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Commission urges action from political leaders

Graphic: Dr Sima Samar, AIHRC Chairperson, addreess the opening of the National Conference

The National Conference on the Future of Human Rights in Afghanistan developed a practical set of strategies and recommendations for government.


The Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission has urged the leaders of the National Unity Government to take serious steps to improve human rights protection in the country.

Speaking at the National Conference on the Future of Human Rights in Afghanistan, Dr Sima Samar said that the improvements in the human rights situation that were made following the fall of the Taliban remained fragile.

She called on the government to adopt practical measures to protect the rights of women, children and people with disabilities, as well as in relation to the prohibition of torture, the killing of civilians and promoting access to justice.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the National Unity Government, renewed the government's "commitment to defend the human rights of the people" and added that "the rights of the Afghan people will not be traded off in any way" during the peace process.

Second Vice President Sarwar Danish told the conference that the AIHRC should have effective participation in all legislative sessions and in the Legislative Committee of the Cabinet so that the views of the AIHRC can be considered in all human rights laws.

More than 250 people took part in the National Conference, held on 8-9 April 2015 and hosted by the AIHRC in collaboration with Amnesty International.

Separate working groups developed recommendations and strategies on the following topics, which were supported by all participants of the conference:

  • Women's rights
  • Rights of children and persons with disabilities
  • Rule of law (torture and access to justice)
  • Protection of human rights organizations
  • Civilian casualties, IDPs and returnees
  • Obligation of the State to human rights
  • Peace process and protection of human rights values
  • Business and human rights.

The AIHRC and Amnesty International, along with other international and national human rights bodies involved in the conference, have committed to follow up on the status of these recommendations.

A more detailed conference report, along with a full list of the recommendations, is available on the AIHRC website.

Date: 11 April 2015


Image credits

  1. Dr Sima Samar, AIHRC Chairperson, addreess the opening of the National Conference - AIHRC, Facebook