FOR many Afghans, slain Afghan journalist Sultan Munadi has become a symbol for all that is wrong with the United States-led war in Afghanistan. One thousand and thirteen Afghan civilians died due to the conflict in the first six months of this year, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, a 24 percent increase over the same period in 2008, when 818 civilians were killed.

This figure does not reflect the possibly thousands more who perished due to forced displacement and ruined crops caused by the war.

Munadi, an accomplished and respected reporter in his own right, was working as a translator and guide for New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell, a Briton, on a story about possible civilian casualties.

On Sep. 8, the pair travelled to Kunduz, where U.S. bombers called in by German commander Col. Georg Klein laid waste a fuel tanker that had been hijacked by insurgent fighters.

A NATO fact-finding team estimated that about 125 people were killed in the bombing, while a delegation of the Ministry of Interior was sent to gather details about the civilian casualties. A full investigation is still being undertaken. The investigation faces the grim challenge of distinguishing between civilian and insurgent remains, as all were equally turned into ashes.

The two reporters travelled north to survey the damage and interview witnesses. According to Farrell's account of the ordeal, posted on a Times blog, he and Munadi visited the site of the ruined tanker on the second day of their reporting trip to Kunduz. They spent at least a half-hour there, talking to local residents.

Then the Taliban showed up.

The two were immediately taken into custody and for four days whisked from hideout to hideout, in an effort to avoid detection. However, coalition forces were monitoring their cell-phone conversations and a helicopter-borne rescue operation was soon mounted by British commandos.

The commandos stormed the hideout and Munadi, dressed in Afghan clothes, came out shouting "Journalist, Journalist." He was immediately shot.

One of the commandos was also killed in the raid.

The British spirited their countryman away from the scene, but left Munadi's body behind to the dust and vermin.

The fact that he was killed by foreign forces while Farrell survived the attack, gives many Afghans the feeling that the coalition doesn't place too high a value on Afghan lives.

At a press conference held at Kabul's Central Hotel last week by the Civil Society and Human Rights Network, Afghan journalists and Munadi's father vented their frustration at what they view as a cavalier attitude of the coalition towards Afghan lives and deaths. "This is a national disaster for Afghanistan," said one speaker.

A statement released prior to the event said, "International forces must respect the human rights of Afghan citizens equally to those of their own citizens… NATO and ISAF forces should treat Afghan citizens, especially victims captured by Taliban, without discrimination during their operations."

Munadi's father was more plainspoken.

"Coalition forces never respect the Afghan people," said the white bearded, stooped senior citizen. "They behave like animals. They deliberately killed my son. I ask the assembled Afghan media to stand up and show strength against the government and foreign forces. Ask them why they behave in this way."

While the assembled journalists nodded in agreement at the elder Munadi's harsh words for the foreigners, there was plenty of scorn left over for the Afghan government.

"The government has done nothing to get to the bottom of this killing, or the killings of many other journalists, as they promised to do," said one newspaper editor.

"Why hasn't the government shown a serious response to civilian deaths?" asked another Afghan journalist. "They never do a thing."

In a telephone interview with Radio Free Afghanistan, Reza Moini, a researcher at Reporters Without Borders, also demanded a thorough investigation. "What is important for us is that Munadi's killing happened under circumstances that have raised many questions. That's why our statement demanded an investigation into this incident …"

The outrage over Munadi's death is compounded by the fact that he is only the latest in a long line of professional reporters killed at the hands of foreigners or insurgents.

Shayima Rezaee, Zakiye Zaki, Sange Amaj, Ajmal Naqshbandi, Rohani and Jawid, were all working diligently to bring news to the Afghan people when their lives were brutally ended by one side or another of this conflict.

Afghan media professionals pledged to work together to get to the bottom of Sultan's slaying.

"Only we can fully investigate this issue," said one journalist. "It is our voices that will shake the world."

[Courtesy IPS, Killid is an independent Afghan media group. IPS and Killid have been partners since 2004.]

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Plants know no frontiers, they grow everywhere

Nasseem Ackbarally interviews AMEENAH GURIB-FAKIM

AMEENAH GURIB-FAKIM has spent the last two decades travelling among the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean studying plants. And now the Mauritian scientist has been awarded the African Union Women Scientist Regional Award 2009 this month for her scientific achievement and contribution through science to the socio-economic development of Africa.

