Brussels, 12 May 2012. "How is the security in Afghanistan?", "What exactly is EUPOL doing?", "How is the situation of women there?": Numerous questions were asked to EUPOL Afghanistan's team at the EU Open day in Brussels in the atrium of the Justus Lipsius building. Its stand attracted hundreds of people from Belgium and beyond. The team engaged throughout the day with the public and used the opportunity to explain in-depth the mission's daily work and its challenges. High in demand were not only the first-hand information provided but also leaflets and scarves, almonds and raisins directly imported from Afghanistan.

Kabul, 26 April 2012.After five weeks of rigorous training at Central Training Centre (CTC) Kabul, Captain Akhtar Mohammad salutes in front of his teachers and can’t wait to hold his certificate in his hands. For Akthar, it is not the certificate that makes him proud but rather the knowledge he acquired. Akhtar is one of over 2400 Afghan National Police Officers who have completed the Train-the-Trainer Course since 2009, which has been delivered by EUPOL and the German Police Project Team (GPPT). Rindert Van Dijk, EUPOL Training Advisor added: “The Train The Trainer Programme has also been delivered in the Provinces by EUPOL's Mobile Training Teams”. 

Kabul, 25. April 2012. Zsolt from Pol-E-Khomri and Gediminas from Chaghcharan are engaged in a heated discussion about how best to arrange mentoring sessions for prosecutors in the midst of a more than challenging security environment. Sanela from Kabul exchanges stories with Rune from Meymaneh about female officer training. Eemeli from Bamyan tells Bengt-Ake from Mazar about a recent public murder trial in Bamian’s primary court, witnessed by more than 50 observers from the public, victim representatives and civil society – all the result of a EUPOL project to refurbish Bamian court rooms and to train justice actors in fair trial standards.

Kabul, 24 April 2012. Cross-institutional education: Future top army officers received an overview of the principle of civilian policing by EUPOL’s Chief Inspector Ed Henriet. At the prestigious Afghan National Army Strategic Command and Staff Course (SCSC), he described how vital building community trust and confidence is in making the Afghan National Police (ANP) effective.

Kabul, 15 April 2012. The European Police Mission in Afghanistan hosted from 12 until 15 April a high ranking delegation from Brussels led by Hansjörg Haber (pictured left), Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) and Civilian Operations Commander, and Walter Stevens, Director of the Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD). The topic of the visit was the upcoming Strategic Review of the Mission, which is to be completed by mid-June of this year and will provide guidance on the future direction of EUPOL Afghanistan.

Kabul, 14 April 2012. A 19 year old girl in desperation setting herself on fire to escape the rumours that she was pregnant and brought shame on her family, which the hospital could confirm were only rumours. A 13-year-old girl raped by a 65 years old man and then ordered public execution by her Jirga for bringing shame to the tribe. The list of cases and examples of everyday violence against women and girls in Afghanistan is endless. But there are is hope. There are persons and organizations who are striving for change. Frozan Karimi is one of them. As the Acting Head of the Attorney General’s Office/EVAW Unit (Elimination of Violence against Women) in Herat. She is determined to make a difference. Her unit is considered to be one of the most effective ones in the country.

Kabul, 13 April 2012. 63 years military and police experience, 14 years as trainers:  Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Jan and Captain Ghulam Muhoiddin are bringing a lifetime of knowledge to the classroom of the Central Training Centre (CTC) in Kabul. Despite their seniority, both professionals are now students again: they observe with great interest how EUPOL’s trainers are sharing their practical ‘know how’ with their Afghan colleagues during a three weeks detective course. They are well aware of the fact, that they will be the ones delivering the course in the future.

Kabul, 5 April 2012. Babona Farozi from Daikondi Province became the first female officer to attend a senior detective training at the Police Staff College in Kabul, when she started the two week course in March. 24-year old Babona is a third Lieutenant, with only three and a half years service. Currently she works as a Detective Officer within the Women and Family Department in Sharstan District.