KABUL: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by calling for all allegations of torture in Afghanistan to be properly investigated. UNAMAs chief human rights official, Norah Niland, calls for those responsible for such abuse to be brought to account. Niland says: Torture, without exception, is unacceptable. UNAMA will support and work with the Afghan authorities to help ensure the government’s commitment to prohibit and inhibit torture is properly upheld as laid out in the Constitution.
Niland continues: As Afghanistan moves towards greater democratization, while continuing to suffer the effects of armed conflict, it is important to re-iterate that it is the duty of the state to prevent, prohibit, investigate and penalize all acts of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. All parties to the conflict, including international actors engaged in detention in Afghanistan, should observe international legal standards and allow for outside scrutiny. The prohibition on torture equally applies to anti-government elements, says Niland.
UNAMA has been working closely with the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission for the last six years and actively engages in efforts to enhance the protection of civilians, advance the rights of women and girls, improve access to justice, help safeguard freedom of expression, and supports implementation of the transitional justice agenda. UNAMAs strengthened and sharpened mandate from the United Nations Security Council in March this year ensures that the protection of human rights in Afghanistan remains a top priority for the mission.-SANA
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