A/RES/65/8 acknowledges the need for continued assistance from the international community in this regard; 26. Stresses the crucial role of constructive regional cooperation in promoting security and development in Afghanistan, encourages further improved relations and enhanced engagement between Afghanistan and its neighbours, and calls for further efforts in this regard, including by regional organizations; 27. Pledges its continued support 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; 28. Emphasizes that good governance, the rule of law and human rights form the foundation for the achievement of a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, and notes the importance of building the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan to promote and protect human rights, the rule of law and governance in an accountable and effective manner; 29. Recalls the constitutional guarantee of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Afghans as a significant political achievement, calls for full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, without discrimination of any kind, and stresses the need to fully implement the human rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution, in accordance with obligations under applicable international law, including those regarding the full enjoyment by women and children of their human rights; 30. Acknowledges and encourages the efforts made by 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; 31. Recalls Security Council resolutions 1674 (2006) of 28 April 2006, 1738 (2006) of 23 December 2006, 1894 (2009) of 11 November 2009, the mid-year report of August 2010 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, prepared by the Assistance Mission, 6 expresses its concern at the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children, notes that the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist and criminal groups are responsible for the significant majority of civilian casualties, reiterates its call for all feasible steps to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians, and calls for additional appropriate steps in this regard and for full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law; 5F 32. Recognizes the importance of holding free, fair, transparent, credible, secure and inclusive elections as crucial steps towards consolidating democracy for all Afghans, stresses the responsibility of the Afghan authorities in this regard, also stresses the need for the timely and orderly preparation of elections, calls upon the international community to continue to provide financial and technical assistance, recalls the leading role of the Assistance Mission in coordinating these efforts, and calls upon the international community to support the Government of Afghanistan and the relevant Afghan institutions as they work to deliver on the Kabul communiqué commitments to initiate a strategy for longer-term election reform; _______________ 6 6 Available from www.unama.unmissions.org.

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