A/RES/67/16
D.
Human rights
49. 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, in particular those regarding the full enjoyment by
women and children of their human rights;
50. Acknowledges and encourages the efforts made by the Government of
Afghanistan in promoting respect for human rights, expresses its concern at the
harmful consequences of violent and terrorist activities, including against persons
belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other
violent and extremist groups and other illegal armed groups and criminals 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, notes with
concern reports of incidents in which violations of human rights and of international
humanitarian law have occurred, including violations committed against women and
children, in particular girls, stresses the need to further promote tolerance and
religious freedom as guaranteed by the Afghan Constitution, emphasizes the
necessity of investigating allegations of current and past violations, and stresses the
importance of facilitating the provision of efficient and effective remedies to the
victims and of bringing the perpetrators to justice in accordance with national and
international law;
51. Commends the Government of Afghanistan for its active participation in
the universal periodic review process, calls for continued active participation of
Afghan civil society in this process, and encourages the timely implementation of
the recommendations addressed in the relevant report;
52. Stresses the need to ensure respect for the right to freedom of expression
and the right to freedom of thought, conscience or belief as enshrined in the Afghan
Constitution, in this regard calls for full implementation of the mass media law,
while noting with concern and condemning the continuing intimidation and violence
targeting Afghan journalists, such as cases of abduction and even killing of
journalists by terrorist as well as extremist and criminal groups, and urges that
harassment and attacks on journalists be investigated by Afghan authorities and that
those responsible be brought to justice;
53. Reiterates the important role of the Afghan Independent Human Rights
Commission in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, stresses the need to guarantee its constitutional status and implement its
mandate, focusing on communities across Afghanistan, so as to foster a more
informed public and increase Government accountability, urges the Government of
Afghanistan to complete the appointment process of commissioners to the
Commission in a timely and transparent manner, welcomes the decision of the
Government to take full responsibility for the core funding of the Commission and
urges the Government to implement this decision, urges the Commission to
cooperate closely with Afghan civil society, and calls upon the international
community for continued support in this regard;
54. Recalls Security Council resolutions 1674 (2006) of 28 April 2006,
1738 (2006) of 23 December 2006 and 1894 (2009) of 11 November 2009 and the
midyear report of July 2012 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict,
prepared by the Assistance Mission, expresses its serious concern at the high
12