A/RES/63/18 Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, 6 to cooperate fully with the Mine Action Programme coordinated by the United Nations and to eliminate all known or new stocks of anti-personnel landmines, and acknowledges the need for more assistance from the international community in this regard; 5F 22. Stresses that regional cooperation constitutes an effective means to promote security and development in Afghanistan; 23. Pledges its continued support, after the successful completion of the political transition, to the Government and people of Afghanistan as they rebuild their country, strengthen the foundations of a constitutional democracy and resume their rightful place in the community of nations; 24. Recalls the constitutional guarantee of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Afghans as a significant political achievement, and stresses the need to fully implement the human rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution, including those regarding the full enjoyment by women and children of their human rights; 25. Calls for the full respect of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, without discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of gender, ethnicity or religion, in accordance with obligations under the Afghan Constitution and international law; 26. Commends the achievements and the commitment of the Government of Afghanistan in this respect, and expresses its concern at the harmful consequences of violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist and criminal groups for the enjoyment of human rights and for the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Afghans; 27. Recalls Security Council resolutions 1674 (2006) of 28 April 2006 and 1738 (2006) of 23 December 2006 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, expresses its concern at the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children, as stated in the recent report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan, 7 reiterates its call for all feasible steps to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians, and calls for full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law; 6F 28. Recognizes the importance of holding free, fair and secure elections in 2009 and 2010 as a crucial step towards consolidating democracy for all Afghans as identified in the Afghanistan Compact, stresses the responsibility of the Afghan authorities in this regard, and calls upon the international community to continue to provide sustained support, including financial assistance and support to the Government of Afghanistan to ensure the security of the elections; 29. Welcomes the steps taken by the Government of Afghanistan on justice sector reform, stresses the need for further accelerated progress towards the establishment of a fair and effective justice system as an important step towards the goal of strengthening the Government, providing security and ensuring the rule of _______________ 6 7 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2056, No. 35597. A/63/372-S/2008/617. 5

Select target paragraph3