RFE/RL, November 19, 2014

Report Denounces Land-Grabbing In Afghanistan

The report says less than 34 percent of Afghanistan's land has been surveyed and legally registered, leaving the rest vulnerable to land-grabs

An Afghan independent corruption watchdog says the usurpation of state and private land has been "a significant problem" for Afghanistan over the past decade.

The Independent Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee issued a report on November 19, saying nearly a quarter of a million hectares of land have been usurped during the last 10 years.

The report says less than 34 percent of Afghanistan's land has been surveyed and legally registered, leaving the rest vulnerable to land-grabs

It denounces a “clear lack of political will" to solve the issue, as well as widespread corruption, lack of a unified land administration system, weak law enforcement units, the extensive presence of warlords, and insufficient legal provisions to prosecute usurpers.

Most of the land was usurped "by those who have, or have had, a significant presence in the government," the report says.

Based on reporting by dpa and Reuters

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