National Liberation Front Opposes Peace Deal with Hekmatyar

Afghanistan National Liberation Front party announced its opposition with the signing of peace agreement with Hezb-e Islami-led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

This party emphasizes that the peace deal with Hekmatyar is contrary to constitution and also contrary to Islamic norms.

“We cannot ignore and escape from people’s rights. Giving impunity to Hekmatyar is contrary to the constitution and Islamic norms,” said Zabiullah Mujadadi, general secretary of National Liberation Party.

After months of delays, Afghan government negotiators signed a peace deal on Thursday, September 22,  with an insurgent faction led by one of the country’s most notorious warlords.

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar signed the agreement via a video link into Kabul’s presidential palace. The ceremony was broadcast live on television.

Previously, Human Right Watch, the New York-based watchdog, branded Hekmatyar “one of Afghanistan’s most notorious war crimes suspects” and said his return would “compound a culture of impunity” that has denied justice to the many Afghan victims of violence from warlords.

The 25-point peace agreement gives Hekmatyar and his followers immunity for past actions, and grants them full political rights.

In a speech greeted with chants of “Long Live Hekmatyar” from his supporters, who had gathered in the presidential palace, he called on the Afghan government to start peace talks with the Taliban.

Hekmatyar has been prominent in Afghanistan for more than 30 years. Before the accusations of war crimes and he went into hiding, the U.S. sent him $600 million as it supported Afghan mujaheddin who were Anti-Soviet commanders against occupation.