Afghan human rights abuses condemned by Human Rights Commission

AFP, April 23, 1999

GENEVA, April 23 (AFP) - The UN Human Rights Commission Friday condemned Afghanistan for persistent human rights abuses, in particular against women and girls.

A resolution adopted by consensus without a vote noted "widespread violations," including the rights to life, liberty and security of person, freedom from torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Women and girls in Afghanistan were subjected to all forms of discrimination, particularly in areas under the control of the Moslem extremist Taliban regime, the measure said.

The resolution urged all sides to bring an end "without delay" to these violations and repeal all discriminatory legislation.

The resolution also condemned the killing of Iranian diplomats and the correspondent of the Islamic Republic News Agency by Taliban combatants, as well as attacks on and the killing of UN personnel in Taliban-held territories of Afghanistan.

The commission members urged the Taliban to cooperate in "urgent investigations of these heinous crimes, with a view to bringing those responsible to justice."

The resolution also called on all Afghan parties to cease "immediately" hostilities and work with the special envoy of the UN secretary general "with a view to achieving a ceasefire."

It appealed to all sides to protect civilians, to halt the use of weapons against the civilian population, stop the laying of landmines, and to prohibit enlisting children in the hostilities.

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