This document describes Amnesty International’s (AI) concern that thousands of political prisoners in Afghanistan sentenced since 1978, including prisoners of conscience, have not received a fair trial; hundreds more remain in detention awaiting trial. The report examines development of special political courts in Afghanistan, namely the Special Revolutionary Court and its successor, the Special Court of National Security. Policy changes in 1986 which affected political prisoners are discussed. AI is concerned about prisoners’ rights to judicial appeal when tried in this system of special tribunals. The organization is also concerned that the operation of special courts in Afghanistan contravenes several key international human rights standards.
