By U.S. Army Maj. Shane T. Sandretto and Capt. Scott F. Goldman
2/10 Security Forces Assistance Brigade Public Affairs Officer
2/10 Security Forces Assistance Brigade Rule of Law Attorney
SHARAN, Afghanistan (April 9, 2013) -- The National Directorate of Security for Paktika held a legal seminar on evidence based operations, rule of law and the proper treatment of detainees, at its headquarters in the Provincial Capital Complex in Sharan, April 2-3.
Hosted by Afghan Brig. Gen. Mohammad Jassim Anwari, director of the NDS in Paktika, and attended by primary and appellate court judges, NDS and Afghan Uniformed Police investigators and prosecutors, corrections officers, local elders, and liaison officers to the Afghan National Security Forces. The seminar spanned two days and followed systematically how a case develops. Approximately 60 people attended the event over the course of the two days.
Chief Justice Mohammad Hakim Kunari began the two-day event by invoking the noble purpose of developing an effective justice system that respects human rights, "The principles of Islam are the same as the principles of justice."
The first day of the seminar covered intelligence gathering and the investigation of a case. Speakers throughout the day emphasized the importance of meeting timelines for investigation and prosecution, sharing intelligence, and preventing the abuse of detainees.
The second day of the seminar began with prosecutors sharing the appropriate form of case development from evidence collection to proper documentation, highlighting that following these standards are the best way to gain convictions.
Judges for both the primary and appellate courts requested more complete case files and emphasized that mistreatment of detainees is against the law.
Paktika Prison director, Col. Noor Rahman, described for the group the protocols in the prison designed to prevent abuse. He also explained the job-related training programs at the prison to help the convicted improve themselves upon release and hopefully prevent recidivism.
Jassim summarized the significance of the event in remarks that closed the first day of discussion by noting the greatness of even taking such an introspective look at the legal process in a country that's experienced more than 30 years of war.
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