A/RES/61/18 commends the Government of Afghanistan for its efforts in this regard, and encourages it to continue efforts in cooperation with the United Nations; 13. Expresses its concern about the recruitment and use of child soldiers by illegal armed groups in Afghanistan, reiterates the importance of ending the use of children contrary to international law, and welcomes the accession by Afghanistan to the Convention on the Rights of the Child 7 and the two optional protocols thereto; 8 14. Urges the Government of Afghanistan to meet its responsibilities under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, 9 to cooperate fully with the mine action programme coordinated by the United Nations, and to eliminate all existing stocks of anti-personnel landmines; 15. Recognizes the completion of the establishment of democratic institutions according to the Bonn process, notes the challenges lying ahead identified in the Afghanistan Compact,1 and calls upon the international community to continue to provide sustained support; 16. Notes with concern the negative impact of the security situation on the enjoyment of human rights, and calls for all parties to fully respect human rights and international humanitarian law throughout Afghanistan and, with the assistance of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and of the Assistance Mission, to fully implement the human rights provisions of the new Afghan Constitution, and commends the commitment of the Government of Afghanistan in this respect; 17. 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; 18. Stresses the need to ensure respect for the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of thought, conscience or belief; 19. Continues to emphasize the necessity of investigating allegations of current and past violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law, including violations committed against persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, as well as against women and girls, of facilitating the provision of efficient and effective remedies to the victims and of bringing the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international law; 20. 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 expand its range of operation in all parts of Afghanistan in accordance with the Afghan Constitution, welcomes the adoption by the Government of Afghanistan of the Action Plan on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation, and stresses the importance of judicial accountability of human rights offenders in accordance with national and international law; 21. Recalls Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security, commends the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to mainstream _______________ 7 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1577, No. 27531. Ibid., vol. 2171, No. 27531; and ibid., vol. 2173, No. 27531. 9 Ibid., vol. 2056, No. 35597. 8 6