This competition is meant to support the use and development of science in Africa.

For the past 20 years, Gurib-Fakim has worked on medicinal and aromatic plants in Mauritius and the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. She has published several books and received a number of international awards for her works.

Nasseem Ackbarally talked to Gurib-Fakim on her research work, on intellectual property rights, on how Africa is faring in this field and also how the continent can reap from economic benefits out of its biodiversity.

IPS: What has been the outcome of your research over the past twenty years?

AMEENAH GURIB-FAKIM: My major contribution has been the substantive documentation that I have (written on the) medicinal and aromatic plants of Mauritius and the other islands of the Indian Ocean.

But particularly for Mauritius and Rodrigues in as much as the very first documentation was made almost 200 years ago. I have shown through my documentation that there has been an increase in the use of indigenous plants in a wide range of forms like medicines, cosmetics, food, dyes, and others and that these plants form part of the flora and fauna of our islands and, of course, of the local heritage.

By so doing, I have put at the disposal of the government a very important tool for (the) patenting of future plants and plant products emanating from the Mauritian biodiversity.

IPS: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regarding plants constitutes a major issue. What is happening on this front in Africa?

AGF: The whole legacy of developing countries has been relooked (at) through the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD). Unfortunately, the CBD has no enforcement power. But it has been a very important tool in raising awareness of countries that there is an IPR issue.

(It has made countries aware) that they have got sovereign rights on their biodiversity and that if they play their cards right, they can derive substantial benefits from it.

In terms of awareness, for example, countries have been trying desperately to put their laws in harmony with those of the World Trade Organisation and to make them TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) compliant. So if they are to develop anything from their biodiversity in the future the legal framework would be there.

But, unfortunately, a lot of countries in the developing world have not been moving fast enough on conservation issues. Therefore there is a loss of biodiversity to firms and institutions that are less scrupulous in terms of addressing the prime concern of intellectual property of countries.

IPS: Why do you think Africa is failing to reap the benefits from their rights on their valuable plants?

AGF: Today, Africa contributes 25 percent in terms of genetic diversity in the world trade. This is a very substantial output from this continent. But Africa loses out in terms of adopting the same approach as regards the development of drugs in the continent.

For example, there is no legal requirement for the development of drugs emanating from African plants. Researchers and scientists have been very keen on publishing everything and putting it in the public domain. Once it is in the public domain, patenting becomes almost impossible. From this point of view, Africa has lost out and has not been able to harness its biodiversity to its best advantage.

IPS: Is there anything that can be done now?

AGF: Africans have to have their governments recognising traditional medicine. There should be a two-prong approach – one is to isolate the molecule and test it for its potential as per the exigencies of the pharmaceutical industry.

The other is validate herbal remedies by taking the traditional recipes, checking and confirming its scientific components and be able to say that they are as good as allopathic medicine from the West. Even scientists and doctors are increasingly realising that sometimes the standards of extracts have much more benefits than the isolated molecules.

If African countries are to (develop) fast in this field, they’ll have to validate traditional herbal extracts because there is big money in this. This will also have a big impact on agriculture, which is very problematic on the continent because of several reasons including climate change.

The farmer would benefit as well as the healers and also the common man in getting safe and cheap medication which we must not forget is in line with the African culture. Both the cultural and economic aspects would thus be addressed.

Again, documentation would be required and we have to ensure that whatever is being produced on the continent is up to world standard so that the medication could also be exported. This is where the money will flow back into the continent.

IPS: Can useful medicines and products be developed in Africa?

AGF: I am the chairperson of the Association of African Medicinal Plants Standards (AAMPS) that is working on the standardisation of herbal remedies that will soon publish the African pharmacopeia. This will not only provide the recipes, the benefits, the pharmacology, the toxicology, the side-effects but more importantly, it will put a big focus on the trading standards.

Until the farmer does not produce according to the norms of what is sought by the principal consumer in Europe and the United States, he’ll not be able to sell (his product). This is an area where we are putting lots of energy in terms of providing the farmers with the trading standards in order to reap the benefits.

IPS: Are there not too many external interests preventing African countries from doing something?

