Ambassador Hans G. Klemm met with Minister Habibulah Ghalib, on Wednesday 14 July 2010 at MOJ. Mr. Ghalib welcomed him and expressed his appreciation of the US government support and assistance to MOJ in justice and judicial sectors.
After that, Mr. Klemm expressed his praises on good management and performances of Mr. Ghalib, Justice Minister. “We support your country in various areas such as; detention centers and prisons, drafting laws and implementation of policies via supporting the projects that mostly funded by US Department of State” said Ambassador Klemm.
Then Mr. Ghalib explained some issues about drafting laws, he said “we think while drafting new laws the Afghan original laws should be the source and we shall fill the current legal gaps by amendment to some articles of our current laws and make new laws. We should not copy foreign laws and apply them to our people because it reduces the value and rule of law among the public. Since Afghan laws have been drafted in accordance with circumstances and culture of Afghanistan its application and implementation shall not create any problem”.
In the meantime, Mr. Ghalib thanked and appreciated JSSP’s support and assistance in different areas like: Human rights Unit; laws (Organization and Jurisdiction of AGO, Special Courts, Traditional Dispute Resolution, Criminal Procedural Code); legal awareness; legal aids. He also appreciated CSSP’s support and assistance to MOJ regarding prisons and he said “we would appreciate more support and assistance of CSSP in areas of regulating and organizing internal affairs of prisons, construction of prisons; drafting bills, regulations; creating occupations and establishing medical centers for prisoners”.
Then Mr. Klemm explained the supports provided and works done by CSSP and JSSP and added that such supports and assistance would expand in the future.
Finally, they discussed about the rumors spread in Presidential Security Council that maybe the authority or responsibility of controlling and monitoring of prisons transfer from MOJ to MOI. Mr. Ghalib said “first this issue was stated by ex-Interior Minister, Mr. Atmar, in National Security Council and the reason as he stated to solve the security related problems in prisons but we are against such plan because prisons need for professional people who have legal knowledge to manage its affairs and to ensure the constitutional rights of prisoners. It would only be possible when the prisons are under the jurisdiction and organizational structure of MOJ. If there are some shortages or problems they are due to lack of enough facilities and resources; therefore, we hope more supports and assistance of US and International Community, so that we may overcome all these challenges and problems”.
