From 1 to 3 May 1981, the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal held its first session on Afghanistan in Stockholm, examining the consequences of the Soviet military intervention in December 1979. Against the backdrop of widespread international condemnation of the invasion by the United Nations and numerous states, the session aimed to ascertain whether the intervention complied with international law and to assess violations of the rights of the Afghan people.
Drawing on extensive documentation, testimonies from refugees and exiles, and contributions from experts in various fields, the Tribunal reconstructed the country’s political and social context. It documented the effects of the Soviet occupation on the civilian population and the right of the Afghan people to self-determination.
In its Judgement, the Tribunal characterised the Soviet Union’s intervention as an act of aggression against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Afghanistan. It affirmed the USSR’s international responsibility for committing a crime against peace. As the evidence of violations of humanitarian law was insufficient, the Tribunal also ordered the establishment of a Special Commission of Inquiry and the convening of a second session, which took place in Paris in December 1982.
Documentation:
The Judgment is available in Italian.