Land Acquisition in Afghanistan : A Report

The purpose of this report is to review
and assess Afghanistan's legal framework regulating
social safeguards (national and local laws, regulations,
procedures and policies) with special reference to the law
and practice of compulsory land acquisition, or
expropriation. The overall objective of the report is to
consider how Afghanistan's legal framework would
address social safeguard issues in upcoming World Bank
projects which are likely to involve land acquisition and
resettlement of those persons whose land is to be acquired
in connection with project implementation. The report will
consist of a narrative of the context within which the
assessment will be conducted and the assessment which will
in both narrative and tabular form. Afghanistan is embarking
upon a massive programme of public works to improve and
upgrade the infrastructure of the country: better roads,
clean water; more schools and hospitals in both rural and
urban areas are needed to provide a better life for all
Afghans. The World Bank is committed to providing assistance
towards the realization of this programme. Much of these
public works will involve the acquisition of land on which
people are at present living and obtaining a livelihood
from. It is important to stress at the outset of this report
that far from the object of the report being to impede or
prevent these necessary public works, the aim of the report
and any consequential changes in the law which might result
from its proposals are designed to facilitate those public
works by providing for a clear and fair system of land
acquisition, compensation and resettlement for those people
who will be required to leave their homes and land for the
greater public good in order that the public works can be
carried out. Where people are satisfied that they have been
treated fairly, they will be more likely to co-operate in
being moved from their homes and this will facilitate the
execution of the public works.