Commemoration of Constitution Week by Attorney General’s Office
Commemoration of Constitution Week by Attorney General’s Office
On January 4, 2017, Attorney General’s Office (AGO) Information and Public Relations Department held a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Constitution. Participants included Saranpoh Noor Habib Jalal, Deputy Attorney General for Investigation, Saranpoh Enayatullah Kamal, Deputy Attorney General for Judiciary, and Major General Abdul Fatah Azizi, Deputy Attorney General for Military Affairs. Additional participants included Saranyar Wahiduddin Arghoon, Deputy Attorney General for Administrative and Finance Affairs, Dr. Abdul Rauf Herawi, Member of Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of Constitution, and the central and provincial directors of AGO.
In the ceremony, Saranpoh Noor Habib Jalal said, “The Constitution determines the authority area of the system, responsibility, and implementers of the law. Meanwhile, obligations and freedom of individuals are also enshrined in this law.”
Mr. Jalal believes that commemoration of the Constitution Week is not enough. Pointing at AGO employees, he added, “We, as the implementers of this law, should apply its rules and regulations in our duties. We are responsible to obey this law and held accountable. In the meantime, we should act with the suspects legally. According to the law, the suspects are not criminals until issuance of the final verdict by the court. I hope that obeying law turns into everyday ethics of the people and no one suffers by non-implementation of the law.”
Law experts have divided the Constitution into two categories, flexible and non-flexible. The amendable law by legislative power is flexible. However, non-flexible law is different; its amendment and revision requires formal processes such as formulation. According to Mr. Jalal, the Constitution of Afghanistan is non-flexible.
Dr. Abdul Rauf Herawi, Member of Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of Constitution, named the Constitution of Afghanistan as one of the best laws in the region. He said, “The Constitution of Afghanistan complies with all the International Conventions, Treaties, and Charters. People’s freedom and fundamental rights and duties and responsibilities of the government are clearly outlined in this law.”
According to Mr. Herawi, the Constitution ensures individual’s rights. Obeying the rules and regulations of this law results in good governance in Afghanistan, while pointing at AGO, he said, “AGO is the implementer of this law. Defending individual’s rights and supporting their freedoms are responsibilities of this office. At the end of the day, rule of law results in welfare and prosperity of the people.”
The current Constitution is the eighth Constitution for Afghanistan. Loya Jirga approved it in 2003 and it consists of (12) Chapters and (162) Articles. In 2010, the country established an Independent Commission for Overseeing implementation of the Constitution, and oversees application of the Constitution and reports to the President. Afghan governmental offices hold a ceremony each year to commemorate Constitution Week.