A/RES/56/176 (b) The widespread violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law in Afghanistan, mainly by the Taliban, including the right to life, liberty and security of person, freedom from torture and from other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, freedom of opinion, expression, religion, association and movement, and the recruitment and use of children in hostilities, contrary to international standards; (c) The civilian massacres involving reprisal killings and summary executions following, in recent years, the taking and retaking of particular areas by warring parties; (d) The frequent Taliban practice of arbitrary arrest and detention and of summary trials, which have resulted in summary executions throughout the country; (e) The gross violations of the human rights of women and girls, including all forms of discrimination against them, notably in areas under the control of the Taliban where findings of further gross violations of the human rights of women and girls include abductions and kidnappings, as well as accounts of many instances of forced marriage and of trafficking; 3. Strongly condemns also the killing of foreign correspondents which occurred in Afghanistan in November 2001, reiterates its firm condemnation of the killing of Iranian diplomats and the correspondents of the Islamic Republic News Agency by the Taliban, as well as the attacks on and the killing of United Nations personnel in territories of Afghanistan at that moment under Taliban control, and calls upon all Afghan parties to cooperate in urgent investigations of those heinous crimes with a view to bringing to justice those responsible; 4. Condemns the Taliban authorities for allowing the continued use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities; 5. Notes with deep concern the existence of millions of Afghan refugees and their increased flow, while recognizing the huge burden shouldered by neighbouring countries, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan, and appreciating the efforts undertaken in these host countries to ease the plight of Afghan refugees; 6. Underlines the importance of the fulfilment of obligations under international law, including human rights law, with regard to asylum-seekers; 7. Expresses its concern at the large number of internally displaced persons in Afghanistan and their situation, and encourages efforts to meet their protection and assistance needs in Afghanistan; 8. Supports the early development of a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring respect for human rights and humanitarian law, which would, inter alia, provide for a smooth transition from humanitarian assistance to rehabilitation and long-term sustainable development as well as for a durable solution for refugees and internally displaced persons, including their voluntary return in safety and with dignity, and calls upon the international community to provide additional assistance in this regard; 9. Urges all parties to work and cooperate fully with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan; 3