Author: Sayed Hussain Hussainy

Civils Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN)Position PaperforBrussels Conference on Afghanistan (Oct 4-5) Hassan Ali FaizBackgroundThe 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan, lays strong foundation for protection and promotion of human rights and sets up institutional mechanisms to ensure their protection. Article 58 of the Constitution establishes the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. Afghanistan is also signatory to seven of nine core international human rights treaties in addition to Rome Statute.Afghanistan has had several distinct human rights achievements in the past fourteen years but with the ongoing security, economic and political transformation - which will have impact on human rights - the hard-won gains are more fragile than ever. If these achievements are not consolidated, it is feared that they may roll back as the overall human rights situation is deteriorating on several fronts.There are clear indications of declining respect for human rights. Alarming level of women rights violations, deteriorating security situation, recurring impunity of abusers, growing corruption, and weakened efficacy of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission indicate waning determination on the part of the government of Afghanistan to respect, protect and fulfill human rights.The most significant human rights problems in Afghanistan include among others, violence against women, civilian casualties, torture and arbitrary detention, abusive security forces, freedom of expression and press; discrimination and internal displacements.………………………………………………Read The PDF

 In the Name of Almighty AllahCSHRN's statement regarding the martyrdom of Tolo TV's staffJanuary 21, 2016Kabul-AfghanistanUnfortunately, the vampire terrorists caused a disaster once again and showed-off their anti-human and anti-Islamic nature. The tragic disaster of Tolo TV brought into grief many families, media and the people of Afghanistan.The Civil Society and Human Rights Network of Afghanistan (CSHRN) besides strongly condemning this unforgivable terrorist attack on the employees of Tolo TV & Kaboora production, considers it an attack on the freedom of expression, Islamic norms and international principles in relation to human rights and international humanitarian law and an explicit crime against humanity.The terrorists should realize that they will get nothing more, but the hate and disgust of the Afghan people and the world for doing such terrorist acts. The Afghan media, civil society and the people of Afghanistan will stand firm against such terrorist attacks.CSHRN requests the Afghan government to as soon as possible recognize the perpetrators of this terrible disaster and submit them to the judicial bodies. In addition, the Afghan government should ensure the safety of the journalists in the country.Unfortunately, there are still some countries that use the terrorist groups as a tool of challenging the peace, stability and security of the region, hence, we repeatedly ask the United Nations and the whole stabilized world to put the required pressure on the regional supporters of terrorism and assist the defenseless people of Afghanistan as per the charter of the United Nations and other International obligations.At the end, once again we express our deepest sympathy with the survivors of the martyrs, the Afghan media community and the suffering people of Afghanistan. We hope paradise for the martyrs of this deadly attack and soon recovery for the wounded ones.In Hope of a free-from terror Afghanistan!

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia), is the secretariat of the Asia NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI). ANNI has 31 member organizations across Asia working towards the strengthening of NHRIs. ANNI - in accordance with ANNI Reporting Guidelines that were collectively formulated by the ANNI members - launches annual report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Asia. The Report primarily focuses on issues of independence and effectiveness of the NHRIs and their engagement with other stakeholders such as civil society. For the first time, in 2014, the Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN) submitted a report on the performance and establishment of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) The AIHRC as a Constitutional body, has performed commendably amidst a challenging socio-political and security environment during the past one decade. The recent direct appointment of new commissioners by the President has explicitly undermined its independence and effectiveness. The Afghanistan's chapter of the report looks into Independence, Effectiveness and Accountability of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. Read The PDF