Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged Afghanistan's foreign donors to press the Afghan government to prevent a further deterioration in the country's human rights situation and support services crucial to rights. The groups issued a joint statement ahead of a major donors' meeting on Afghanistan here.
"Afghanistan needs sustained political and financial backing to strengthen human rights and rule of law. Donors and the new unity government must ensure that human rights are at the heart of reforms undertaken by the new Afghan unity government and donor assistance to Afghanistan," Amnesty International Asia-Pacific director Richard Bennett said.
"The London Conference is a crucial moment in determining whether the new Afghan government will take concrete steps to end human rights abuses, and whether donors have the will to stay involved in defending the rights of Afghans beyond 2014," said Human Rights Watch Asia director Brad Adams.
"Without international pressure and aid specifically targeted at ending rights abuses, many of the gains of the last 13 years could easily slip away," he added.
Delegations from more than 70 countries are expected to gather for the London Conference on Afghanistan, which will also see Afghan President Ashraf Ghani attend. The meet coincides with the deadline for the withdrawal of foreign combat forces from the war torn country.
