A/HRC/13/62 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 11 January 2010 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirteenth session Agenda item 10 Technical assistance and capacity-building Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and on the achievements of technical assistance in the field of human rights Summary The present report, submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council decision 2/113, reviews the current human rights situation in Afghanistan and contains recommendations to address diverse human rights problems. This report further provides an update on the achievements of technical assistance in the field of human rights. The year 2009 was a difficult one for Afghanistan as hard-won gains, particularly in relation to human rights, were put in jeopardy. Confidence in the state-building project diminished as many Afghans questioned the commitment of elected authorities and their international partners to safeguarding their core rights and freedoms. The escalation and spread of armed conflict resulted in the highest number of civilian casualties recorded since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 and in the further erosion of humanitarian space. While the armed opposition was responsible for the majority of civilian casualties, deaths as a result of air strikes by international forces continued to be a high-profile and contentious issue. However, new tactical directives, adopted by the international forces to reduce civilian casualties, appear to have had a positive impact. Attacks by anti-Government elements (AGEs) produced high levels of violence including, in particular, around the presidential and provincial council elections held in August 2009. The presidential election, widely regarded as a deeply flawed process, further weakened support for, and confidence in, the Government and its international partners, as well as the post-Bonn Agreement state-building project. While greater numbers of women stood for election to public office, threats against women in public life and crimes of sexual violence remained serious human rights concerns. The adoption of the Shia Personal Status Law, which legitimizes discriminatory practices against women, represented a setback for women’s rights. Widespread impunity continued to undermine effective governance in Afghanistan and little progress was achieved in terms of accountability for crimes that are directly associated with a long history of abuse of power. Journalists and media workers continued to be harassed for GE.10-10230 (E) 030210