NEW SELECTIONS FOR AFGHAN HUMAN RIGHTS BODY SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED -- UN OFFICIAL

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 28 Jun 2013 13:00:00 -0400
Subject: NEW SELECTIONS FOR AFGHAN HUMAN RIGHTS BODY SHOULD BE
RECONSIDERED -- UN OFFICIAL
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

NEW SELECTIONS FOR AFGHAN HUMAN RIGHTS BODY SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED --
UN OFFICIAL
New York, Jun 28 2013 1:00PM
The United Nations human rights chief today warned that recent
appointments to Afghanistan's top human rights body compromise its
independence and effectiveness and undermine its high standing with
the public and international partners.

On 16 June, after more than 18 months' delay, Afghan President Hamid
Karzai appointed five new commissioners to the Afghanistan Independent
Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and retained four other serving
commissioners, including its chairperson, Sima Samar.

A news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commission for
Human Rights (OHCHR) noted that, under the AIHRC's founding law,
commissioners are required to have a good reputation, demonstrate
independence, enjoy popular trust and have a commitment to human
rights. They should also not belong to any political party during
their term of office.

"Serious concerns have been raised whether the new commissioners meet
these important eligibility standards," said High Commissioner Navi
Pillay. "I am alarmed by statements of civil society leaders about the
recent appointments. All Afghan people and civil society must have
full confidence in the AIHRC if it is to function effectively."

She stressed that national human rights institutions are of crucial
importance in monitoring and protecting human rights. Since 2002, the
AIHRC has played an "absolutely critical, frontline role" in defending
human rights in Afghanistan, she stated.

"With the accelerating transition in Afghanistan, this vital national
institution will assume an even greater importance. Now is not the
time to weaken or undermine it, but to strengthen it and ensure its
members are of the highest integrity and are committed to human
rights," she said.

Ms. Pillay also stressed the importance of national human rights
institutions complying with international standards called the "Paris
Principles," which set out best practice for such institutions to
function independently and effectively.

The Principles require that commissioners are widely recognized as
independent, expert in human rights and ensure the pluralist
representation of civil society and are chosen in a participatory,
transparent and consultative selection process with the extensive
involvement of civil society.

She urged the Government to reconsider the recent appointments and
re-open the selection process in line with the requirements of the
AIHRC law and the Paris Principles.


Jun 28 2013 1:00PM
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