UN for transparent HR commissioners’ appointment

KABUL body’s mission in the country said on Tuesday.

The five-year office terms of nine AIHRC commissioners expired on December 16, with discussions ongoing to appoint new commissioners.

In a statement, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the government of Afghanistan has the primary responsibility to preserve the independence, integrity and legitimacy of the AIHRC, including through the appointment of commissioners, in accordance with Afghanistan’s laws.

“Afghan law requires the government to uphold international standards of pluralism, transparency, diversity and consultation in the appointment process,” the statement said.

It said “under Article 7 of the Law on the Structure, Duties and Mandate of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, the President of Afghanistan shall appoint commissioners with relevant academic background and experience in the field of human rights, and who are impartial, independent and committed to human rights.”

The United Nations and the international community supported an inclusive and genuinely consultative appointment process, the mission said. “This will allow the President to appoint qualified commissioners that reflect Afghan society’s diversity in ethnicity, religion, language, region and gender and who represent politically and economically disadvantaged groups.”

The United Nations and the international community stand ready to assist and support an Afghan-led appointment process, it said.

pr/ma

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