Kunar PRT visits Nurgol District, celebrates rule of law

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

11.22.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – What began as a routine key leader engagement and road project quality check in the Nurgol District, Nov. 22, quickly took on more significance as Afghan and American leaders paused to acknowledge a pioneering achievement in rule of law.

Midway through a meeting with Rahmatullah Himat, Norgol District subgovernor, the assembled leadership from Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team, including civilian representatives from the U.S. Department of State, joined in a ceremony honoring the Afghan judicial officials who participated in Afghanistan’s first district-level public trial.

The trial, held Nov. 8, was presided over by Nurgol Chief Judge Fazal Rabi and resulted in the defendant, Abdul Wadood, being sentenced to six months confinement for vehicular manslaughter.

Speaking to the elders and government officials gathered in the Nurgol District Courthouse, Asadabad Primary Court Chief Judge Mohibullah, who travelled to Nurgol for the ceremony, praised the efforts of the district judicial officials and lauded the people for their support of the process.

“We must continue to work together,” Mohibullah said. “A stick by itself can be easily broken, but a bundle of sticks will remain strong.”

Mohibullah went on to extol the virtues of the public judiciary system, rebuffing arguments that it was at odds with traditional tribal and Islamic law.

“Islam and [rule of law] are intertwined,” he said. “Without [rule of law], Islam will be weakened.”

Abraham Sutherland, DoS rule of law adviser for Kunar province from Santa Barbara, Calif., was on hand for the ceremony and congratulated those in attendance during his address on their ground-breaking achievement.

“The Supreme Court in Kabul knows that Norgul was the first district to have a public trial,” Sutherland said. To the elders he added, “Your continued participation is important. A public trial lets you make sure your government is working properly.”

Following the ceremony, PRT engineers conducted quality assurance checks of the Mazar Valley Road. In furthering the effort of Afghan-American partnership, security for the operation was provided jointly by PRT security force soldiers and Afghan National Police officers. The QAQC was conducted without incident.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2010
• Date Posted: 11.28.2010 17:44
• Story ID: 60986
• Location: KUNAR PROVINCE, AF