Ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of Hamid Karzai as Afghan president, Amnesty International is urging Mr Karzai to prioritise human rights and the rule of law in his second term to strengthen the country’s stability and security.

Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director Sam Zarifi said:

“Afghans from around the country continue to tell us that they suffer from poor governance, endemic corruption, a weak and inept justice system and lack of respect for human rights and the rule of law.

“Government officials and parliamentarians suspected of serious human rights violations and war crimes are enjoying blatant impunity. Many are also widely believed to be involved in corruption and criminal activities, but are rarely held accountable.

“In order to rebuild the trust of the Afghan people and the international community, government officials and parliamentarians suspected of serious human rights violations must be kept out of the election process and held to account.”

After recent presidential elections were marred by human rights abuses by the candidates as well as the Taleban's increasing attacks against civilians, Amnesty is now concerned that parliamentary elections scheduled for August/September next year face potentially even greater human rights violations as well as Taleban violence.