UPR OF AFGHANISTAN – INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE

UPR WORKING GROUP – EIGHTEENTH SESSION
[27 January 2014]

INTERVENTION BY INDIA

Mr. President,

1.India warmly welcomes the delegation of Afghanistan led by Mr. Muhammad Qasim Hashimzai, Senior Advisor for Ministry of Justice.  We appreciate the report’s candid acknowledgement of the numerous challenges faced by the country.

Mr. President,

2.Afghanistan is at a critical juncture in its remarkable political and security transition. We commend Afghanistan for adopting legislation for the Independent Election Commission and putting in place the independent Election Complaints Commission against extraordinary odds.  We take positive note of the various efforts by Afghanistan to ensure peace, stability, democracy and establishing a strong foundation for the protection of human rights, in particular the development of a public health vision titled “Health for all Afghans for 2012 to 2020” and  other  health programmes and strategies.

3.We note with appreciation the various measures for the realisation of women’s human rights and gender equality, including the increased recruitment rate of women in public health, labour, judiciary and the Border and Tribal Affairs Ministries.  We recommend that Afghanistan continues its efforts in improving the situation of women.

4.We are conscious of the ever present threat of terrorism, which remains a threat to all these achievements. 

5.India reiterates its full support to the goal of a sovereign, democratic and peaceful Afghanistan which would be conducive to the peace, security and stability of the region. We wish Afghanistan all success in its endeavour to ensure a safe, peaceful and stable environment conducive to the realization of all human rights for all its citizens.   

Thank you, Mr. President.