A/RES/70/77 The situation in Afghanistan 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, and also stresses the importance of countering violent extremism in a comprehensive way, recognizing the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan in this respect; 39. Acknowledges and encourages the efforts made by the Government of Afghanistan in promoting respect for human rights, expresses its concern at the destructive consequences of violent and terrorist activities, including against persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, by the Taliban, including the Haqqani Network, 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 to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Afghans, notes with concern reports of incidents in which violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law have occurred, including violations and abuses committed against women and chi ldren, in particular girls, stresses the need to further promote tolerance and religious freedom and to ensure respect for the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of thought, conscience or belief in accordance with the Afghan Constituti on and the international covenants that Afghanistan adheres to, emphasizes the necessity of investigating allegations of current and past violations and abuses, stresses the importance of facilitating the provision of efficient and effective remedies to th e victims and of bringing the perpetrators to justice in accordance with national and international law, calls for full implementation of the mass media law, while noting with concern and condemning the continuing intimidation and violence targeting Afghan media and journalists, such as recent warnings by the Taliban to two private television stations and cases of abduction and even the killing of journalists by terrorist and extremist and criminal groups, and urges that harassment and attacks on media outlets and journalists be investigated by Afghan authorities and that those responsible be brought to justice; 40. Commends the Government of Afghanistan for its active participation in the universal periodic review process, calls for continued active partic ipation of Afghan civil society in this process, and encourages the timely implementation of the recommendations addressed in the relevant report; 41. 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, emphasizes the importance of the Government of Afghanistan’s reaffirmation of its commitment to maintaining the standards regarding Human Rights Commissioners in accordance with article 11 of the law on the Commission and the Paris Principles 10 to retaining the Commission’s “A” status, welcomes the decision of the Government to take full responsibility for the core funding of the Commission, 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; _______________ 10 12/24 Resolution 48/134, annex.

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