UN cautions against compromise on rights

KABUL groups and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) in developing and promoting local roadmaps for peace.

As part of the civil society-led Afghan People’s Dialogue for Peace initiative conducted over the past three years, some 6,000 Afghans from all walks of life shared their grievances and aspirations, identified the main drivers of conflict and proposed solutions to achieve sustainable and just peace.

As a result, Afghan civil society organisations and the AIHRC produced 34 provincial-level roadmaps for peace. A national conference held on January 15 in Kabul presented 12 of the local roadmaps and provided an important chance to develop advocacy strategies so that policymakers act upon their findings.

UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Nicholas Haysom called the conference a unique opportunity for civil society to develop advocacy plans to ensure that the voice of the Afghan people was heard.

In a statement, he said: “This advocacy could not be more important or timely. The United Nations stands ready to support this in any way it can.”

Participants highlighted the need for strengthening security institutions, promoting responsive state institutions, ending corruption, promoting human rights and women’s rights, rule of law and tackling impunity, disarming illegal armed groups and providing employment opportunities to the youth.

“In peace and reconciliation processes, UNAMA is firm that human rights must not be sacrificed and that women must play a strong and active role in any peace negotiations – both are critical for a sustainable peace,” said Haysom. “The youth of Afghanistan are the country’s future and their views must also be heard.”

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