Kabul, EU agree on deliverables to improve human rights situation

KABUL, the union’s delegation in Kabul said on Thursday.

The dialogue on Wednesday covered actions from the Afghan government within areas like women and children’s enjoyment of human rights, torture, access to justice, freedom of expression and the rights of socially vulnerable and persons with disabilities, the EU delegation to Afghanistan said in a statement, calling the dialogue as successful.

“We had a great dialogue with the Afghan government yesterday. I was very encouraged by the engagement of the government as well as from the European Union member states taking part in the dialogue,” EU Special Representative to Afghanistan Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin said.

He said the EU was met with openness and honesty from the Afghan side,  also on the really difficult human rights issue that the Afghan people were confronted with. “I commend the government for its strong commitment to improve human rights for the Afghan people,” he said.

“The outcome from the dialogue contributes in a strong way to set the scene for the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan to be held in October. Mellbin added.

“Here we will have a separate side event on empowerment of women in Afghanistan. Our dialogue yesterday confirmed the commitment of the government to the implementation of NAP 1325. Now it is for the government to deliver strong progress – the more tangible results, they can present when we meet in Brussels..”

He said the EU would follow up on the agreed deliverables on an ongoing basis and would meet with the Afghan government to review the progress in the end of November.

The next human rights dialogue between Afghanistan and the European Union is planned to be held in Kabul in 2017.

pr/ma

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