I am thrilled and honored to join you on this historical tribunal. All Afghans, particularly the families of the war victims expect the Belmarsh Tribunal to heal their wounds by holding the U.S. accountable for the thousands of innocent Afghans lives they destroyed and the future they stole. And I salute the Progressive International for this remarkable initiative.

This is true that Taliban’s sudden and mysterious takeover of Kabul was of course a surprise for the whole world, but for our people it was not of too much surprise as we witnessed how in one week, city after city fell under the control of the Taliban without any resistance or fighting back, and on the other hand, the shameful deal made between the US and Taliban in Doha was clear that they will bring the terrorist Taliban back to power.

Marcel Cartier & Selay Ghaffar September 30, 2021

Two days before the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, I was gearing up to interview one of Afghanistan’s most prominent women's rights activists. I have long admired Selay Ghaffar for her role in not only promoting gender equality and social justice policies, but also for her resolute opposition to the United States and NATO occupation of her country, which was often justified using humanitarian pretexts.

For nearly two decades, Selay Ghaffar has been outspoken in condemning the US and NATO invasion of Afghanistan. Her fierce stance against the Islamic fundamentalists and the US backed regime that collapsed in August 2021, made her a high a popular figure in Afghanistan. Here are some of her viewpoints on key issues.