Security Council Open Debate on UNAMA

For that reason, we wish to express our satisfaction with the fact that the UNAMA mandate that we have renewed today maintains its basic features, including the Mission's role with regard to elections at the request of the Afghan authorities, and the emphasis on the protection of civilians and the monitoring of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Afghanistan, in particular with regard to women and children. In the light of the most recent report of the Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict (S/2013/149), we also welcome the fact that resolution 2096 (2013) continues to underscore the importance of implementing resolution 1325 (2000) and the subsequent resolutions on women and peace and security.

Thirdly, economic transition and aid delivery will be crucial for the sustainability of the transition. That requires the commitment of the international community in supporting our self-reliance strategy through the transformation decade. The Tokyo Conference in July was about not letting the drawdown of international combat forces affect Afghanistan's strides towards stability and prosperity. It will be important to see how the realization of the mutual commitments made in Tokyo will help us to address humanitarian and development challenges, which is essential not only for stability but also for sustainability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is committed to upholding the agreements made in Tokyo, which include commitments in the areas of equitable elections; good governance and the rule of law; human rights, including women's rights; and inclusive and sustainable development. We look forward to continuing to work with our international partners on the basis of the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework.

Human rights, particularly women's rights, are the cornerstone of Afghanistan's development. To that end, Finland will continue its cooperation with Afghanistan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.

Canada welcomes the progress made in recent months in the peace and reconciliation process. We reiterate our insistence that women's rights not be forsaken for the sake of stability, as well as our support for an Afghan-led and -owned process. More can and should be done to ensure that the opponents of peace do not derail the reconciliation process through acts of terrorism.

In our development projects, Estonia pays extra attention to promoting women's rights and the well-being of children, as they are the most vulnerable groups. We believe that traditions or beliefs should never be used as a pretext for gender inequality and non-recognition of women's rights. At the recent session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Estonian Foreign Minister, Mr. Urmas Paet, strongly condemned all kinds of violence against women and girls. We hope that the adoption of the agreed conclusions of the Commission will give further impetus to combating violence against women and girls in Afghanistan. Estonia calls for the effective and swift implementation of the action plan for the prevention of underage recruitment and its annexes on killing and maiming and sexual violence against children.

We urge the United Nations to continue its support for systematic monitoring and reporting on the gender commitments contained in the Tokyo Declaration and Mutual Accountability Framework.

The falling number of casualties can be attributed in part to the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Programme, which continues its roll-out, and to the significant role of the High Peace Council. By late December 2012, more than 6,000 combatants had joined the programme with the aim of laying down their arms and joining the Afghan National Army. In that context, the High Peace Council continues to strive to establish conditions conducive to reconciliation by launching direct dialogue with representatives of civil society, women's groups, religious leaders and political figures.

With regard to the preparations for the elections, we join the Secretary-General's call in his report urging the parties concerned to adopt a constructive attitude in order to avoid a deadlock, whose consequences would be severe. More generally, as noted by several speakers this morning, it is important to ensure broad participation and to put in place a credible and transparent electoral mechanism, so as to ensure that the outcome of the elections is widely acknowledged and accepted by the population. In that regard, it is essential that women can safely participate as voters and candidates alike in the upcoming elections.

Ever since the overthrow of the Taliban, there have been important gains in strengthening human rights and the rule of law. Nevertheless, a lot remains to be done, and no backsliding can be allowed. Afghan citizens, in particular women, still face insecurity in public spaces and at home, as well as a lack of access to an effective and fair justice system and legal representation.

Canada encourages the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Afghan Government to press forward with the strengthening of the electoral process. We note with concern that the likelihood of irregularities and fraud remains high and must be mitigated well in advance of elections. It is essential, in our view, that the democratic opposition be able to exercise its full rights, as prescribed by the Constitution and as affirmed by Afghans themselves. To that end, we encourage the Government to ensure that the process is transparent and inclusive. We welcome the upcoming debate within the Afghan Parliament to finalize the electoral and IEC structure laws, and we remain committed to working with the Government of Afghanistan's executive and legislative branches to ensure that the voices of all Afghan citizens, including women, will be heard and honoured.

Afghanistan today remains a proud Muslim society with more women now serving in the Afghan National Assembly than in many democracies. Access to education is getting closer to being universal. Under the Taliban, fewer than 1 million children, almost all of them boys, were in school. Now more than 8 million children go to school, and more than a third of them are girls.

