While the upcoming parliamentary elections may appear to be the start of a new chapter in Afghanistan's troubled history, the general public sees the same old problems lurking on the horizon, writes Chris Sands from Kabul Tattered posters of candidates competing in the 18 September polls still line the streets of Kabul. Some display aspiring young female politicians, their faces freed from the confines of the burqaa and full of resolve. Others show the more familiar and stern glares of warlords and Islamic fundamentalists. "The parliament will belong to those who are in possession of economic power -- or weapons -- not the poor," remarked shopkeeper Haj Abdul-Hakim recently. "Under the Taliban there was a lot of problems. People were not allowed to move from city to city. The Taliban would raid houses, kill people, and steal money. And if they manage to mix themselves in with the parliament, amongst communists and mujahideen, there will be major problems." Nearly four years have passed since the Taliban regime was overthrown by the United States-led coalition. While some progress has been made since, a significant number of Afghans believe the country's future as a free and democratic state is still far from secure. After Hamid Karzai was elected as president in 2004 he made sure his new government would contain its fair share of controversial figures. Members of the administration include General Abdul- Rashid Dostum, who advises Karzai on military affairs, and Ismail Khan, the minister of energy and water. International human rights groups have accused both men of having blood on their hands. According to concerned voters, a similar pattern could emerge after the 18 September elections for the Lower House of the National Assembly and nationwide Provincial Councils. Ahmed Zia Langari, a commissioner for the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, believes warlords will try to gain more power at the polling booths, whether through fair means or foul. "Many of them have nominated themselves as candidates for parliament, and there is a number of people campaigning for them. Such warlords still have an intimidating hold over civilians," he pointed out. Afghans over the age of 18 and holding a voter registration card were able to take part in the elections. They had thousands of candidates to choose from, all of whom were meant to run as individuals, rather than represent a particular political party. In theory, members of unofficial armed groups were banned from competing. Langari told Al-Ahram Weekly the polls constitute another important step towards establishing democracy, but only if the new parliament uses its power wisely. "Thirty years ago, an unarmed policeman would be able to go to a mountainous area and question people. Now a whole convoy of policeman would be unable to do that," Langari reflected. Mohamed Hashim Mayar, from Wardak province, is heavily involved in the reconstruction work taking place in Afghanistan. "The warlords are worse than the Taliban or Al-Qaeda. They have wrapped themselves around Karzai and I fear they might just come into power. In principal, I would support a parliamentary government, but not now. I am for federalism, but not now. When? God knows," he lamented. While still optimistic, Mayar insists that in order for any real change to take place, it is necessary for a new generation -- free from the influence of the warlords -- to take charge. The Taliban government became notorious for the way it repressed Afghanistan's female population. Women were banned from playing sports, working and studying. They were also made to cover their faces and forbidden from leaving their homes by the fundamentalist regime. While many teenage girls are now able to go to school, wear and make-up openly, they are still not equal or free. Afifa Azim, director of Afghan Women's Network, told the Weekly, "according to Islam, women have a lot of rights -- but practically we have no rights. There is violence against women, violence against children, and trafficking of women. These are all issues which could be stopped by parliament. But if the fundamentalists get into parliament, even the basic needs of women will not be addressed." During the last three years hundreds of wives and daughters have set themselves on fire in the western province of Herat. Community sources claim they are doing this in protest against domestic abuse and forced marriages. "Most of the cases are not reported to the hospital. They are dying in the districts without anyone finding out," said Hulan Khatibi, executive director of the Women Activities and Social Services Association. "This is totally a new trend. It started appearing at the end of 2002 and from then until now it has not stopped. In 2003 it was high, in 2004 it was low and now in 2005 it is high again," she explained. Despite these setbacks, Khatibi believes the elections have given Afghans ample reason to be optimistic. "I understand that 25 years ago we were more progressive. But we must realise that a very hard time came in between which set back everything," she said. "We have to take things slowly in order to avoid raising peoples' sensitivities. Otherwise they will stand in our way and create problems."
