Een hoge medewerker van het VN-kantoor voor de Mensenrechten heeft opgeroepen om een controversiële amnestie wet in Afghanistan te herzien. De Verzoeningswet gaat om een pardon en immuniteit voor leden van gewapende facties die voor december 2001 acties hebben bedreven.
TOP UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL IN AFGHANISTAN CALLS FOR REPEAL OF AMNESTY LAW
The United Nations human rights office in Afghanistan today called for the repeal of a controversial amnesty law in the Asian country, saying that it green-lights impunity for serious crimes and continued rights violations.
“This law relieves Afghan authorities of their obligation to investigate and prosecute, on their own initiative, those allegedly responsible for gross violations of human rights,” Norah Niland, the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told journalists today in Kabul.
“The law is likely to undermine efforts to secure genuine reconciliation, which is of course about bringing together different elements of a fractured society,” Ms. Niland added.
In 2007, Afghanistan’s Parliament approved the Reconciliation and General Amnesty Law, which provides blanket immunity and pardons former members of Afghanistan’s armed factions for actions committed prior to December 2001.
The UN has a global position that blanket amnesties are troubling, Ms. Niland said, because they prevent a country from dealing with the past and moving out of a crisis.
Asked if she supported repealing the law, Ms. Niland said: “The answer is the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Afghan civil society and human rights NGOs [non-governmental organizations] in and outside of the country have asked that the law be repealed.”
Ms. Niland also criticized the Shi’a personal status law – parts of which appear to sanction rape within the marriage – saying it “legitimized discriminatory practices against women.”
Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, met today with representatives from Hezb-e-Islami, a political party in Afghanistan.
The meeting was held in consultation with President Hamid Karzai and in accordance with the expanded mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which gives the operation a wider supporting role in preparation for parliamentary elections slated for September.
Mr. de Mistura indicated that the ongoing discussions with Afghan authorities further underscored the importance of Afghan-led dialogue to bring stability to this country.
UNAMA said in a pres release following the visit that the UN, as per its traditional role and expertise, will always be available to assist Afghans to find proper avenues for pursuing constructive political dialogue.
(VN: Mar 25 2010)
Posts tonen met het label Norah Niland. Alle posts tonen
Posts tonen met het label Norah Niland. Alle posts tonen
donderdag 25 maart 2010
dinsdag 26 augustus 2008
Two individuals convicted in 2006 for the rape released early from detention
The head of UNAMA's human rights unit has expressed deep concern that two individuals convicted in 2006 for the rape of a woman in Samangan province in northern Afghanistan have been released early from detention.
"This sends the wrong message to other perpetrators of violent crimes against women, that they will not be held accountable for their actions," said Norah Niland, adding that "there can be no peace in Afghanistan without justice."
Ms. Niland noted that the 11-year prison sentence against the perpetrators was upheld by the Court of Appeal and confirmed by the Afghan Supreme Court.
However, the two men were subsequently released from incarceration after serving "a fraction of their sentence" and are now back in the neighbourhood where the crime was perpetrated and where the victim and her family continue to live.
"While there appears to be conflicting reports on the circumstances of the release of these prisoners, whatever the circumstances, this is clearly an injustice against the victim, the victims' family and all Afghan women," Ms. Niland stated. "Such injustice can only promote a culture of impunity for violence perpetrated against women."
She welcomed the intention by the Afghan authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release and urged them take all appropriate measures to ensure that justice is done and the rights of Afghan women are protected.
"This sends the wrong message to other perpetrators of violent crimes against women, that they will not be held accountable for their actions," said Norah Niland, adding that "there can be no peace in Afghanistan without justice."
Ms. Niland noted that the 11-year prison sentence against the perpetrators was upheld by the Court of Appeal and confirmed by the Afghan Supreme Court.
However, the two men were subsequently released from incarceration after serving "a fraction of their sentence" and are now back in the neighbourhood where the crime was perpetrated and where the victim and her family continue to live.
"While there appears to be conflicting reports on the circumstances of the release of these prisoners, whatever the circumstances, this is clearly an injustice against the victim, the victims' family and all Afghan women," Ms. Niland stated. "Such injustice can only promote a culture of impunity for violence perpetrated against women."
She welcomed the intention by the Afghan authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release and urged them take all appropriate measures to ensure that justice is done and the rights of Afghan women are protected.
Abonneren op:
Posts (Atom)