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Samar faults recent AIHRC appointments

Samar faults recent AIHRC appointments

author avatar
1 Jul 2013 - 17:54
Samar faults recent AIHRC appointments
author avatar
1 Jul 2013 - 17:54

KABUL Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) chief on Monday acknowledged fresh appointments to the watchdog did not meet the UN-set conditions and qualifications for the UN, so the commission might loss its credibility.

After a delay of more than 18 months, President Hamid Karzai appointed on June 16 five new commissioners to AIHRC and retained four other serving members, including its chairperson Sima Samar.

The appointments were not in line with the criteria of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Samar told Pajhwok Afghan News. The council supervised human rights institutions across the world and by the benchmarks it had set, she said.

“Violations of UNHRC rules and regulations are neither in the interest of Afghanistan nor acceptable globally,” she remarked, while stressing the need for adherence to the prescribed standards.

Established in accordance with the Bonn Agreement of 2001 and codified in the constitution, the AIHRC is the main government institution responsible for promoting human rights.

Although the commission is a government body, with commissioners appointed by the president, it is independent by law.

The new commissioners appointed by Karzai are Abdul Rahman Hotak, Qadriya Yazdan Parast, Ayub Asil and Hawa Alam Nuristani.

Three days back, the UN human rights chief warned the appointments compromised AIHRC independence and effectiveness and undermined its high standing with the public and international partners.

Under the AIHRC’s founding law, commissioners are required to have a good reputation, demonstrate independence, enjoy popular trust and have a commitment to human rights, Navi Pillay said.

“Serious concerns have been raised whether the new commissioners meet these important eligibility standards. I am alarmed by statements of civil society leaders about the recent appointments…” she added.

Pillay urged the government to reconsider the appointments and reopen the selection process in accordance with the requirements of the AIHRC law and the Paris Principles.

myn/mud

 

 

 

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