

The parliamentary system should be based on fair elections with safeguards to ensure that all ethnic groups residing in Afghanistan’s provinces have balanced representation, proportionate to their population. Within this system, central government, municipal authorities, provincial and district governors should be elected.

Article 16

In this system members of local (provincial, district and village) councils shall be elected through direct elections,

Article 17

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

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.

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.

Article 22

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

Article 23

The SCNR 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 SCNR stresses the need for countering extremism and terrorism in all their ideological and cultural aspects and forms, to prevent exploitation of religious teachings. The SCNR recognizes the need to prevent Afghanistan being turned into a safe haven for extremism and terrorism. The SCNR 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.

Article 24

We emphasize the need to defend 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.

Article 25

We emphasize the need to ensure 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.

Article 26

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. We call upon our true scholars to play this role to the utmost of their ability.

Article 27

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

Article 28

Recognizing the critical capabilities and capacities of youths and in addition to emphasizing the need for effective investments in them, the SCNR 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 SCNR and after the victory. The SCNR considers this as an essential step in the implementation of the spirit of this charter.

Article 29

We believe that our people’s linguistic and cultural diversity must be respected by observing the principle of justice and equality of value among ethnic groups. Furthermore, we consider it of the utmost importance that those values be reflected in national documents and symbols such as the national anthem, national flag, emblems, medals, bank notes, national days and personalities.

Article 30

We are committed 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.

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;

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 Supreme Council of National Resistance.

Article 33

Efforts to establish lasting peace and ensure political stability of the country are the top priority of the SCNR; the SCNR 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.

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 SCNR will begin practical action in response to the growing demands of supporters and followers of parties,  and personalities that are members of the SCNR 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.

Article 35

Affirming the people’s just demands and actions to secure their rights, the SCNR 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.

Article 36

In order to realize the goals and principles enshrined in this charter, policies will be developed from the SCNR 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, a group or a political personality, commensurate to their abilities, shall make serious efforts for the realization and implementation of policies and programs of the SCNR, within the framework of this charter;

Article 38

The SCNR supports freedom of the media and freedom of expression and will coordinate its media activities in view of the goals and visions enshrined in this charter.

Article 39

The SCNR 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 SCNR or joining it.

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 or are in the process of being eliminated. The SCNR 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 SCNR 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 SCNR:

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

1. Constituent Assembly

Article 42

The Constituent Assembly comprises personalities that participated in person, virtually or through their representatives in the historic meeting, on May 17, 2022, chaired by the honorable Ustad Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf and hosted by Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum.  Leaders and officials of the following parties and institutions were present in which the SCNR was formed with the approval of the overall principles of its charter and issue of a declaration: (Islamic Party of Afghanistan, Party of Jamiat-e- Islami of Afghanistan, National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, Islamic Dawah Party of Afghanistan, People’s Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, National Congress Party of Afghanistan, National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, the Great Eastern Council, the Great Kandahar Council, the Great Northern Council, the Movement of protecting the values of great Jihad and resistance of the people of Afghanistan).

Article 43

The duties of the Constituent Assembly shall end upon the formation of the Leadership Council from among the members of this Assembly. The name of the members of the Constituent Assembly will be registered in the archives of the SCNR as the founders of an historically important body.

Article 44

All the members of the Constituent Assembly shall be members of the High Council.

2. High Council

Article 45

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

Article 46

The High Council shall comprise of Leadership Council, Executive Council including Secretariat and heads of the committees, leaders of effective political parties and groups, political personalities, Islamic scholars, civil society activists, active women and youths.

Article 47

Qualifications of members of the High Council;

1. Good reputation;
2. Effective and inspiring personality;
3. Accepts the charter of the SCNR and commit to working towards the realization of its values and goals;

Article 48

The High Council shall have no less than 101 and no more than 201 members. The membership can only be increased beyond this by decision of the Leadership Council.

Article 49

Authorities of the High Council are as follows:

1. Amend and approve the charter of the SCNR;
2. Approve programs and policies proposed by the Leadership Council;
3. Take decisions about the major policies of the SCNR such as negotiations, reconciliation and armed resistance;
4. Other duties included in this charter.

Article 50

The High Council will be constituted with due regard to balance and proportion among the parties and members.

Article 51

Applications of new candidates for membership of the High 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 SCNR.

Article 52

All decisions of the High Council shall be made in a consultative manner and effort shall be made to ensure they are made unanimously. In the absence of unanimity, decisions should be made by a vote of two thirds of the members present.

Article 53

The term of office of High Council members shall be for two years.

