A/HRC/28/48 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 8 January 2015 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-eighth session Agenda items 2 and 10 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General 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 in 2014 Summary The human rights situation in Afghanistan in 2014 has been negatively affected by the contested security, political and economic transitions. Anti-Government elements sought to exploit the uncertainty by increasing their offensives, resulting in more ground engagements and a rising toll in civilian casualties. In the first 11 months of 2014, civilian deaths and injuries from conflict-related violence increased by 19 per cent compared with the same period in 2013. 2014 has become the year with the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) since 2009. Unaddressed pervasive violence against women and girls and impunity for abusive detention practices, including torture, continued. Despite the worsening conflict and continuing human rights violations, with the formation in September 2014 of the National Unity Government committed to a reform agenda, there is a genuine opportunity to consolidate and expand human rights protections. For reforms to take root, they must be reinforced by accountability for those who commit human rights violations. UNAMA/OHCHR have continued to pursue an overall strategy of “embedding human rights in Afghanistan” in support of all Afghans. Through targeted research and documentation, reporting, advocacy and engagement in strategic partnerships and dialogue with government, national institutions and civil society actors and communities as well as international partners across Afghanistan. GE.15-00230 (E) 