III. How Can Direct Participation of Victims be Implemented in the Afghan Peace Process? There are diverse global examples for victims’ participation, however, to be successful, the modality must address the unique challenges of Afghanistan. The Afghan government has previously made some very modest efforts to include victims in peacebuilding efforts, which can be instructive here. If victims are relegated to a separate and politically marginalised committee or sub-committee, their engagement will not be meaningful. Victims have to be dealt with as actors capable of speaking for themselves, articulating their demands and influencing the construction of the process in line with their visions and ideals. Conflict actors must not treat victims of wars as mere subjects at the margin of peace negotiations. There is no substitute for direct involvement of victims, even if those taking part in the peace negotiations are themselves likely to have been direct or indirect victims of the last four decades of war. However, those participants will be there in their professional capacities as negotiators or government representatives, rather than their capacity in representing victims of war. There must be direct participation from victims themselves. This call for victims’ participation enjoys a significant international support. For instance, the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan has specifically asked for effective participation of victims in the peace process.1 Taking the above factors into account, the following constitutes key features and elements of direct victims’ participation: Direct Representation Direct representation involves participation of victims in a number of closely inter-connected peace institutions. This includes direct involvement in negotiations, helping to develop the structure of the peace negotiations, steering strategic debates centred on fundamental principles, helping to develop the structure that will underpin future political, governance and accountability arrangements, and engagement with entities that provide technical support to various tiers of peace actors and negotiating delegates. Participation in key institutions of peacebuilding will provide strong guarantees for substative representation of victims of war in peacebuilding process. Direction representation has two important components, a) representation in key peace and negotiation institutions and, b) broader victims’ testimonies before the negotiating delegations and key conflict actors: a) Representation in Key Peace Institutions • Representation in Negotiating Delegation. The significance of victims’ representation in this body lies in the sustained engagement and articulation of victims’ interests and demands as the negotiation progresses and unfolds. • Representation in High Reconciliation Council. The involvement of victims’ representation in broader discussion on key values, principles and structures of the future state is equally important. It will help victims’ representatives to cross-fertilise between the two peace institutions and contribute to a more effective and smooth negotiation. • Lead a Victims ‘Technical Committee”. There has to be a technical committee for victims’ affairs where the members can provide technical input and advice to victim representatives in the Negotiation Delegation and in the High Reconciliation Council. 1. EU Press Release on the Formation of a Peace Negotiation Team, 31 March 2020 BUILDING A LASTING PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN: PARTICIPATION OF VICTIMS OF WAR IN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS |6|