Article 54

The routine meetings of the High Council shall be held once a month and extraordinary meetings shall be held at the request of one quarter of members or by proposal of the Leadership Council.

Article 55

The rules and procedures of the High Council in the light of this charter are laid out in a separate document.

Article 56

3. The Leadership Council

The leadership council shall be the highest decision-making authority in the SCNR after the High Council. It shall comprise leaders of effective political parties and personalities and a member to represent of independent figures.

Article 57

If the Leadership Council deems it necessary, they shall decide to increase in the number of the leadership council members.

Article 58

The Leadership Council shall elect one of its members as the head of the Leadership Council for a period of one month.

Article 59

The authorities of Leadership Council members are as follows:

1. Coordinate the affairs of the SCNR and develop and approve policies and programs of the SCNR;
2. Elect members of the High Council and determine the agenda of its meetings;
3. Develop coordination between various institutions of the SCNR;
4. Create an executive council to monitor the actions of the Secretariat and committees;
5. Appoint and dismiss the administrative board of the secretariat, administrative board of committees and boards, approve their rules of procedure, plans and programs;
6. Make decisions on urgent issues and direct the SCNR response to them;

The decisions of the Leadership Council relating to strategic policies and amendment of the charter are effective after the approval of the High Council.

Article 60

The executive board including its head and deputies shall be appointed from among the members of Leadership Council. Likewise, the head of Secretariat and committees shall be appointed from among the members of the Leadership Council or other figures whom the Leadership Council may co-opt. The head of Secretariat and the head of the Strategic Communication Committee shall participate in meetings and programs of the Leadership and Executive Councils.

Article 61

The Leadership Council can establish working groups, temporary committees or think tanks for some of its activities.

Article 62

The Leadership Council is obligated to present a report of its acts as well as its plans and proposals in every meeting of the SCNR.

Article 63

The routine meetings of the Leadership Council shall be held once a week and extraordinary meetings shall be held at the request of one quarter of members.

Article 64

The rules and procedures of the Leadership Council in the light of this charter are laid out in a separate document.

Article 65

4. The Executive Council

In order to manage and to lead the committees more effectively, the Executive Council is established at the suggestion of the Leadership Council and with the approval of the High Council.

Article 66

The Executive Council is responsible for the daily affairs of the committees and implementation of the council’s policies and is accountable to the Leadership Council.

Article 67

The Executive Council including the head, deputies and the head of Secretariat and committees shall be appointed by the Leadership Council.

Article 68

The head and deputies of the Executive Council shall be appointed by the Leadership Council for a period of six months. The management board of each committee, including a chair, deputies and a secretary, shall be nominated by the Leadership Council and subject to the approval of the High Council. Appointment is for a period of one year and their terms can be extended for another one year.

Article 69

The committees of Executive Council are as follows:

1. Strategic Communication Committee
2. Foreign Relations Committee
3. Political Committee
4. Defense and Security Affairs Committee
5. Information Committee
6. Human Rights and Civil Society Affairs Committee
7. Peace and Negotiation Committee
8. Islamic Scholars Committee
9. Women’s Affairs Committee
10. Youth Affairs Committee
11. Culture, Education and Higher Education affairs Committee

Article 70

All committees are under the control of the Executive Council and is managed by its board of directors (board of directors chief, deputy and secretary), and is accountable to the Leadership Council.

Article 71

The Executive Council suggests the number of committees and their members, as well developing a new committee or the cancellation of an existing committee, to the Leadership Council for approval.

Article 72

The Executive Council prepares list of duties of the Executive Council and committees and submits to the Leadership Council for approval.

5. Secretariat

Article 73

The Secretariat is accountable to the Leadership Council and provides the necessary facilities for the High Council, Leadership Council and Executive Council.

Article 74

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 75

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

Chapter Six

Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 76

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 77

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 78

1. The cost of activities of the SCNR shall be financed from the payments made by the Leadership Council members and contributions of its followers.
2. A statement of account of the Council’s income and expenses shall be prepared by the Secretariat and shall be approved by the Leadership Council.

Article 79

This charter which has been prepared with an introduction, six chapters and seventy nine articles has become effective upon the approval by the Leadership Council on July 29, 2022, and its amendments approved on May 23, 2024 in the meeting of High Council.

Note:

It is hereby noted that the Islamic Dawah Party of Afghanistan proposes deferring the discussion and decisions about the nature and structure of the country’s political system. Similarly, the Islamic Party does not agree with the mention of the 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.”

In addition, after the establishment of the SCNR, the Justice and Freedom Party of Afghanistan, led by Ustad Sarwar Danesh, officially became a member of the Council.