Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

statement532

Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 18th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Afghanistan
Statement by Australia
27 January 2014

We acknowledge the progress made by Afghanistan in strengthening women’s rights with the passing of the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women Law but Australia recommends that Afghanistan take action to fully implement and enforce this law. Australia also recommends that Afghanistan finalise and implement a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Australia is concerned that the Afghan Government has not provided the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) with the support it requires. Australia recommends Afghanistan commit to actions that strengthen the capacity of the AIHRC, including providing adequate funding and reviewing the Law on the Structure, Duties and Mandate of the AIHRC to ensure alignment with the Paris Principles.

We also recommend that Afghanistan establish a moratorium on executions with a view to removing the death penalty from its criminal statutes and ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.