• Afghan Human Rights Commission
• Afghan women in the political process
• Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women -- 14 January - 1 February 2002
• Security Council Arria Formula Meeting -- 19 December 2001
• Afghan Women's Summit for Democracy -- Brussels, 4-5 December 2001

Afghan Human Rights Commission

On 6 June 2002, Mr. Hamid Karzai, Chairman of the Interim Administration of Afghanistan, signed into law the Decree on the Establishment of the Independent Afghan Human Rights Commission. When signing the Decree, Mr. Karzai identified the event as another key moment in the implementation of the Bonn Agreement, and noted both the importance of the new commission for the protection of human rights of all Afghan people, and its crucial role in launching a process to address the abuses of the past.
The Commission is made up of eleven members, including four women: Amina Safia AFZALI, Suraya AHMADYAR, Hangama ANWARI, Humaira NIAMATI

Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
14 January - 1 February 2002

During its 26th session, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women issued a statement of solidarity and support for Afghan women. The statement, which emphasizes the importance of the equal participation of women and men in the reconstruction and development of their country, was transmitted to Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Karzai, through the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi.

• Press release -- Solidarity and support for Afghan women expressed in statement by Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, 30 January 2002
  
  

Security Council Arria Formula Meeting
19 December 2001

Under the leadership of Ambassador Durrant of Jamaica, an Arria Formula meeting was held on 19 December with a delegation from the Afghan Women's Summit for Democracy which took place from 4 to 5 December in Brussels. The Arria Formula, named after former Ambassador Arria of Venezuela, allows members of the Security Council to meet with non-members and with representatives of non-governmental organizations.

• Security Council Arria Formula Meeting with delegation from Afghan Women's Summit for Democracy, 19 December 2001
  
  

Afghan Women's Summit for Democracy
Brussels, 4-5 December 2001

The European Women's Lobby, Equality Now, V-Day, the Center for Strategic Initiatives of Women and the Feminist Majority, in response to the request from women of Afghanistan for support and solidarity, hosted the Afghan Women's Summit for Democracy in Brussels from 4-5 December 2001, collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women and UNIFEM. The Summit concluded with the adoption of the Brussels Proclamation, which addresses women's demands with respect to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

• The Brussels Proclamation [  PDF ]
  
  
• "True Afghan peace not possible without restoration of women's rights", says Secretary-General in message to Brussels Summit, 4 December 2001
  
  
• Statement of Solidarity by Angela E.V. King, Assistant Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, 4 December 2001