UN Human Rights Expert To Afghanistan

UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT DUE TO MAKE WEEK-LONG VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN

New York, Aug 12 2004 2:00PM

A United Nations expert will begin a one-week visit to Afghanistan this weekend to check on the rights of prisoners and women, the exercise of political rights, human rights education and transitional justice.

Cherif Bassiouni, the UN Independent Expert on Human Rights in Afghanistan, is due to arrive Saturday in Kabul, the capital, and will hold talks with key Government officials, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), UN and other international agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

He will also make on-site visits, the details of which have yet to be finalized.

In a related development, as of today women in Faizabad in northeastern Afghanistan will receive more legal support to combat discrimination and domestic violence and to improve their living conditions.

The Department of Women's Affairs, with support from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), is establishing Women Working Groups (WWG) focusing on three areas: protection, public awareness and creating opportunities for females.

These groups bring together Government officials, organizations advocating women's rights and UNAMA. The network is already serving Afghan women in 26 districts in Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan.

2004-08-12 00:00:00.000

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