Afghan human rights activist wins international peace award
8 January 2011 - The chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission has been awarded the 2010 Tipperary International Peace Award for her contribution to freedom and democracy in Afghanistan. The Tipperary Peace Convention based in Ireland hailed Sima Samar as a “principled and…
UNAMA concerned about delay of Wolesi Jirga inauguration
KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expresses its deep concern and surprise at the recent call to delay the inauguration of the National Assembly. It further recalls the position of members of the Security Council at the meeting of 22 December 2010, including on the…
Afghanistan: UN deeply concerned at delay in parliament’s inauguration
21 January 2011 (UN News Centre) –The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today voiced “deep concern and surprise” at the recent call to delay the inauguration of the National Assembly that was elected in September. UN News Centre story According to media reports, President…
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Fears over child recruitment, abuse by pro-government militias
KABUL - Pro-government militias in parts of Afghanistan are believed to be recruiting underage boys and sometimes sexually abusing them in an environment of criminal impunity, local people and human rights organizations say. IRIN story In a bid to counter the intensifying insurgency, the Afghan…
Government’s media centre spotlights press freedom on second anniversary
23 January 2011 - The Afghan Government Media Information Centre (GMIC) celebrated its two year anniversary last week with a pledge to continue involving Afghan youth in its work and discussions about press freedom and access to information. The GMIC is a “bridge between the Government, media and…
UNAMA welcomes inauguration of National Assembly on 26 January 2011
25 January 2011 - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomes the understanding reached in the recent exchanges between the Office of the President of Afghanistan and the Afghan Parliament agreeing to the inauguration of the National Assembly on 26 January. DARI - PASHTO It…
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Afghanistan’s Parliament convenes
KABUL - Afghanistan’s Lower House of Parliament, the Wolesi Jirga, convened today as its 249 members were sworn in by President Hamid Karzai. This is the country’s second Parliament to be inaugurated since 2001. There are 69 women members of the assembly. “Today is a historical day for Afghanistan…
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
26 January 2011 - The Secretary-General welcomes the inauguration earlier today of the Wolesi Jirga, the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament, presided over by President Hamid Karzai. Dari- Pashto The inauguration marks the end of the electoral process and the beginning of a period in which Afghan…
Supermarket attacked in Kabul
28 January 2011 - An attack today at a popular city centre supermarket killed a number of civilians, including reportedly a child. Afghan police continue to investigate the attack, which occurred around 2.30 in the afternoon, during the end of week holiday, and precise numbers of people killed and…
Transport union partners with UN to de-mine Afghan roads
28 January 2011 - Landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to put thousands of communities in Afghanistan at risk of death or injury, but the problem can be solved with adequate funding of the de-mining effort, a senior United Nations official said today, lauding the world body’s partnership…
Weekly review of UNAMA stories and photos
28 January 2011 - Download UNAMA stories and photos from this week. UNAMA NEWS and UNAMA PHOTOS
UN condemns deadly attack on Kabul supermarket
28 January 2011 - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned an attack on a supermarket in the centre of Kabul today, which has reportedly killed at least six civilians, including a child. UN News Centre story Media reports say a suicide bomber struck in the early…