Civil Society in Afghanistan played a vital part in creating free and open space for exercising fundamental rights to association, participation, communication, and free expression of views. CSOs and NGOs provided platform for a free dialogue between diverse actors, private and state as well as public ones. Considering CSOs as a crucial site for the development and pursuit of basic human and civil rights such as individual freedom, social pluralism, and democratic citizenship, the development of the last two decades in Afghanistan is undoubtedly a part of the contribution the Afghan Civil Society carried. Despite the protracted war in the country CSOs have been striving in providing and creating pluralistic society and free and open space for exercising fundamental rights. While CSOs become indisputable part of political, cultural and economic life of the war-torn country. The United States agreement with the Taliban on the withdrawal of troops will ensue difficulties in establishing a peace process, hence making the future of Afghanistan’s civil society and the values that they represent under the risk of uncertain. It has become highly dangerous for any individual or CSO to publicly operate, when according to CIVICUS monitor 2017 the freedom of expression in the country is particularly endangered. It goes on to report that 2016 was the most dangerous year so far for journalists and media professionals in Afghanistan, with 13 journalists and media professionals killed and 88 recorded cases of violent assault and intimidation of journalists.
Shrinking Environment for Civil Society Organizations in Afghanistan
