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Warren Harrity standing in front of a UN map of Afghanistan, 2003; links to larger photo.Landmark Constitution Points Afghanistan Toward a New Stability

Posted: February 23, 2004 Click to Visit Global News.

Warren Harrity (right) is the United Methodist Committee on Relief's head of mission in Afghanistan. Credit: UMCOR Afghanistan 2003. Click on photo for larger version.

NEW YORK--When loya jirga--the Afghan grand assembly of constitutional delegates--approved the new Afghanistan constitution earlier this year, they called into being a new Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. They also overcame weeks of distrust and division, binding together the nation's mosaic of ethnic groups.

It's a historic achievement, a United Nations official told CNN, that "represents the determination of the Afghan people to see their country transition to a stable and democratic state."

United Methodist Committee on Relief head of mission in Kabul, Warren Harrity, concurred. Responding by email, he wrote, "This was a great achievement. While the constitution may not please all parties, the great benefit of the process to the Afghan people is its completion in a transparent manner."

Afghanis now have the opportunity to choose their own public officials through elections--a landmark event for them because, Mr. Harrity stressed, "Afghanis have never had elections throughout the course of their history."

The UMCOR mission head pointed out that self-governance is an important foundation for the new constitution. "The Afghani people have been a society of the 'ruled,'" he wrote, "whether through monarchies or outsiders who have tried to conquer Afghanistan." A town-hall-like structure at the local level fits into the democratic process. Community leaders serving locally will now be officials selected by and accountable to the populace.

The constitution replaces rule by force with rule of law, Mr. Harrity pointed out. Over the past 24 years rule by force has disrupted the lives of Afghanis who yearned for peace. A modern police force and court system will provide additional protections that most Afghanis have not experienced in their lifetimes.

"People I have spoken to in Kabul are pleased by the new constitution and pleased with President (Hamid) Karzai," Mr. Harrity wrote. "Their greatest hope, and concern, is that with a constitutionin place and a legitimate government, Afghanistan will be viewed as a nation among nations, and that they will have the support of friendly nations as they struggle through the reconstruction process."

How will the new democracy, based in Sharia, or Islamic law, change the way faith-based organizations like UMCOR do their work? "To the extent that Afghani leaders, both religious and political, warmly welcome and accept the beliefs of other nations and peoples, then the Sharia should have a positive effect on the way faith-based organizations do their work," Mr. Harrity said. Religion played a part in the achievement of consensus, he noted, just as it has in other democracies such as the US.

UMCOR projects in Afghanistan focus on high-impact, transitional activities, such as temporary and permanent housing, school rehabilitation, agricultural programs, well reconstruction and micro-credit-- small loans to underwrite business start-ups. Beneficiaries are among the most vulnerable residents, such as widows and war-disabled.

Finding a productive place in society for former soldiers is also an initiative--one that, according to Mr. Harrity, "is among the most important components for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan." The program emphasizes training programs and income-producing opportunities. "We seek to assist the Afghan government in this effort," he stated.

Mr. Harrity has headed the Kabul office since August 2003 and expects to open several new offices in Afghanistan as UMCOR expands its levels of assistance there.

Those who want to help in a meaningful way can contribute to UMCOR Advance #982353, Global Peacebuilding and Reconciliation. Please designate "Afghanistan" in the memo line of your check, written to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Give through a local United Methodist church or mail contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation.

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