KABUL - Addressing a special gathering in Kabul under the theme "future of human rights in Afghanistan" the Chief Executive Officer of the National Unity Government (NUG) Abdullah Abdullah on Wednesday said that he was not satisfied with the performance of the government over the past few months, adding that justice was also not being implemented in the judicial system.
"As part of the government, I am not at all satisfied with government's performance. It has been negligent," Abdullah said.
In addition, Abdullah highlighted the deficiencies currently facing the legal and judicial institutions in Afghanistan.
"Are we satisfied, when a person consults the judicial system and justice does not prevail? Of course not!" Abdullah added.
The NUG believes that without respecting human rights and maintaining justice in its true spirit, it will be impossible to move the country toward longstanding peace and stability. An issue which the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has always stressed.
"The National Unity Government must undertake inclusive and effective programs and initiatives to strengthen human rights, because the achievements gained are at risk," AIHRC chairperson Sima Samar said.
Meanwhile, the UN special representative in Afghanistan Nicholas Haysam on Wednesday said at the same event that the NGU must not undermine human rights during the peace negotiation process and that it must consider women's rights in the talks.
"We believe our support of Afghan human rights institutions, notably the AIHRC, is as important as any other human rights advocacy work UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) undertakes. The future of human rights protection rests ultimately with Afghans not with the international community," Haysam said.
The Afghanistan High Peace Council HPC has also given its assurance that it will not compromise on women's rights while conducting talks with the Taliban.
"Women will be part of the process, they will be engaged in talks from the beginning and the women's role will not just be symbolic," HPC secretary Masoom Stanikizai said.
Following the increase in security incidents post-2006, matters such as human rights were sidelined. In line with this, human rights organizations have continued to call on government to protect the achievements made in the country in the human rights arena. (Tolonews)