Afghanistan

Table of Contents

Overview

The Human Rights Service (HRS) was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1401 (2002) as an entity integrated within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). It also serves as the OHCHR presence in Afghanistan, reporting to the High Commissioner. It operates with its headquarters in Kabul, with eight regional and three provincial offices throughout Afghanistan. Read more >

News & Statements

Latest news

31 Oct 2023

Special Procedures

Taliban must immediately release women human rights defenders, say UN experts

27 Oct 2023

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Afghan nationals at risk of deportation from Pakistan

24 Oct 2023

Special Procedures

Afghanistan: Perfect storm of human rights challenges require urgent redress, says UN expert

17 Oct 2023

Special Procedures

UN Special Rapporteurs urge Pakistan to stop planned mass deportation of Afghans

See all

Latest statements & messages

12 Sep 2023

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Afghanistan: Human rights in ‘state of collapse,’ warns Türk

14 Aug 2023

Multiple Mechanisms

Afghanistan: UN human rights experts denounce idea of “reformed” Taliban

28 Jul 2023

Special Procedures

Afghanistan: UN experts alarmed by media outlet’s spreading of disinformation

19 Jun 2023

Human Rights Council

Afghan women suffer extreme discrimination, restrictions and violence - Deputy High Commissioner

See all

Featured Stories

Afghan women wait for pre-natal checks at a hospital in Faizabad in Badakshan province. © REUTERS/Angie Ramos
11 July 2023 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Experts: Taliban treatment of women may be “gender apartheid”

UN experts tell the Human Rights Council that the attack against women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan is the worst globally.
Alt text: Zuhal Ahad is a freelance journalist in Canada. © Courtesy of Zuhal Ahad
03 May 2023 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Women journalists must be protected from violence and harassment

While Afghan Zuhal Ahad faced constant harassment by the Taliban for her coverage of women’s affairs, she continued to risk her life to tell the important stories that impacted the people in her country.
See all

UN and OHCHR Reports

UN Secretary-General and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

The situation of human rights in Afghanistan and technical assistance achievements in the field of human rights - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Situation of human rights in Afghanistan and technical assistance achievements in the field of human rights - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

The situation of human rights in Afghanistan and technical assistance achievements in the field of human rights - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Report of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict Afghanistan 2008

See all

OHCHR/UNAMA Reports

Preventing torture and upholding the rights of detainees in Afghanistan: A factor for peace - February 2021 In Search of Justice for Crimes of Violence Against Women and Girls - December 2020 Treatment of Conflict-Related Detainees in Afghanistan: Preventing Torture and Ill-treatment under the Anti-Torture Law

See all

Universal Periodic Review

Core documents for the current and previous cycles

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.

Special Procedures

Reports

A/78/338: Situation of human rights in Afghanistan - Note by the Secretary-General

A/HRC/53/21: Situation of women and girls in Afghanistan - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

A/HRC/52/84: Situation of human rights in Afghanistan - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett

A/HRC/51/6: Situation of human rights in Afghanistan - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

A/HRC/35/27/Add.3: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons on his mission to Afghanistan

See all

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

Special Procedures country visits

Treaty Bodies

Reports

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Concluding observations on the third periodic report of Afghanistan

Committee against Torture: Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Afghanistan

Concluding observations

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS : REPORT ON THE 6TH SESSION, 25 NOVEMBER-13 DECEMBER 1991

See all

Status & Reporting

Status of Ratifications Reporting Status Standing invitation to Special Procedures General Assembly Resolutions, Decisions and Chairperson's Statements Human Rights Council Resolutions, Decisions and Chairperson's Statements Commission on Human Rights Resolutions, Decisions and Chairperson's Statements Voluntary Pledges and Commitments

External Resources

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

Note: OHCHR is not responsible for the content of external links.

Contact Information

Headquarters

Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD)
Contact in Geneva, Switzerland.

Asia Pacific Section
Tel. +41 22 928 9650

Field

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
Alpha Compound, Kabul
Tel + 212 963 2663 ext 5652 (from New York),
+ 39 083 124 5652 (from Italy)
Switchboard via Brindisi from Gva: 66.177 - 5652 (+34) 96 12 56730 (via Valencia, Spain)
(+34) 08 31 18 38730 (via Brindisi, Italy)
Website

Photo credit: UNICEF/UNI358978/Fazel

VIEW THIS PAGE IN: