Ousted judges and prosecutors: “The taliban violently prevented us from protesting”
di Marjana Sadat , di Marjana SadatThe judges said that after the taliban takeover they were fired without any specific reason, and have not received their salaries in several months
On Wednesday, a number of former judges and prosecutors protested in front of the supreme court of Afghanistan, asking to be able to resume their jobs. They said the taliban did not even allow them to present their demands.
The judges said that after the taliban takeover they were fired without any specific reason, and have not received their salaries in several months. “Today, we gathered in front of the supreme court to protest for our rights, there were hundreds of us judges. First, we got fired without being given any reason after the taliban seized power, and secondly, we have not received our salaries in seven months. We tried several times to go to the supreme court, but the taliban did not allow us,” Qazi Nasir, one of these judges, said.
On Wednesday, a number of former judges and prosecutors protested in front of the supreme court of Afghanistan, asking to be able to resume their jobs. They said the taliban did not even allow them to present their demands.
The judges said that after the taliban takeover they were fired without any specific reason, and have not received their salaries in several months. “Today, we gathered in front of the supreme court to protest for our rights, there were hundreds of us judges. First, we got fired without being given any reason after the taliban seized power, and secondly, we have not received our salaries in seven months. We tried several times to go to the supreme court, but the taliban did not allow us,” Qazi Nasir, one of these judges, said.
Although the judges have been protesting for their rights, the taliban have repeatedly said civil servants and former government employees can go back to their jobs. Qazi Nasir said that some taliban fighters are former prisoners, so that now prosecutors and judges feel they are under threat.
“They did not listen to us, the supreme court spokesperson came accompanied by taliban fighters who violently dispersed the protest, and even attacked a few judges,” he said. But the supreme court spokesperson, Mashal Afghan, said that 70% of the courts' staff have returned to their job, and that there is no problem. However, 30% of judges have been accused of being involved in corruption, and are currently under investigation.
Afghan went on to say that the prosecutors will receive their salaries, they are presently working on it. He specified Wednesday’s protest was illegal. The judges rejected these claims. Khalid Muqadam, one of the judges, said they were fired collectively, and other people were nominated in their place. “It is not fair. If former judges are corrupt, as they claim, they should form a commission to try them. We do not support corruption either,” he said. Mr. Muqadam added that the taliban dispersed them before they could present their demands, and two prosecutors were beaten. This is not the first time the taliban violently suppress peaceful protests, women protesters have encountered the same reaction.