The Department of Coordination, Assessment and Registration of Social Organizations and Political Parties was established in the Ministry of Justice on the basis of Decree No. 152, dated 5/8/1381 (27/10/2002). This department has 21 contractors and in compliance with the approved organization.

The purpose for establishing this department was for the coordination, assessment and registration of social organizations and political parties made on the basis of Approval No. (44/12), dated 25/6/81 [16/09/2002]. The Council of Ministers approved it in four Chapters and 25 Articles, signed by the President on 5/8/1381 [27/10/2002] and published on 22 Jadi 1381[12/10/2003] in Official Gazette No. 804.

From the inception of its function until 25/11/1384 [14/02/2006], 456 social organizations have obtained permission to engage in their activities. The social organizations are in the form of civil institutions and offer services and activities to the people of Afghanistan in the areas of cultural, social, scientific, research, artistic and vocational fields. Social organizations are non-governmental and cannot be attached to any government organ. Moreover, the services of these organizations are non-profit, i.e. they are not commercial or profitable in nature, but act as a bridge between the people and the government. They review peoples’ problems in different areas and collaborate with government agencies related to the above-mentioned fields. They inform government organizations about the peoples’ problems. Moreover, these organizations may point out inadequacies and defects in the government so that the officials may take steps in the removal of these difficulties.

The Law on Political Parties is comprised of 5 Chapters and 25 Articles, and the Regulations on the Procedure for Registering Political Parties are in 3 Chapters and 10 Articles. These laws and regulations were approved by the Council of Ministers via Approval No. 23, dated 17/6/1382 [08/09/2003] and signed by the President in Decree No. 73, dated 22/7/1382 [14/10/2003] and published in Official Gazette No. 812 on 26/7/1383 [17/10/2003].

After enforcement of the Law on Political Parties’ and pursuant to Article 2 of the Regulation on Political Parties, the registration of political parties is a responsibility of  the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice turned over the responsibility of the registration of political parties to the Department of Coordination and this department is currently registering social organizations and political parties.  From the inception of its activities the Department of Coordination has been able to register 81 political parties. After completion of the process, licenses were issued.  The registration of 6 political parties is currently under process.

Political parties play a vital role in the politics of any nation. Societies lacking powerful political parties do not possess political knowledge and motivation, and similarly, fail to provide for the welfare of the people, development and progress to a nation.

Based on this consideration and in view of Article 3 of the Law on Political Parties which states that the political system of the government of Afghanistan is based on democracy and number of political parties, this office shall register political parties after the completion of their essential documents. So far this important issue has been administered fairly.

Social organizations and political parties shall observe those obligations prescribed by law. However, it has been rarely observed after the registration of the social organizations and political parties, in accordance with the existing law, that they will officially inform this office concerning their activities and plans. We are hopeful for a flourishing, non-discriminatory and just future, despite the challenges and deficits that still exist. Moreover, we believe in the role of the social organizations and political parties and also in the improvement of work quality and responsible struggle. It is worth mentioning that the number of employees of this office have been downsized from 21 to 15 in accordance with Letter No. 2158, dated 17/6/1384 [08/09/2005], from Administrative Reforms.

Al-haj Khalilluah Faqeeri was the acting head of this department when it was established, and Mr. Abdul Rahim Forootan as deputy. Sayed Mohammad Hashemi was appointed as the first director of the department from 6/4/1384 [27/06/2003] to 12/2/1384 [02/05/2005]. Later, on 12/3/84 [02/06/2005] the vision of the Ministry and implementation of administrative reforms, Mr. Abdul Ghiyas Ilyasee was appointed as head of this department and is currently performing the duties of the department.

In addition, on the basis of Letter No. 2158, dated 17/6/1384 [08/09/2005], the Human Resources Office of the General Sub-Directorate of Duties of Officials, forwarded the duties of the Director of Coordination of the department as follows:

• Provide effective coordination of the affairs of the department and register social organizations and the political parties.>
• Supervision and control of all other branches of this department.
• On the spot actions over the work affairs of all the braches of this department.
• Assure cooperation with parties and social organizations.
• Guide, cooperate, and analyze the affairs of this department.
• Participate in meetings of governing boards and administrative boards of the Ministry and reporting to the higher authorities of the Ministry.

The organizational chart of the Department for the Coordination, Assessment, and Registration of Social Organizations and Political Parties is as follows:

Moreover, on the basis of special decrees, this department’s laws and regulations are published and disseminated in a separate Official Gazette. We hope for strong and unified social organizations and national political parties.

Regards,
Abdul Ghiyas Ilyasee
Director of the Department of Coordination