Afghanistan: Amnesty International welcomes Loya Jirga procedures

The procedures for the election of the members of the emergency Loya Jirga, which were announced 1 April 2002, state that those who are elected or selected as members of the Loya Jirga must not have been involved in abuse of human rights or war crimes, including the direct or indirect 'killing of innocent people'.

Amnesty International urges the United Nations to provide all necessary support to ensure that these provisions of the Loya Jirga selection procedures are fully enforced.

Amnesty International has repeatedly called for suspected perpetrators of grave human rights abuses, regardless of rank or other status, to be brought to justice, in accordance with international fair trial standards, and without recourse to the death penalty or other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.