UN envoy on hand as Afghanistan swears in new cabinet

Afghanistan's new cabinet was officially sworn in today, with the senior United Nations envoy to the country on hand during the ceremonies in Kabul.

Yesterday, Lakhdar Brahimi, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, held his first formal meeting with members of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.

The envoy told participants that their success would be measured by how much help they would provide to those who would needed it, and by how much respect they would earn from their countrymen. He also reiterated the UN's support for the Commission's work.

The Commission was created by a decree signed into law on 6 June by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was then Chairman of the Interim Administration, and is charged with developing a national plan of action for human rights in the country.

The 11-member body is comprised of persons who were appointed based on their individual human rights expertise, personal and professional integrity as well as their competence, demonstrated independence and commitment to human rights and public credibility.