A/RES/52/211 Page 4 B The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 49/140 of 20 December 1994, 50/88 B of 19 December 1995 and 51/195 B of 17 December 1996, Recalling also Security Council resolution 1076 (1996) of 22 October 1996 and all statements of the President of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan, Noting all recent declarations by participants of regional international meetings and by international organizations on the situation in Afghanistan, Strongly committed to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, Convinced that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict, Expressing deep concern at the lack of progress in reaching a negotiated settlement of the conflict, Deeply concerned at the continuation of the military confrontation in Afghanistan, which has led to the loss of many lives and the sometimes forcible displacement of civilian populations and which seriously endangers the stability and peaceful development of the region, Deeply concerned also over the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions4 and international human rights instruments and principles relating to the conduct of war by the Afghan parties, Stressing the need to prevent further civilian casualties, Welcoming recent exchanges of prisoners between the Afghan parties, Deeply concerned about the continuing discrimination against girls and women and other recurring abuses of human rights in Afghanistan and the inadequacy of measures taken to reverse the situation, and emphasizing the importance of democracy, equality and of the realization of human rights in any future political process in Afghanistan, Convinced that the United Nations, as a universally recognized intermediary, must continue to play a central and impartial role in international efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict, Expressing its appreciation for the efforts made in this regard by the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan headed by Mr. Norbert Holl, and by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Expressing its appreciation also for the engagement, in support of and in coordination with the United Nations, of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Afghanistan, 4 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, Nos. 970 to 973. /...