By Brian Bohl
A government official in Afghanistan has recently offered broad amnesty to all insurgents currently fighting American and Afghan forces. Sebaghatullah Mojadeddi, head of Afghanistan’s peace and reconciliation commission, has not proposed this plan as a reward for terrorists. He instead has attempted to devise a plan that would give rebels an incentive to discontinue their war against democracy. While Mojadeddi’s desire to see an end to violence is commendable, his proposal would pardon some of the world’s most notorious terrorists from any type of retribution.
Military officials from the United States have stated they are supportive of the plan so long as provisions are included that would exclude anyone found guilty of terrorism or other “serious crimes.” It is obvious the purpose of the amnesty offer is to deter the foot soldiers of terrorism outposts. A deal that would pardon all lower level insurgents in exchange for peace is the best deal the United States could hope for in a situation like Afghanistan, but for Mojadeddi to extend clemency to everyone without the consent of the American military is wrong.
People like Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar and warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar have devoted the last three years of their life to fighting American forces in Afghanistan. For the peace and reconciliation commission to pardon men like Omar without any type of punishment is an insult to the United States, a nation that has lost many soldiers to ensure Afghanistan can have a free and democratic government. Additionally, pardoning terrorists would set a dangerous precedent. Once a government appeases extremists, they forfeit all leverage in future negotiations, as the rebels know they could always get what they want if they hold out.
Current and potential terrorists would see this agreement as a sign of victory. All Mojadeddi’s plan would do is give incentive to insurgents to continue fighting, knowing that eventually they will be exonerated for the mere promise of a cease fire. “This peace that we want is for all, there is no exception,” Mojadeddi said to the New York Times this week. “Those who are armed, they should lay down their weapons when they come, accept the Constitution, and obey the government. We will accept them with an open heart.” The intent is understandable, but how could Mojadeddi or anyone else be able to ascertain if the insurgents’ renouncement of violence is legitimate? It is impossible to assess the validity of people who use violence to get their way. Men that have no qualms about killing innocent civilians cannot be trusted at their word.
The purpose of the peace and reconciliation commission is clear, but before it issues a doctrine that has such wide-ranging powers, it should consult with U.S. military officials. After all the American government has done to bring democracy to Afghanistan, it is the least they can do.