Afghanistan peace process must put human rights at its heart, Amnesty International said on Saturday ahead of the signing of deal between the United States and the Taliban.
“Despite many serious and ongoing challenges, Afghanistan has made significant human rights achievements on different fronts that must be protected and should not be reversed,” Amnesty International’s South Asia Researcher, Zaman Sultani, said.
“These include the right to walk the streets freely, without civilians being killed or injured. The right of women to leave their homes, work and marry freely without discrimination,” Sultani continued. “The right of teachers to work and the right of children, especially girls, to get an education. The rights of journalists and human rights defenders to express themselves freely and carry out their important work without fear of reprisals.”
Sultani added that the peace process must not ignore the voice of victims.
“It must not disregard their calls for justice, truth and reparation for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations and abuses – committed by all sides in the conflict,” Sultani said. “It must also guarantee the rights of women and girls, and the rights of religious minorities in Afghanistan.”
