OHCHR in Afghanistan
The major sources of insecurity in Afghanistan stem from human rights violations or the failure effectively to address the violations of the past, High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said during her recent visit to the country. On her mission, she focused on two principal issues, the protection of civilians and transitional justice.
Ms Arbour said in Kabul on 20 November that the deliberate targeting of civilians, including teachers and humanitarian workers, is in breach of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and those responsible should be held to account for such crimes. Regarding transitional justice, she indicated there needs to be a recommitment on the part of the Government and its international supporters, to advance the broader dimensions of the transitional justice agenda.
“Ultimately,” she said, “efforts to build the rule of law and reform the justice sector will not succeed as long as impunity at the highest levels remains unaddressed.”
OHCHR works with the human rights component of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and supports the work of the mission in building the capacity of the Government and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).
The AIHRC is recognized as the primary agency for protecting and promoting human rights in Afghanistan and focuses on six programmatic areas: human rights education, monitoring and investigation of complaints, protection and promotion of women's rights, protection and promotion of child rights, transitional justice, and rights of persons with disabilities.
There are ongoing efforts to enhance UNAMA's capacity to meet with its obligations under the Afghanistan Compact, the new framework for international cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, and its new mission mandate.
Louise Arbour said there have been positive achievements since her last visit in 2005. However, she acknowledged, the top issue on everyone's agenda continues to be security.
“Some seem to think that human rights are a luxury that can be enjoyed only after security is ensured,” the High Commissioner said. “Some also regard human rights as counter to local religious and cultural traditions and a Western imposition. But I have found Afghans from all walks of life claiming their rights to food, shelter, education, livelihood, health, justice and physical security. And the creation of new institutions to protect human rights is not an attack on traditional systems but should complement and build upon their strengths.”
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