UN rights expert on arbitrary executions set to visit Afghanistan

A United Nations human rights expert is set to undertake a fact-finding mission later this month to look into extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in Afghanistan, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights announced today.

Asma Jahangir, a Special Rapporteur of the Geneva-based UN Commission on Human Rights, is scheduled to begin her 10-day visit on 13 October in Kabul. During the mission, Ms. Jahangir is slated to meet with Government officials and UN representatives. She is also expected to visit a number of cities and towns, where she will meet with local authorities, international agencies and others concerned.

"I will endeavour to meet all relevant parties and interlocutors in order to make a balanced and independent assessment," said Ms. Jahangir, who is expected to prepare a report on her visit for the next session of the Commission in March.

The mission, which came at Ms. Jahangir's request, was agreed to by the Government of Afghanistan and supported by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).