For centuries Afghan governments have been averse to respecting the natural rights and freedoms of individuals, but the widespread human rights crisis rife in the country started shortly after the establishment of the Soviet-installed “Democratic Republic of Afghanistan” in 1978.  The Islamist political parties, including the Taliban, added to the dimensions of the crisis. The disappearance of the violent theocratic Taliban regime from power in Afghanistan can be considered as a positive step towards the establishment of law and order in the country, but the human rights situation is still a source of serious concern for those who believe in the universality of human rights. The inhabitants of Afghanistan suffer even today under lawlessness, insecurity and violation of their fundamental rights. The situation in the capital is not much better than it is in the countryside. The ineffective administration of justice, limited woman's legal and social rights, violence against women, harassment of journalists, impunity for past human rights violations, abuses by US-led military forces and the horrible conditions of repatriates and internally displaced people show that the human rights crisis is far from over in Afghanistan.

International human rights organizations do not hesitate to report on the different dimensions of the human rights crisis in Afghanistan. These reports play an important role in attracting the attention of the international community to ongoing violations in the country. The establishment by the Interim Administration, with the assistance of the United Nations, of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in Afghanistan is a remarkable development serving the cause of human rights from an official and intergovernmental perspective. But there is still room and the need for an Afghan human rights organization initiated by independent Afghan individuals that would contribute to the promotion and advancement of awareness of Afghans in regard to internationally recognized fundamental human rights and liberties which the people of Afghanistan are entitled to enjoy. Afghans cannot and should not merely wait and see what international and intergovernmental organizations will do and are doing for the improvement of the human rights situation in their country. Afghan citizens and human rights activists don't want to be mere consumers of what the outside world delivers to them in this regard.

We, the founders of Fayaz Foundation, acknowledge our duty and responsibility by establishing this organization as a focal point for Afghan human rights activists working for the people of Afghanistan. Our foundation will rely on ordinary Afghans, advocate their rights, freedoms and obligations, will attach as much importance to their social and economic rights as to their political and civil ones, and will not acquiesce to political correctness and censorship.

Membership of the Foundation shall be available to persons who have attained their 16th birthday and who accept and share the objectives of the Foundation, pay the annual contribution to the relevant Country Chapter of the Foundation and are ready to support the work of the Foundation by all possible means. Persons who are suspected of committing human rights abuses, war-crimes and crimes against humanity cannot be accepted as members.