Background

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan will present his findings on recent human rights developments in the country at the 57^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council and the 79^th Session of the UN General Assembly.  

Objectives

To inform the Special Rapporteur’s report to the General Assembly and oral update to the Human Rights Council, stakeholders are invited to provide information and documentation relevant to the human rights situation and in particular, the period from 1 January to 30 June 2024. The Special Rapporteur invites States, UN bodies, international organizations, civil society organizations, academics, victims’ groups, legal practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders to share information pertinent to the questions identified below.

Type of inputs sought

While weblinks to published research and analysis and additional documents can be included as part of the responses, the Special Rapporteur will focus on the analysis of the information included in the emailed form.   

Submitting individuals and organizations are encouraged to focus on describing their own research and analysis rather than summarizing the findings of others. It is not required to respond to all questions; rather, it is encouraged to address only those questions for which the submitter possesses pertinent information.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

1. Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, what are the key civil and political rights developments (e.g., right to life, freedom from torture, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, rights to due process and a fair trial) in Afghanistan (please specify province(s)where applicable)? If possible, please elaborate on how these developments affect women and girls, children, older people, people with disabilities and ethnic and religious minorities or other groups. Please indicate the source(s) of your statement. (500 words limit)
2. Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, what are the key economic, social and cultural rights developments (e.g. the rights to adequate food, to adequate housing, to education, to health, to social security, to take part in cultural life, to water and sanitation, and to work) in Afghanistan (please specify province(s) where applicable)? If possible, please elaborate on how these developments affect women and girls, children, older people, people with disabilities and ethnic and religious minorities or other groups. Please indicate the source(s) of your statement. (500 words limit)
3. What is your experience with access to basic services (such as education, healthcare, government administrative offices)? Have you experienced or directly witnessed someone else experience barriers to accessing basic services? What are the main barriers which prevent or otherwise or impede access to basic services? How does it affect women and girls, children, older people, people with disabilities, and people from ethnic and religious minorities or other groups? (500 words limit)
4. What is your experience with access to justice? Have you experienced or directly witnessed someone else experience barriers to accessing justice? What are the main barriers which prevent or otherwise impede access to justice? How does it affect women and girls, children, people with disabilities, and people from ethnic and religious minorities or other groups? (500 words limit)
5. What are your key concerns regarding the situation of children? Please provide key trends in terms of violations of child rights, including but not limited to, access to education, food and water, harmful practices, i.e. child, early and forced marriage, bacha bazi and forced labour.  What are the most pressings issues and how this can be changed/ remedied. (500 words limit)
6. How do violations of civil and political rights, as well as economic social and cultural rights perpetuate systematic injustice and what legal and policy remedies can be effectively implemented to address these issues on a national and international level. You can choose to send either a general response or choose a specific group mentioned in questions 1 &2. (500 words limit)
7. What specific measures may be taken to ensure that Afghan NGOs, CSOs, activists and HRDs, in particular women, children and youth as well as people from other marginalised and/or at-risk communities are better included in political and other decision-making processes? (500 words limit)

How inputs will be used?

Submissions will remain confidential. It should be noted that not all information sent to the Special Rapporteur will necessarily be reflected in the report.