The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) drew particular attention to the provisions and provisions of the Convention OP (OPCAT).
The subcommittee noted in a note a statment That torture “is strictly prohibited at all times and in all circumstances.”
They emphasized that torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment cannot be justified in any situation, whether it is a state of war, internal political instability or a public emergency.
Furthermore, the subcommittee added, the Afghan authorities must protect everyone from torture and ill-treatment “regardless of their ethnic background, religious beliefs or political affiliation.”
denial of nutrition
The UN Subcommittee was particularly concerned about the situation of persons deprived of their liberty along with their conditions of detention, including prisons, police stations and other detention facilities, as well as psychiatric and social care institutions.
They highlighted the importance of the work of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and its National Preventive Mechanism, a national and independent body established to visit places of deprivation of liberty with the aim of preventing torture, and its important role in the protection and promotion of human rights.
“We call on the Afghan authorities to ensure the safety and security of all members and staff of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and the National Preventive Mechanism,” the statement continued.
“They are entitled to be protected from any reprisals and to be able to continue their preventive work, with the support of the authorities, in implementing the objectives of the Convention against Torture and its Protocol,” which Afghanistan ratified in 1987 and 2018, respectively.
In conclusion, the Subcommittee affirmed its readiness to cooperate with the authorities in implementing the provisions of the Optional Protocol and to assist the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and its National Preventive Mechanisms in strengthening the institution and its preventive activities, including visiting places of detention and making recommendations to the relevant authorities on the prevention of torture and ill-treatment.
Return of humanitarian flights
Meanwhile, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric Tell Journalists at a regular briefing that the UN Humanitarian Air Service is managed by the World Food Program (WFP)World Food Program) resumes its flights to enable 160 humanitarian organizations to continue their life-saving activities across the governorates of the country.
Currently, the air passenger service links Islamabad with Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar, with three flights to Mazar-i-Sharif already made since August 29.
The World Food Program says all efforts are being made to ramp up operations as quickly as possible and increase the number of flights to destinations in Afghanistan.
In addition, a freight air bridge is being established to transport non-food items, such as medical and other emergency supplies, to where they are most needed.
The United Nations domestic passenger service requires $18 million and $12 million for the air freight bridge. “These two services will be used by the entire humanitarian community,” said Mr. Dujarric.
World Food Program
In the first six months of 2021, the World Food Program provided assistance to 5.5 million people in Afghanistan.
0 Comments