My second point is on the situation of women and girls. We appreciate the commitment of the Afghan Government to empowering women and ensuring gender equality. Post-Taliban Afghanistan has seen the appointment of the first female district governor, Saira Shakeeb Sadat. Women are asserting themselves as ministers and members of Parliament and of the High Peace Council. We welcome these developments and reiterate that women's full participation in the reconciliation and transformation processes is essential for the construction of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

On that point we cannot fail to express concern over the number of civilian victims caused by the conflict, which, while less than recorded in 2012, continues to be unacceptable. The rise in the number of deliberate attacks against civilians merely because they are believed to support the Government is particularly alarming, as is the increase in the number of women and children killed or injured in that same period. All parties, in particular the anti-Government forces, responsible for most of the victims, should take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of civilians and to fulfil their obligations under international law.

For that reason, we wish to express our satisfaction with the fact that the UNAMA mandate that we have renewed today maintains its basic features, including the Mission's role with regard to elections at the request of the Afghan authorities, and the emphasis on the protection of civilians and the monitoring of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Afghanistan, in particular with regard to women and children. In the light of the most recent report of the Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict (S/2013/149), we also welcome the fact that resolution 2096 (2013) continues to underscore the importance of implementing resolution 1325 (2000) and the subsequent resolutions on women and peace and security.

Advancing the opportunities for women and girls in Afghanistan will remain a major priority for Australia. We very much welcome the references in resolution 2096 (2013), on UNAMA, to the need for measurable objectives to secure the rights of women and girls, as well as the need to counter discrimination. We condemn absolutely all forms of violence against women and girls.

On that point we cannot fail to express concern over the number of civilian victims caused by the conflict, which, while less than recorded in 2012, continues to be unacceptable. The rise in the number of deliberate attacks against civilians merely because they are believed to support the Government is particularly alarming, as is the increase in the number of women and children killed or injured in that same period. All parties, in particular the anti-Government forces, responsible for most of the victims, should take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of civilians and to fulfil their obligations under international law.

For that reason, we wish to express our satisfaction with the fact that the UNAMA mandate that we have renewed today maintains its basic features, including the Mission's role with regard to elections at the request of the Afghan authorities, and the emphasis on the protection of civilians and the monitoring of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Afghanistan, in particular with regard to women and children. In the light of the most recent report of the Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict (S/2013/149), we also welcome the fact that resolution 2096 (2013) continues to underscore the importance of implementing resolution 1325 (2000) and the subsequent resolutions on women and peace and security.

We are equally concerned about the human rights situation, in particular as it pertains to violence against women. We note, by way of example, the assassination in December 2012 of the Acting Director of the Department of Women Affairs in Laghman Province, which was the second assassination of the incumbent there in less than five months. We also note a 20 per cent increase in the number of women and girls killed or wounded over the past year. Nevertheless, we welcome the work of the United Nations Population Fund, UN-Women and the World Health Organization. Thanks to their support, an intake system has been established for treating victims of sexual violence and providing care for them.

We welcome the decline in the number of civilian casualties in 2012, the first such decline in six years. The international forces and Afghan authorities have made progress in minimizing the risk of civilian casualties. However, we are deeply concerned that women, girls and children continue to suffer enormously, including through the use of children as suicide bombers and the targeted killings of women.

However, we remain concerned about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the violence against women. In that regard, however, we need to view the situation from a historical perspective and to remember what was the condition of women during the Taliban regime. We are encouraged by the resolve of the Afghan Government in implementing the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women in Afghanistan. We call upon the international community to continue its support in that regard.

However, elections alone do not make a vibrant, inclusive and democratic society; the Government of Afghanistan must also deliver on its rule of law and human rights commitments. UNAMA's most recent report on the elimination of violence against women noted that there remained a disturbing under-reporting of incidents of violence against women, and a lack of serious investigation into credible allegations. More needs to be done to implement the important provisions of that law. More must be done to uphold the integrity of the relationship between Afghan women and their laws. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission is essential for the defence of these rights, among others, and the Government of Afghanistan must move forward with the appointment of commissioners. We caution and stress that those appointments should be merit-based, transparent and inclusive, lest the Government be seen to actively subvert the Afghan people and their emerging democracy.

