A/RES/63/18
particular in the south and east, and the development of Afghan Government
institutions, including at the subnational level, the strengthening of the rule of law,
the acceleration of justice sector reform, the promotion of national reconciliation,
without prejudice to the fulfilment of the measures introduced by the Security
Council in its resolution 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999 and other relevant
resolutions, and an Afghan-led transitional justice process, the safe and voluntary
return of Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons in an orderly and
dignified manner, the promotion and protection of human rights and the
advancement of economic and social development,
Condemning, in the strongest terms, all attacks, including improvised
explosive device attacks, suicide attacks and abductions, targeting civilians and
Afghan and international forces, and their deleterious effect on the stabilization,
reconstruction and development efforts in Afghanistan, and condemning further the
use by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist and criminal groups of civilians as
human shields,
Deeply concerned about the recent increase in violence in Afghanistan, in
particular in the south and east, recognizing the increased threats posed by the
Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist and criminal groups as well as the challenges
related to the efforts to address such threats, expressing its serious concern about the
high number of civilian casualties, noting relevant statements of Afghan authorities
and high-ranking United Nations officials, as well as statements to the press by the
President of the Security Council in this regard, and calling for compliance with
international humanitarian and human rights law and for all appropriate measures to
be taken to ensure the protection of civilians,
Recognizing the efforts made by the International Security Assistance Force
and other international forces to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, and calling
upon them to make additional robust efforts in this regard, notably by the
continuous review of tactics and procedures and the conduct of after-action reviews
and investigations in cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan in cases
where civilian casualties have occurred and when the Government finds these joint
investigations appropriate,
Noting the importance of the national Government being representative of the
ethnic diversity of the country and ensuring also the full and equal participation of
women,
Stresses the central and impartial role of the United Nations in promoting
1.
peace and stability in Afghanistan, expresses its appreciation and strong support for
all efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative in this regard,
and welcomes the leading role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan in the coordination of the international civilian effort, guided by the
principle of reinforcing Afghan ownership and leadership;
Welcomes the Declaration of the Paris Conference of 12 June 20084 and
2.
the additional international support as pledged, reaffirms that the Afghanistan
Compact, including the annexes thereto,2 remains the agreed basis for the work of
both Afghanistan and the international community, welcomes the launching of the
Afghanistan National Development Strategy, which reflects, inter alia, increased
Afghan ownership and responsibility, and welcomes the Afghan commitment to
pursue political and economic reform;
0H
2