International Security Assistance Force In Afghanistan

EDM number 1618 in 2001-02, proposed by Joan Ruddock on 11/07/2002.

That this House notes with alarm reports of escalating violence in areas of Afghanistan not patrolled by the International Security Assistance Force and statements made on behalf of non-governmental organisations involved in Afghan relief that it is becoming almost impossible for many non-governmental organisations to work effectively in Northern areas due to repeated attacks, hijacks and looting; further notes that in one incident a French female aid worker was gang-raped and her Afghan driver severely beaten; further notes that reports of intimidation and attacks on Afghan women are also increasing; believes that the international community must respond to calls from the President of Afghanistan, women's organisations in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom offices of Care International, Afghan Aid, Merlin, OXFAM, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision, Womankind Worldwide and the United Kingdom Women's Link with Afghan Women to extend the mandate of ISAF outside Kabul and in the first instance to the Mazar area; further notes that the United Kingdom's leadership of ISAF was very well received in Afghanistan and that the Secretary of State for Defence has said that United Kingdom troops could be returned in an emergency; further believes that such an emergency now exists; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to do all in its power to seek agreement from the United States of America and UN for an extended mandate for ISAF to ensure that progress to peace and democracy is not fundamentally undermined by the resumption of violence.

This motion has been signed by a total of 108 MPs.