III

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 6

Expressing concern for the continued deterioration of human rights in Afghanistan and emphasizing the need for a peaceful political settlement

in that country.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

FEBRUARY 7, 1997

Mr. DODD submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on Foreign Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing concern for the continued deterioration of human

rights in Afghanistan and emphasizing the need for a

peaceful political settlement in that country.

Whereas Congress recognizes that the legacy of civil conflict

in Afghanistan during the last 17 years has had a devastating effect on the civilian population in that country

and a particularly negative impact on the rights and security of women and girls;

Whereas the longstanding civil conflict in Afghanistan among

the warring political and military factions has created an

environment where the rights of women and girls are routinely violated;
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Whereas the Afghan forces led by Burhanuddin Rabbani and

Abdul Rashid Dostum are responsible for numerous abhorrent human rights abuses, including the rape, sexual

abuse, torture, abduction, and persecution of women and

girls;

Whereas Congress is disturbed by the upsurge of reported

human rights abuses, including extreme restrictions

placed on women and girls, since the Taliban coalition

seized the capital city of Kabul;

Whereas Afghanistan is a sovereign nation and must work to

solve its internal disputes; and

Whereas Afghanistan and the United States recognize international human rights conventions, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural

Rights, which espouse respect for basic human rights of

all individuals without regard to race, religion, ethnicity,

or gender: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That (a) Congress hereby—

3 (1) deplores the violations of international hu4 manitarian law by the Taliban coalition in Afghani5 stan and raises concern over the reported cases of

6 stoning, public executions, and street beatings;

7 (2) condemns the Taliban’s targeted discrimina8 tion against women and girls and expresses deep

9 concern regarding the prohibition of employment

10 and education for women and girls; and
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1 (3) takes note of the recent armed conflict in

2 Kabul, affirms the need for peace negotiations and

3 expresses hope that the Afghan parties will agree to

4 a cease-fire throughout the country.

5 (b) It is the sense of Congress that the President

6 should—

7 (1) continue to monitor the human rights situa8 tion in Afghanistan and should call for an end to

9 discrimination against women and girls in Afghani10 stan and for adherence by all factions in Afghani11 stan to international humanitarian law;

12 (2) review United States policy with respect to

13 Afghanistan if the Taliban coalition and others do

14 not cease immediately the harassment and other dis15 criminatory practices against women and girls;

16 (3) encourage efforts to procure a durable peace

17 in Afghanistan and should support the United Na18 tions Special Mission to Afghanistan led by Norbert

19 Holl to assist in brokering a peaceful resolution to

20 years of conflict;

21 (4) call upon the Government of Pakistan to

22 use its good offices with the Taliban to reverse the

23 Taliban’s restrictive and discriminatory policies

24 against women and girls; and
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1 (5) call upon other nations to cease providing

2 financial assistance, arms, and other kinds of sup3 port to the militaries or political organizations of

4 any of the warring factions in Afghanistan.

5 SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit

6 a copy of this concurrent resolution to the President with

7 the request that he further transmit such copy to the

8 United Nations and relevant parties in Afghanistan.

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