Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, AIHRC

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commision is the most important actor in the country in the field of human rights.The structure, duties and mandates of the AIHRC have been defined in a special law. AIHRC is mandated to carry out the following five activities: 1) Monitoring the observance of human rights, 2) Promotion and protection of human rights, 3) Monitoring the situation of and the people’s access to human rights and freedoms, 4) Investigations of research on violations of human rights and 5) Adoption of measures to improve and promote the human rights situation in the country. The AIHRC works to support the Afghan government as an advisory body, with the goal that human rights are given the precedence they deserve in the government’s decision-making process. Furthermore, AIHRC directly supports citizens whose human rights have been violated or who are susceptible to violations. During the 16 years of existence, AIHRC has been able to advance the human rights situation in the country. The monitoring in the prisons is clearly more efficient and there is a reduction of the cases of torture made by the police forces. AIHRC has brought into discussion sensitive issues related to women’s rights. There is also positive development promoting the rights of children and disabled people. The work of AIHRC enjoys the national and international confidence and it is been considered as visible, well-functioning and trustworthy human rights institution. Financing AIHRC contributes to focus area 3 in development policy of Finland (Democratic and betterfunctioning societies) and focus area 1 (the rights and status of women and girls). Finland supports AIHRC with 1,5 million Euros during the years 2019-2021.