AGF: Health is a national issue and each country will have to relook at itself and analyse how best they can derive benefits from their own biodiversity by providing products that are compatible with the norms. This is the area where countries can compete with each other based on the same biodiversity but, of course, providing the good products.

IPS: How do you see the future of Africa?

AGF: The future is good for Africa. I am very positive about it. I travel a lot in the continent and I see much progress has been done and is made increasingly.

Africans are more and more focused on all aspects that will bring them revenue and benefits for their populations. [Courtesy IPS]

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Ive children stories: I am Nandini

Pearl V. Jasra

THIS is the story of Nandini. She lives with her Nani (grandmother). Nandini’s mother is a widow and so is her Nani. Nandini’s mom was 6 months pregnant when her husband died of electric shock as he was an electrician. In due time Nandini was born. And when her mother completed the customary sawa-mahina (forty days) in the home of her in-laws, she was sent to her parental house for phera (woman visiting her parental house with the new born for the first time).

That was seven years ago because Nandini is seven now and is in Upper-KG. Nobody from her father’s side came to get them back eversince, only because her mother bore a daughter i.e. Nandini. It is no more of a suspense now that anybody will EVER come from her deceased father’s home to take them back.

So widow nani, widow mother and little Nandini live in ramshackle shanty of a house.
The threesome thrown together with a jinxed fate (so far).

Her Nani is viah kamaun wali, (one who cooks food at marriages), Her mother is maid-servant who wants to educate Nandini
Well Nandini is a quiet girl with an awesome twinkle in her eyes (see picture) and when she smiles jan nikaal deti hai…her smile is so radiant. Her hand writing is very neat, almost meticulous (see picture). She likes to keep the clothes that I give, very clean and creased.
“How do you iron them Nandini, you have no electricity at home”?
“Didi dho suka ke te teh la ke mai saun wele apne sirhane hethan rakh laindi han”.
(after washing and drying I crease and place them under my pillow before sleeping).
And she is really good at reciting panjabi rhymes.
There was a time when her mother would take her to homes where she does dishes and cleaning .And when Nandini would come the next day she would always whisper to me
“Didi mainu nahi changa lagda ,” (I don’t like it).
So I actually had to get after her poor mother…..who actually relented.
With no grandfather, no father and no brother in her poor home, Nandini lives alone,
singing her own little songs, spinning her own little stories, weaving her own little dreams.
Thank you Nandini, for being there.

[Nandini in Sanskrit means daughter, one who brings joy. Hindu Myth: name of wish-granting cow. Ganga and Goddess Durga are also called Nandini]

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Ive children stories: Roshni’s light

Pearl V. Jasra

MEET Roshni, youngest of three siblings of a single mother. Her father deserted them some years ago. Their mom is a maid servant. All the three do not go to school because she just cannot afford to send them. Roshni did attend school for two years but that’s it …With their father going away, her mother could support her education no further.

I found Roshni about a month ago through one of my poor children, who told me about a girl who doesn’t go to school, living near her home. Roshni actually wants to go to school and I am furiously trying to find a sponsorer who will support her education for this year at least. The day I gave her some new copies, primers and slippers she was so very happy. I discovered that she likes to keep her copy neat. Her handwriting is turning out to be well formed considering she has a pronounced squint. Isn’t it ironic that this beautiful little girl has a pronounced squint but her name is Roshni (light).

Well She loves poems and rhymes… that is why this story. Here is her favorite poem:

Lambay lambay raste long distances
Bharay bharay baste heavy school bags
Chukke nahi janday. so difficult to carry.

moddhay vi dukhde shoulders ache
goday vi dukhde knees ache too

madam ji aunngay teacher will come
hukkam chlannge order all of us
‘kitaba kholo ‘open your books
pichhe pichhe bolo.’ repeat and repeat.’

boli ki jani ae what does she mean
assi koi totay han? “ are we parrots ?

I am sure Roshni’s favorite poem has been and still is, in the centre of a debate out there about their bags being more than half the weight of every primary school going child.
Roshni is very chirpy and it is almost an effort to stop her once she starts reciting poems.

It deserves mention here that one of her two brothers, who is ten years old is a child labourer, does/learns embroidery at a wayside boutique from 8 am to 8pm.

Hear Roshni recite this poem by following this link: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7nVz1ip7F4]

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