Ottawa – The Government of Afghanistan, cognizant of its obligations under international law and Afghan law, is taking allegations of detainee abuse and mistreatment at the hands of Afghan law enforcement agencies - in this case the National Directorate of Security - seriously and has started to investigate claims that have appeared in the Canadian media this week in regards to detainee mistreatment in Kandahar Province.

Any legal evidence and investigative data that is obtained can and will be shared with authorized states involved in security and stabilization operations, including Canadian civil-military officials.

The Government has and will continue to provide access to stakeholders that need to monitor detention centers and individual suspects arrested on alleged charges of aiding or abetting terrorists, involvement with drug mafias or illegal armed groups that threaten the lives of Afghan civilians, and international security assistance and NATO forces.

A bilateral arrangement to facilitate access for Canadian civil-military officials to detention centers in Kandahar is in formalization stages.

According to provincial and National Directorate of Security officials, access to facilities and detainees has not been revoked nor suspended in Kandahar for any authorized monitoring group, including the AIHRC and the ICRC.

According to the same officials, while the investigation is ongoing, there is no evidence thus far of any abuse or mistreatment that may have taken place, as alleged by some former detainees. The case of individuals named in the media reports will be investigated thoroughly to establish validity of claim. In case anyone is found guilty of violations of laws to which we are a party, the person(s) shall be brought to justice.

NDS officials also confirm that their employee rosters for Kandahar do not show any person named Sadullah Khan as having been employed by the agency in the past year. They also clarify that the person in-charge of NDS in the province is a person by a different name.

It is a fact to all in Afghanistan that the country is in transition from a devastated failed state to a country where all institutions and capacities have to be rebuilt to ensure that security, stability, economic opportunities and democratic rights can be provided and safeguarded for all its citizens.

This transition, which includes rebuilding institutions and professional capacities, will face numerous challenges until it reaches a stage of maturity, and it will take time and the steadfast, unwavering support of the international community and friendly countries like Canada to prevent a return to Taliban-style governance and a terror-sponsoring state.

In this regard, the people of Afghanistan are grateful for the continued support that Canada and Canadians provide in all areas.

Embassy of Afghanistan

April 26, 2007