NGOs are not a “Soft Power”

Highlighting the Impartiality of NGOs in Afghanistan

9 March 2010

For immediate release

The Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) was created in 1988, as a response to the demand from the many civilian independent aid agencies for a coordinated approach to humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in Pakistan. ACBAR's main mandate is to serve and facilitate the work of its 106 national and international NGO members in order to address efficiently the development and humanitarian needs of Afghans.

As a response to the recent statement made by the NATO Secretary-General, Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen, stating that: the military no longer provides "the complete answer" for complex conflicts, and presenting NGOs as the: "soft power needed to prevail in such crises”, ACBAR and its member organisations would like to clarify certain crucial issues.

By making this statement, NATO contributes to the existing confusion about the roles of various organisations in the country and puts at risk the lives of civilians affected by conflict and those delivering assistance to the people of Afghanistan. In addition, the statement reflects a certain lack of understanding of the Afghan context and the constraints on the NGO community while delivering assistance.

To further clarify, NGOs do not represent a “Soft Power” as incorrectly stated by Mr. Rasmussen. The true nature of a Non Governmental Organisation is independent, which is inherently incompatible with support to any military or political strategy. The core function of an NGO is to provide assistance regardless of any other socio-economic or political motivation.

We call to the attention to Mr. Rasmussen that NATO State Members present in Afghanistan have endorsed key principles outlined in documents such as:

1/ "Principles and good practices for Humanitarian Assistance" signed in Stockholm on the 17th June 2003 by all European countries, Canada, Japan, USA and Australia;

And

2/ "The European consensus on Humanitarian Assistance" officially signed by the Presidents of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the European Union on behalf of the 27 EU Member States in a European Parliament session on 18 December 2007

In doing so, those Nations officially commit to adhere to the three core humanitarian principles of:

• Impartiality: assistance is provided in an equitable and impartial manner without political conditions; it must be provided without discrimination as to ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political opinions, social status, race or religion and solely on the basis of needs.

• Neutrality: all humanitarian assistance must be provided without engaging in hostilities or taking sides in controversies of a political, religious or ideological nature.

In addition they commit to:

• Respect the Operational independence of humanitarian action: humanitarian actors must retain their operational independence

• Respect the Distinction between combatant and non combatant: The independence and civilian nature of humanitarian assistance should be clear at all times – so as not to compromise perception of neutrality and impartiality and endanger humanitarians and intended beneficiaries AND humanitarian actors should ensure that their outward appearance could not be perceived as military.

• Observe international law and human rights: military actors will comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights and UN Security Council Resolutions to which they are subject.

• Respect the neutrality and independence of humanitarian actors: military actors should seek to avoid operations, activities or any conduct which could compromise the independence or safety of humanitarian actors. To the greatest extent possible military operations should be conducted with a view to respecting the humanitarian operating environment. Maintaining a clear distinction between the role and function of humanitarian actors from that of the military is a determining factor in creating an operating environment in which humanitarian organizations can discharge their responsibilities both effectively and safely. Sustained humanitarian access to the affected population may be ensured when it is independent of military and political action.

In light of this, similar declarations as the recent one made by the NATO Secretary General are not only in contradiction with the above mentioned commitments of NATO State Members, but also constitute a denial of NGOs identity and operational principles. ACBAR and its members deplore such statement and take the opportunity of reminding all belligerent forces of the severe and counter productive consequences of such announcements not only for the Aid community, but most importantly for the beneficiaries.

For media inquiries please contact:

Either    Laurent SAILLARD

Director ACBAR

+ 93 (0) 706602570 / +93 (0) 799755001; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or

Mohammad Hashim Mayar
Deputy Director
+ 93 (0) 700 284 323; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it