WASHINGTON - Amnesty International urges
Afghanistan’s newly re-elected President Hamid Karzai to prioritize human
rights and the rule of law in his second term in order to strengthen the
country’s stability and security.

“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 rule of law,” said Sam Zarifi,
Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director. “All these factors weaken
support for the government and its international allies.”

Amnesty International noted that the recent
presidential elections were marred by human rights abuses carried out by
the candidates and accentuated by the Taliban's increasing attacks against
civilians. The organization raised concerns that the upcoming parliamentary
elections,
currently scheduled for August or September 2010, potentially face even
greater human rights violations and Taliban violence.

“Government officials and parliamentarians
suspected of serious human rights violations and war crimes are enjoying
blatant impunity,”
said Zarifi.
“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.”
        
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning
grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters,
activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human
rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates
and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice,
freedom, truth and dignity are denied.