ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN OPERATIONALIZING THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE MECHANISM FOR AFGHANISTAN (IIMA)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The side event examined the role of Afghan civil society in operationalizing the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan (IIMA) during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. The discussion brought together civil society representatives, human rights experts, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and an audience participant to consider how the mechanism can contribute to documentation, accountability, victim support, and a broader transitional justice process.

Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasized that the establishment of the mechanism should be understood as the beginning of a longer-term process. Its credibility and effectiveness were linked to its independence and transparency, as well as to meaningful and sustained civil society participation, victim- and survivor-centered approaches, the protection of human rights defenders, accessibility, and coordination with existing documentation and accountability efforts.

Speakers also stressed that justice in Afghanistan cannot be reduced to criminal prosecution alone. The discussion highlighted the need to address the country’s longer history of conflict and multiple forms of harm, including gender-based violence and socioeconomic consequences. It also underscored the importance of reparations, truth-seeking, guarantees of non-recurrence, and the meaningful inclusion of marginalized communities.