A/HRC/31/46 centred advocacy process to enable the voices of Afghans to be heard and considered by the local governmental bodies and authorities as well as the National Unity Government and policymakers. 70. In 2015, the provincial advocacy committees held 278 advocacy meetings in 32 provinces to exert and encourage provincial governmental sector authorities, including governors, heads of law enforcement institutions, individuals in charge of security organs, and public service providers, to institute reforms to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law. VI. Support to national institutions 71. In early 2015, the Subcommittee on Accreditation of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights rendered its decision on the status of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission based on its five-yearly accreditation review. It had deferred its decision for one year owing to concerns regarding the selection and appointment process for commissioners, the dependence of the Commission on international donor funding and the disparity in the ratio of female to male staff members. Following the review, the Commission retained its “status A” accreditation. 72. In 2015, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission continued to address the concerns raised by the Subcommittee on Accreditation. UNAMA/OHCHR remains committed to strengthening this critical institution and supporting the implementation of its strategic action plan. UNAMA/OHCHR urges the National Unity Government to ensure the Commission’s continued independence, credibility and effectiveness. VII. Cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms 73. UNAMA/OHCHR facilitated a capacity-building programme provided by an OHCHR expert to selected specialists of the Human Rights Support Unit of the Ministry of Justice on monitoring the implementation of Afghanistan’s March 2015 universal periodic review recommendations. The training was aimed at increasing the capacity of the Human Rights Support Unit to address substantial gaps relating to the implementation of universal periodic review recommendations and data collection across the Government. In September, UNAMA/OHCHR recruited a national consultant to assist the Unit in that task. The consultant reviewed domestic laws in the light of international human rights norms and standards as well as indicators measuring the implementation of universal periodic review and treaty body recommendations. 74. In line with OHCHR advocacy and advice, the Human Rights Support Unit advocated for the reactivation of the Task Force Committee (formerly named the Human Rights Coordination Committee) through a regulation on support for human rights in governmental administration, which had been approved by the Council of Ministers in August 2014. The Committee is responsible for coordinating governmental efforts to assess the recommendations of national and international institutions on human rights obligations and their application within governmental organs. 75. The regulation was endorsed by President Ghani and published in the Official Gazette on 17 September 2014. The first meeting of the Committee was held on 19 January 2015. The Committee is chaired by the Minister of Justice and includes deputies from the Ministries of Defence; Interior; Foreign Affairs; Education; Finance; Women’s Affairs; Public Health; Refugees and Repatriations; Information and Culture; Labour, Social 15

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