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Commission saddened at the killing of human rights champion

2 February, 2011

The New Zealand Human Rights Commission was saddened to learn of the killing of Hamia Barmaki, an Afghanistan human rights commissioner, her husband and their four children during the suicide bombing at the Finest supermarket in Kabul last Friday.

A passionate advocate for the human rights of women and children, Hamia Barmaki was the associate professor of private law at the Law and Political Sciences Faculty at the University of Kabul.

Human Rights Commissioner Karen Johansen met Commissioner Barmaki when she attended a conference about ending violence against children hosted by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission in Kabul in January 2010.

Ms Johansen said it had been a privilege to have known her. “She was a champion for human rights in her country. I remember her gentle warmth when she comforted me when the Taliban attacked government offices on the second day of the conference.”

Chief Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said Hamia Barmaki’s loss would be one felt by the global human rights community. “Our thoughts are with her wider family, friends and colleagues at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.”

She said that Hamia Barmaki epitomised the courage and commitment displayed by commissioners and staff at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. Their work for human rights was in the face of ever present dangers and threats to life.

Dr Hamia Barmaki, Commissioner,

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

ENDS

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