JezK

Edit File: 1659781209.M111471P153269.mocha3025.mochahost.com,S=16953,W=17274:2,S

Envelope-to: gulzai@jack.ngo
Delivery-date: Sat, 06 Aug 2022 06:20:09 -0400
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Date: Sat, 06 Aug 2022 10:19:25 +0000 (UTC)
From: INSO_AFG_NORTHEAST_SA <sa.northeast@afg.ngosafety.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Message-ID: <nfhcN7P7QtG-lmOmhjaYFA@geopod-ismtpd-6-0>
Subject: INSO REPORT =?UTF-8?B?4oCTIEFGRyDigJM=?= TAKHAR AND BADAKHSHAN:
 Representatives of the Ministry of Preventing Vice and Promoting Virtue
 Communicate Stricter Regulations
To: Naseer Ahmad Gulzai <gulzai@jack.ngo>

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN' 'http://www.w3.org=
/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd'><html><body><head><meta name=3D'viewport'=
 content=3D'initial-scale=3D1.0'><title>Alert Update</title></head><body><c=
enter><table width=3D"580" style=3D" width: 580px;  border:1px solid #C1C2C=
4; margin: 0 auto; background: #fff; text-align: center; border-collapse: c=
ollapse;" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
=09
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"width: 100%; height: 27px; background-color: #5376b6; font-=
size: 7.5pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; color: white; vertical-align=
: middle; text-align: center;">
				This report is for the exclusive use of INSO partners and must not be s=
hared outside your organisation			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"text-align: left;">
				<table style=3D"width: 100%;" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
				=09
						<tr>
							<td style=3D"width: 38%;">
								<img src=3D"https://partners.ngosafety.org/assets/img/report.png"/>
							</td>
							<td style=3D"width: 62%">
								<div>
									<div><span style=3D"font-size:24.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0=
; padding: 0; font-family:'Arial', sans-serif; color:#5376b6">&nbsp;&nbsp;R=
EPORT</span></div>
									<div><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0=
; padding: 0; font-family:'Arial', sans-serif; color:#182748">&nbsp;&nbsp;&=
nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ATTENTION RECOMMENDED</span></div>
								</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
				=09
				</table>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"text-align: justify;">
				<table style=3D"width: 100%; border-top: 1px solid #C1C2C4;" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0">
				=09
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">LOCATION=
</div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								Afghanistan, Badakhshan and Takhar Provinces								</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">INCIDENT=
 TYPE</div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								Public Announcement Regarding the IEA-promoted Behavioural Rules 		=
						</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">DATE & T=
IME</div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								02/08/2022 10:00								</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">INFORMAT=
ION</div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								<p style=3D"text-align: justify;">On 02 August, Mohammad Khaled Han=
afi, the Acting Minister of Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue (PVP=
V), went to Takhar and Badakhshan provinces. During the meetings, the minis=
ter gave speeches in front of local religious leaders, members of the provi=
ncial authorities, and residents regarding the implementation of several di=
rectives promoted by the new administration. These would include the obliga=
tion for women to wear hijab, covering their faces; the interdiction for me=
mbers of the security forces to cut their hair and beards, except for compl=
etely shaving their heads;&nbsp; the implementation of &lsquo;divine rules&=
rsquo;, which in the past referred to physical punishments such as cutting =
off limbs for theft, and publicly whipping civilians for &lsquo;immoral rel=
ationships&rsquo;; the eradication of alcohol and drugs consumption; the re=
moval of fighters under 18 years old from within the IEA forces; and finall=
y the preservation of Islamic values and prevention of &lsquo;excessive wed=
ding expenses&rsquo;.</p>								</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">ANALYSIS=
</div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								<div style=3D"text-align: justify;">The public announcement of IEA-=
promoted vice and virtue rules in Takhar and Badakhshan provinces is highly=
 likely to encourage the security forces to continue the strict enforcement=
 of these regulations. Reportedly, Takhar remains the province with the str=
ictest implementation of the new regulations regarding social life, recordi=
ng at least 30 incidents as a result since 15 August 2021. During such inci=
dents, the IEA security forces insulted, threatened, beat, or even shot civ=
ilians accused of violations such as smoking, listening to music, trimming =
their facial hair, failure to attend prayers, playing games, not covering t=
heir faces or the lack of mahram during movements for female residents. Whi=
le rank-and-file IEA members already imposed some of the restrictions and f=
logged civilians for &lsquo;immoral behaviour&rsquo;, more severe physical =
punishments such as amputation of limbs were not among them. Such an announ=
cement, even without immediate penalty, is likely to discourage individual =
criminals in the short term and potentially slightly reduce the risk posed =
by criminal activity to NGOs. However, if faced with such severe punishment=
, it is probable that criminal elements will resist arrests, potentially vi=
olently, and might even engage in firefights with the security forces, whic=
h is likely to increase the risk of collateral to civilians and NGO staff a=
like.<br /><br /></div>
<div style=3D"text-align: justify;">NGO staff members are likely to face an=
 increased risk of physical harm in case they are not compliant with the ne=