In our development projects, Estonia pays extra attention to promoting women's rights and the well-being of children, as they are the most vulnerable groups. We believe that traditions or beliefs should never be used as a pretext for gender inequality and non-recognition of women's rights. At the recent session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Estonian Foreign Minister, Mr. Urmas Paet, strongly condemned all kinds of violence against women and girls. We hope that the adoption of the agreed conclusions of the Commission will give further impetus to combating violence against women and girls in Afghanistan. Estonia calls for the effective and swift implementation of the action plan for the prevention of underage recruitment and its annexes on killing and maiming and sexual violence against children.

Much more needs to be done, however. Every two hours, a woman dies from pregnancy-related causes. Domestic violence against women and the imprisonment of women for alleged moral crimes are a cause of concern, as is the number of women and girls killed or injured during the past year, which increased considerably.

We are equally concerned about the human rights situation, in particular as it pertains to violence against women. We note, by way of example, the assassination in December 2012 of the Acting Director of the Department of Women Affairs in Laghman Province, which was the second assassination of the incumbent there in less than five months. We also note a 20 per cent increase in the number of women and girls killed or wounded over the past year. Nevertheless, we welcome the work of the United Nations Population Fund, UN-Women and the World Health Organization. Thanks to their support, an intake system has been established for treating victims of sexual violence and providing care for them.

However, we remain concerned about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the violence against women. In that regard, however, we need to view the situation from a historical perspective and to remember what was the condition of women during the Taliban regime. We are encouraged by the resolve of the Afghan Government in implementing the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women in Afghanistan. We call upon the international community to continue its support in that regard.

Human rights is the third, and final, point I would like to address. Let us not forget that Afghanistan is first and foremost a country of more than 30 million people who yearn for a normal life for themselves and their families, including respect of their fundamental rights. In that context, we welcome the important place that is made in the mandate of UNAMA for human rights in general, and for the rights of women and children in particular.

We see a strong need for a dynamic UNAMA in the years to come. UNAMA should continue to use its good offices and its political outreach in support of Afghan-led political processes. It should also continue to promote human rights, including the rights of women and children, and support the strengthening of the capacity of Afghan institutions.

Human rights, particularly women's rights, are the cornerstone of Afghanistan's development. To that end, Finland will continue its cooperation with Afghanistan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.

Ever since the overthrow of the Taliban, there have been important gains in strengthening human rights and the rule of law. Nevertheless, a lot remains to be done, and no backsliding can be allowed. Afghan citizens, in particular women, still face insecurity in public spaces and at home, as well as a lack of access to an effective and fair justice system and legal representation.

However, elections alone do not make a vibrant, inclusive and democratic society; the Government of Afghanistan must also deliver on its rule of law and human rights commitments. UNAMA's most recent report on the elimination of violence against women noted that there remained a disturbing under-reporting of incidents of violence against women, and a lack of serious investigation into credible allegations. More needs to be done to implement the important provisions of that law. More must be done to uphold the integrity of the relationship between Afghan women and their laws. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission is essential for the defence of these rights, among others, and the Government of Afghanistan must move forward with the appointment of commissioners. We caution and stress that those appointments should be merit-based, transparent and inclusive, lest the Government be seen to actively subvert the Afghan people and their emerging democracy.

Despite the difficulties inherent in the complex peace process, recent progress permits us to hope for a possible relaunch of dialogue towards sustainable and inclusive reconciliation. For that to be successful, it should involve the armed groups and all sectors of Afghan society in a context of respect for the Afghan Constitution, especially when it comes to human rights, in particular those of women and girls.

I would like to conclude by underlining that the United Nations will continue to play a crucial role, both in the year to come and during the transformation decade. We therefore welcome the Council's adoption of resolution 2096 (2013), which renews UNAMA's mandate for another 12 months. Germany will continue to support UNAMA in fulfilling its mandate, particularly in its support for the Afghan Government and in preparing for the presidential elections, in protecting and promoting human rights, particularly women's rights, and in ensuring effective coordination among donors and the Government of Afghanistan. In order for UNAMA to live up to those expectations, we strongly support providing adequate resources for the Mission and its appropriate presence throughout the country.

