The Film fra Sør Foundation and the Norwegian branch of the United Nations work together on the ‘Film fra Sør Norge Rundt’ project, a film touring programme bringing important films to schools and high schools all over the country. In this regard, the UN’s Stian Bragtvedt conducted an interview with renowned Afghan activist Malalai Joya.
‘Film fra Sør Norge Rundt’ 2011 tours the country with the documentary films Armadillo and
Afghan Star, which are both set in Afghanistan.
Malalai Joya is an Afghan activist, author and former member of Parliament in Afghanistan. She was thrown out of the parliament in 2007 when she accused other members of being warlords and corrupt. 33 year-old Joya comes from the Farah province of Afghanistan and criticises the Karzai regime and the foreign troops in the country. She has received numerous death threats and has to live under the protection of bodyguards.
– How is the situation in Afghanistan today, ten years after the 2001 invasion?
– The US and NATO invaded Afghanistan with slogans about «freedom», «democracy» and «women’s rights». They then put in place one of the world’s most corrupt regime, composed of several war and drug lords who are against freedom, democracy and women’s rights altogether.
The situation in Afghanistan today is a catastrophe. People live in complete injustice, insecurity, repression, malnutrition and several other problems. More than 80% of the population live under the poverty line and unemployment is high. Afghanistan is the second most corrupt country in the world and stands at the bottom of the Human Development Index (HDI). Afghans are beginning to rebel against this misery.
– What is the problem with the current regime in Afghanistan?
– The problem is that the current regime is almost entirely corrupt and primarily consists of Islamic fundamentalists and warlords. People such as Rasul Sayyaf, Qasim Fahim, Karim Khalili, Rashid Dostum and Atta Mohammed have blood on their hands. Billions of dollars have gone to Afghanistan in the last ten years, yet the majority went straight in the pockets of those criminals. Barely a fraction of this fortune has been used to improve the situation for ordinary Afghans. In Afghanistan today, the rich are becoming richer while the poor are becoming poorer.
– How is the women’s situation in Afghanistan?
– It is a catastrophe. Conditions for women are the same as under the Taliban, even worse in some places. Women and girls are subjected to rape, kidnapping, killings and acid attacks. Many are so damaged that they commit suicide, the most common way being to set themselves on fire.
For women living in the cities the situation is slightly better, but nowhere near as good as it was in the 70s and 80s. There are 68 women in Parliament today, but these are all handpicked by warlords and they do not speak out about women.
– What made you speak out against the warlords in the Afghan Parliament?
– The warlords sitting in Parliament do not represent the Afghan people. They have been selected by using bribes, weapons and threats. This made me angry, but it also triggered a desire to do something for my people. I decided that the least I could do was to be a voice for the voiceless and oppressed Afghans. Therefore, I used every chance I got to speak in Parliament and condemn the warlords and their crimes. What I have said is nothing new for ordinary Afghans. Most of them hate the warlords and talk about it amongst themselves in the street and in their daily lives. I simply brought these views to the Parliament.
– What can Norwegian people do to support the people of Afghanistan?
– They can push their government to stop supporting American foreign policy through NATO. The government they support in Afghanistan is corrupt and does not represent the people. The Norwegian NATO troops in Afghanistan only make matters worse. Norwegians can support Afghan organisations working for peace, democracy and justice under very difficult circumstances. Support for educational projects in Afghanistan is the most important. Only education can save people from ignorance and build their political awareness.
– Will the country turn to civil war when NATO and the US pull out of Afghanistan?
– The people of Afghanistan have three enemies: the warlords in Parliament, the Taliban, and the NATO/US coalition. If the latter leaves Afghanistan, two internal enemies remain. These will be weakened if foreign troops withdraw. Many say that there will be civil war, but the situation is already hopeless and cannot get much worse. When the US and NATO invaded Afghanistan in 2001, Afghans believed the promises they received from foreign troops. After ten years of conflict during which tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, people have lost faith in the foreign presence. More and more people are demonstrating against the Karzai regime and air attacks happening over the heads of ordinary Afghans. The US and NATO neither can nor will bring freedom and democracy to Afghanistan. They are still in contact with suspect groups that they use in order to develop their own agenda in Asia. No nation can free up another. It is the Afghan people's own responsibility to liberate Afghanistan from terrorism and fundamentalism.
The ‘Film fra Sør Norge Rundt’ project is a collaboration between Arthaus, Roast Beef Productions, the United Nations, local venues and the Film fra Sør Foundation. The project receives support from Fritt Ord and UD Refleks.
Read more on ‘Film fra Sør Norge Rundt’ here.
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