A/HRC/10/23 page 18 discriminatory practices are prioritized. Means to collect and analyse disaggregated data to measure progress in poverty reduction for groups vulnerable to discrimination must accompany measures to ensure their participation in processes ostensibly designed for their benefit. The Government of Afghanistan, with the support of the international community, should ensure the prompt establishment of the proposed Human Rights Unit in the Ministry of Justice to coordinate these efforts, and dedicate adequate resources to ensure its long-term sustainability; (b) Pro-Government forces and anti-Government elements should ensure greater respect for the protection of civilians, including women and children. Investigations and, where appropriate, prosecutions should be carried out swiftly and independently. National and international security forces must enhance their efforts to establish coherent and transparent systems of accountability, including with respect to conflict-related detention. Efforts should be made to influence insurgents to cease attacks against civilian targets and to enable the humanitarian community to regain and maintain critical humanitarian space; (c) The Government of Afghanistan should actively support and promote the National Action Plan for Women in Afghanistan (NAPWA) together with the ANDS Gender-Equity Cross-Cutting Strategy to ensure that these are mainstreamed into the work of the Government. Current legal reform initiatives must incorporate international standards to provide greater protection to women and girls against all forms of violence, in both the private and public spheres, and must rapidly be translated into policies and concrete programmes. In the upcoming electoral period, specific measures should be taken to ensure the full participation of women in a safe and dignified manner; (d) The Government of Afghanistan and its international partners must demonstrate their commitment to addressing impunity as a matter of priority. Upholding the rule of law and delivering justice is a key condition for any democratic society. It will also help foster greater confidence by the Afghan population in its public institutions. The independence and impartiality of law enforcement and judicial authorities must be guaranteed, and the necessary resources must be put at their disposal so that they can deliver justice efficiently and professionally. The Government and the international community should support civil society, in particular vis-à-vis initiatives to establish the truth with regard to the past, including through the forensic investigation of mass graves, and to promote reconciliation. They should recommit to the transitional justice process with special emphasis on assisting and strengthening government institutions, in particular through institutional reforms and fair and transparent appointments procedures; (e) The Government of Afghanistan and the international community must nurture and protect civil society, women in public positions and media representatives, as critical components of democratic institution-building. Ensuring the integrity and independence of the upcoming electoral processes, including with respect to vetting of candidates is of vital importance. This will help create an environment that is conducive to Afghans being able to exercise freely their rights to receive and impart political and other information and to participate in elections;

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