A/RES/62/6 Welcoming, in this regard, recent initiatives to reinforce regional cooperation, including the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Afghanistan Contact Group, Welcoming also the entry of Afghanistan into the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation at the summit meeting of the Association, held in New Delhi on 3 and 4 April 2007, as an opportunity to further promote regional economic cooperation for development, Reaffirming its continued support for the spirit and the provisions of the Bonn Agreement of 5 December 2001, 3 of the Berlin Declaration, including the annexes thereto, of 1 April 2004 4 and of the Afghanistan Compact of 31 January 2006, and pledging 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, Noting the importance of the national Government being representative of the ethnic diversity of the country and ensuring also the full and equal participation of women, Welcoming recent steps to enhance Afghan and international commitment to justice sector reform as outlined at the Conference on the Rule of Law in Afghanistan, held in Rome on 2 and 3 July 2007, Recalling the guarantee of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Afghans in the Constitution as a significant step towards an improved situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular for women and children, and expressing its concern over the harmful consequences of violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups on the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan to guarantee the rule of law, Recalling also Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) of 26 July 2005 on children and armed conflict, Expressing its concern at all civilian casualties, and reiterating its call for all feasible steps to be taken to ensure the protection of civilian lives and for international humanitarian and human rights law to be upheld, Recalling Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 on women and peace and security, and applauding the progress achieved in the empowerment of women in Afghan politics as historic milestones in the political process, which will help to consolidate durable peace and national stability in Afghanistan, while noting the need to promote the empowerment of women also at the provincial level, Noting with concern reports of continued violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law and violent or discriminatory practices including “honour killings” in certain parts of the country, particularly targeting women and girls, and stressing the need for adherence to international standards of tolerance and religious freedom and for judicial investigation and prosecution of relevant cases, _______________ 3 Agreement on Provisional Arrangements in Afghanistan Pending the Re-establishment of Permanent Government Institutions (see S/2001/1154). 4 Available from www.unama-afg.org. 3