Talks between Afghanistan, Pakistan and United States to be held in Brussels; Karzai visits Brussels for talks; Human Rights Watch: Afghanistan’s policewomen abused at work
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    • (APRIL 22-28)

    According to reports, US Secretary of State John Kerry will host talks between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and senior Pakistan officials in Brussels on April 23, aimed at calming tension over border disputes and a flagging peace process. The meeting is part of a series of on-off discussions between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the behest of the United States. Kerry said the meeting would discuss the handover of security responsibility to Afghan forces this year, a move intended to allow for the end of Nato-led combat operations. “This is the year of transition. This is the critical year in Afghanistan,” he told US diplomats in Brussels. 1 Meanwhile, Afghan President Hamid Karzai on left for talks in Brussels April 23, with top US and Pakistani officials aimed at reviving faltering efforts to bring peace to his country. 2

    In other developments, according to reports, Afghanistan’s policewomen suffer sexual assault by male colleagues, often inside police stations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on April 25, calling for women-only toilets and changing facilities to curb such abuse. “Harassment and abuse is an everyday experience for many Afghan women,” said HRW Asia director Brad Adams. In a statement the group cited “numerous” media reports of the rape of female officers by male colleagues, and said the lack of separate secure toilets or places to change clothes makes them particularly vulnerable. 3

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