In our development projects, Estonia pays extra attention to promoting women's rights and the well-being of children, as they are the most vulnerable groups. We believe that traditions or beliefs should never be used as a pretext for gender inequality and non-recognition of women's rights. At the recent session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Estonian Foreign Minister, Mr. Urmas Paet, strongly condemned all kinds of violence against women and girls. We hope that the adoption of the agreed conclusions of the Commission will give further impetus to combating violence against women and girls in Afghanistan. Estonia calls for the effective and swift implementation of the action plan for the prevention of underage recruitment and its annexes on killing and maiming and sexual violence against children.

Despite those positive signs, major political, economic and security challenges remain. The security situation continues to be a matter of grave concern, leading to unacceptable human costs. Natural disasters, chronic poverty and development challenges pose grave threats. The most vulnerable segments of society, especially children, women and girls, are under heightened risk. The potential humanitarian and economic consequences of transition are worrisome.

However, we remain concerned about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the violence against women. In that regard, however, we need to view the situation from a historical perspective and to remember what was the condition of women during the Taliban regime. We are encouraged by the resolve of the Afghan Government in implementing the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women in Afghanistan. We call upon the international community to continue its support in that regard.

Ever since the overthrow of the Taliban, there have been important gains in strengthening human rights and the rule of law. Nevertheless, a lot remains to be done, and no backsliding can be allowed. Afghan citizens, in particular women, still face insecurity in public spaces and at home, as well as a lack of access to an effective and fair justice system and legal representation.

However, elections alone do not make a vibrant, inclusive and democratic society; the Government of Afghanistan must also deliver on its rule of law and human rights commitments. UNAMA's most recent report on the elimination of violence against women noted that there remained a disturbing under-reporting of incidents of violence against women, and a lack of serious investigation into credible allegations. More needs to be done to implement the important provisions of that law. More must be done to uphold the integrity of the relationship between Afghan women and their laws. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission is essential for the defence of these rights, among others, and the Government of Afghanistan must move forward with the appointment of commissioners. We caution and stress that those appointments should be merit-based, transparent and inclusive, lest the Government be seen to actively subvert the Afghan people and their emerging democracy.

With regard to the preparations for the elections, we join the Secretary-General's call in his report urging the parties concerned to adopt a constructive attitude in order to avoid a deadlock, whose consequences would be severe. More generally, as noted by several speakers this morning, it is important to ensure broad participation and to put in place a credible and transparent electoral mechanism, so as to ensure that the outcome of the elections is widely acknowledged and accepted by the population. In that regard, it is essential that women can safely participate as voters and candidates alike in the upcoming elections.

The Afghan people are keenly focused on a successful political transition, and all eyes are on the election next spring. The Government of Afghanistan is committed to fair, democratic, transparent and inclusive elections in which the men and women of Afghanistan will again shape their political future. Preparations for the elections are well under way. There is an overwhelming consensus that a successful and credible election will be necessary for stability and lasting peace.

Canada encourages the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Afghan Government to press forward with the strengthening of the electoral process. We note with concern that the likelihood of irregularities and fraud remains high and must be mitigated well in advance of elections. It is essential, in our view, that the democratic opposition be able to exercise its full rights, as prescribed by the Constitution and as affirmed by Afghans themselves. To that end, we encourage the Government to ensure that the process is transparent and inclusive. We welcome the upcoming debate within the Afghan Parliament to finalize the electoral and IEC structure laws, and we remain committed to working with the Government of Afghanistan's executive and legislative branches to ensure that the voices of all Afghan citizens, including women, will be heard and honoured.

However, elections alone do not make a vibrant, inclusive and democratic society; the Government of Afghanistan must also deliver on its rule of law and human rights commitments. UNAMA's most recent report on the elimination of violence against women noted that there remained a disturbing under-reporting of incidents of violence against women, and a lack of serious investigation into credible allegations. More needs to be done to implement the important provisions of that law. More must be done to uphold the integrity of the relationship between Afghan women and their laws. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission is essential for the defence of these rights, among others, and the Government of Afghanistan must move forward with the appointment of commissioners. We caution and stress that those appointments should be merit-based, transparent and inclusive, lest the Government be seen to actively subvert the Afghan people and their emerging democracy.

The falling number of casualties can be attributed in part to the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Programme, which continues its roll-out, and to the significant role of the High Peace Council. By late December 2012, more than 6,000 combatants had joined the programme with the aim of laying down their arms and joining the Afghan National Army. In that context, the High Peace Council continues to strive to establish conditions conducive to reconciliation by launching direct dialogue with representatives of civil society, women's groups, religious leaders and political figures.