w PVPV regulations. As of the time of writing, NGOs operating in the Northe=
astern Region faced challenges mainly regarding the freedom of movement of =
female staff members, without any of these incidents escalating to violence=
. However, INSO logged one incident during which a staff member was arreste=
d for alleged alcohol possession and consumption, which resulted in the arr=
est of the NGO employee, and while under investigation, was beaten ( see AF=
GHANISTAN/NORTHEAST/R/19062022/#001). Some rank-and-file IEA members contin=
ue to have limited understanding of the NGOs&rsquo; principles and mandates=
. As such, they perceive NGOs as the influence of western governments in Af=
ghan society and under the new auspices are likely to scrutinize NGO staff&=
rsquo;s behaviour. This could lead to additional challenges for humanitaria=
n actors, primarily within Takhar and Badakhshan provinces, where IEA force=
s were already implementing a stricter set of rules. Remaining aware of IEA=
&rsquo;s official announcements, disseminating the information to senior ma=
nagement teams, and putting in place mitigation measures, remain essential =
steps for NGOs to avoid potential misunderstandings during encounters with =
the IEA authorities.<br /><br /></div>
<div style=3D"text-align: justify;">If enforced, the removal of underaged f=
ighters among the ranks of the IEA security forces could lead to a decrease=
d presence, especially in areas where recruitment proved challenging. This =
might impact the capacity of the security apparatus to control the main rou=
tes throughout the provinces and potentially allow OAG members to be more m=
obile, increasing their reach outside the operational area. However, ensuri=
ng a more mature and, in some cases, better-trained security force could ha=
ve the benefit of reducing the number of security incidents at checkpoints.=
 Local reports suggest that prevalently younger IEA members of the security=
 forces interpret any failure of the travellers to comply with their demand=
s as a gesture of defiance, and insult or harass civilians and NGO staff me=
mbers alike (see AFGHANISTAN/NORTHEAST/R/10072022/#001). Given IEA&rsquo;s =
level of decentralisation, a proactive engagement with power actors in the =
area of operations does not guarantee that NGOs will not encounter challeng=
es during operations; however, it is likely to ensure a timely de-escalatio=
n during encounters with less compliant rank-and-file IEA members.</div>			=
					</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">ADVICE</=
div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								<div style=3D"text-align: justify;">NGO staff members are advised t=
o remain informed regarding the latest announcement or practices regarding =
IEA-enforced social rules and inform their respective security focal point =
for further dissemination.<br /><br /></div>
<div style=3D"text-align: justify;">NGOs are advised to maintain communicat=
ions with the authorities meant to enforce such behavioural regulations, to=
 enable immediate troubleshooting in case of need.<br /><br /></div>
<div style=3D"text-align: justify;">While NGOs should refrain from restrict=
ing the behaviour of their staff members, safety managers are advised to in=
form NGO employees regarding the implications of violating the IEA-promoted=
 social conduct, and how the authorities&rsquo; response might impact the o=
rganisation&rsquo;s operations and staff.&nbsp;</div>								</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">ISSUED B=
Y</div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								<div style=3D"text-align: justify;">SA Northeast, Eliade Al-Hamdoun=
i<br /><br /></div>
<div style=3D"text-align: justify;"><a href=3D"mailto:sa.northeast@afg.ngos=
afety.org">sa.northeast@afg.ngosafety.org</a></div>								</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
												<tr>
							<td width=3D"23%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"font-weight: bold; width:2=
3.52%; border:none; font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; co=
lor:#15274B;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 12.5px 0 0;">INSO SER=
IAL #</div>
							</td>
							<td width=3D"63%" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:63.58%; font-size: 1=
2.0pt; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; line-height:115%;  ">
								<div style=3D"margin: 12.5px 25px; padding: 0 0 12.5px 0; border-bo=
ttom:1px solid #C1C2C4;">
								AFGHANISTAN/NORTHEAST/R/06082022/#001								</div>
							</td>
						</tr>
										=09
				</table>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style=3D"width: 100%; border:1px solid #C1C2C4; background-color:#53=
76b6; padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; height:63px; font-size:7.5pt; font-family:'A=
rial', sans-serif; color:white; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;=
">
				INSO exists to provide dedicated security services to the NGO community=
. As a free service, INSO and its donors or partners, accept no liability w=
hatsoever for claims as may result from the provision or utilisation of the=
se free services. Whilst every effort is made to the verify data, INSO cann=
ot guarantee the accuracy of information provided. Reproduction of INSO inf=
ormation is prohibited.									<br>
<!-=
-</a>-->
							</td>
		</tr>
=09
</table></center><img src=3D"http://url2410.afg.ngosafety.org/wf/open?upn=
=3DdCfR1t3eohnNXEZqpKpvTVt5TvqwGWkRI04J-2FNM-2FN1ERRNJ-2FFI6xZ-2FVGZ3mNnxEn=
czMlPOBdiLLvHnei2MmYDNlHg34rnkw4UYPquC5h2GCuPPqW-2BEZv51lAFMJ3UWcmdErsvc1PO=
S4E7vZqstxDW67JSXkGs3KwMTZQ9ZyIEuFYrrYcu5i6lNDLqhxcQutcOq4nnPiipfB5ZjurasLa=
vnHHic2t6g2jsLbdiTnz3ms-3D" alt=3D"" width=3D"1" height=3D"1" border=3D"0" =
style=3D"height:1px !important;width:1px !important;border-width:0 !importa=
nt;margin-top:0 !important;margin-bottom:0 !important;margin-right:0 !impor=
tant;margin-left:0 !important;padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !im=
portant;padding-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;"/></body></ht=
ml>