Marking International Human Rights Day, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) spotlighted the crucial work of Afghan human rights defenders and joined the call for all citizens to stand up to protect the rights of vulnerable women, men, and children.
At a UNAMA-sponsored event this week in Kabul, leading human rights defenders described how Afghanistan's armed conflict had made their work more challenging, but all the more essential.
By defending the rights of others, the activists affirm that the loss of anyone's rights diminishes the humanity of everyone.
"The work of human rights defenders has become ever more crucial amid ongoing human rights abuses and violence across Afghanistan. These abuses can occur during armed conflict, but also in the workplace and in the home," UNAMA said in a statement.
"Afghanistan's human rights defenders embody this year's theme, which is to Stand up for Someone's Rights Today," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan.
"These women and men are true champions, and we need more brave individuals like them to protect human rights the world over. It is totally unacceptable that the risks they face are increasing with the intensification of the armed conflict," said Yamamoto.
"More must be done by the parties to the conflict to ensure their protection."
Read the full story at TOLOnews