Afghan Lawmakers on Sunday condemned President Karzai's lack of support for the publication of a major human rights report, with one senator calling it "treason."
The 800-page report is the most extensive documentation of human rights violations in Afghanistan, covering the period from before the 1978 Soviet invasion until the ouster of the Taliban in late 2001. The report implicates most key Afghan power-brokers in the current government as well as insurgent leaders fighting the government for serious human rights abuses.
The report was due to come out on 10 Dec. 2011, but Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC)officials say Karzai's opposition kept it from publication.
Sima Samar, head of AIHRC, sparked parliamentary condemnation of the president when she said Saturday that Karzai's opposition was "the only reason" why the report had not been published.
"Not supporting the human rights report by the government is treason," Senator Hedayatullah Rehahi said. Senator Rehahi has been a frequent, vocal critic of the president, voicing sharp public disagreements on subjects like the High Peace Council's effectiveness and electoral reforms.
"I believe that those committed crimes against humanity should be identified and legally prosecuted," said Mohammad Alam Ezedyar, first vice chair of the Senate.
Other lawmakers had kinder though critical remarks for the president.
"As you can see, most of those who committed crimes against humanity are now inside the government holding high positions. How can they enforce human rights in the country?" Farah MP Samiullah Samim said.
But some MPs said President Karzai is worried the report could disturb the fragile peace in the country.
"As the people know, those who have violated human rights are capable of doing anything. That's why the president is worried and stands for the greater good," Paktika MP Sayed Ishaq Gilani said.
Afghan experts and human rights activists have previously accused the government for their lack of political commitment towards ensuring stability of human rights conditions in the country.