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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Brig. Gen. Abdul Akim, local chief of police from Khost province, signs a guarantor statement indicating his intent to monitor and support released detainees during a detainee release shura here July 24. Unlike previous shuras where former detainees from the detention facility in Parwan were released, this event was facilitated entirely by local Afghan leadership. (Photo by U.S. Navy Capt. Pamela Kunze) |
KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - During a detainee release shura here July 24, another critical step was made toward transitioning detention operations from the United States to Afghanistan. Unlike any previous shura in which former detainees from the detention facility in Parwan were released, this event was facilitated entirely by local leadership.
"We're moving to transition U.S. detention operations to the government of Afghanistan, including the facilities and the processes by which we deal with detainees," said Vice Adm. Robert Harward, JTF-435 commander.
Harward said the process is open to the public and steps are ongoing for the responsible transition of detention operations to the Afghans. Building and sustaining capacity and capability throughout the Afghan judicial system is critical for the transition.
"We've taken this whole process and opened it up to the press, human rights organizations, Afghan independent human rights and civilians, so it's a very open and transparent system," he said. "But we're also developing the capacity now to prosecute some individuals. We foresee all these cases ultimately being handled by judicial processes of Afghanistan and we've begun that. In June we prosecuted four cases and the individuals were convicted."
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Mohebur Rahman, JTF-435 deputy commander, presided over the event and, along with Khost Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi, welcomed the former detainees back into the community. Dozens of people, including friends, family members and tribal elders attended the event to greet the twelve former detainees.
Detainee release shuras are part of a multi-step approach to detention operations. While at the Detention Facility in Parwan, detainees have opportunities to participate in educational and vocational classes. The intent is to provide detainees with skills that will enable them to find work, easing the reentry process and creating economic incentives to keep them from returning to the battlefield. Nearly 170 detainees have been released throughout Afghanistan since January when the first release shura was held.
Joint Task Force 435 is responsible for U.S. detention operations in Afghanistan and provides leadership for the Detention Facility in Parwan. The command was established Sept. 18, 2009, by the Secretary of Defense. The detention mission includes ensuring safe, secure, humane care and custody of detainees consistent with international law. Additionally, JTF-435 oversees the detainee review process, implements programs for the peaceful reintegration of detainees into society and coordinates with other agencies and partners for the promotion of the rule of law in Afghanistan.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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| Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Mohebur Rahman, Joint Task Force 435 deputy commander, talks with the media after a detainee release shura here July 24. Rahman presided over the release shura and welcomed the former detainees back into the community. Dozens of people, including friends, family members and tribal elders attended the shura to greet the former detainees. (Photo by U.S. Navy Capt. Pamela Kunze) |
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richard hernasy
07 Aug 2010, 10:11
Who is the provincial police chief for Khost?
Do you have a picture?
Any other way I can stay plugged in to Khost??
Thanks
SFC H
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