A/HRC/57/5 48. The claims of counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics were a paradox and self-contradiction by the Taliban. Senior Taliban leaders were involved in the narcotics trade and the production, manufacture and smuggling of drugs, including opium, heroin and methamphetamine, had become a significant part of the illicit exports of Afghanistan under Taliban rule. 49. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, established in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) under the 2004 Constitution, had played a vital role in protecting and promoting human rights in Afghanistan. Its mandate had included monitoring and verifying human rights violations. The dissolution of the Commission by the Taliban had left Afghanistan without a national human rights institution, depriving victims of human rights abuses of effective legal remedies and recourse. Given the gravity and scale of the ongoing human rights crisis in Afghanistan, the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism complementary to existing human rights mechanisms remained critical. 50. The delegation defied the Taliban’s claims of respecting the international human rights treaties ratified by Afghanistan, as evidenced by the issuance of over 200 edicts, decrees and directives curtailing the rights of citizens. 51. Romania expressed grave concern about the widespread violations and abuses in Afghanistan and the annihilation of the institutional protection of rights, especially for women and girls. 52. The Russian Federation said that the Government of Afghanistan lacked the resources to normalize the social and economic situation due to the withholding of Afghan assets by Western countries. 53. Senegal commended Afghanistan for its efforts to submit its national report, noting the challenges raised therein. 54. Sierra Leone expressed deep concern about the state of human rights in Afghanistan, particularly following the dissolution of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Support Unit. 55. Slovenia expressed concern about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially for women and girls, and condemned capital punishment and public executions. 56. Spain urged Afghanistan to collaborate with OHCHR and United Nations monitoring instruments, mechanisms and treaty bodies for conventions to which Afghanistan was a party. 57. The State of Palestine acknowledged the efforts of Afghanistan despite the various challenges and welcomed progress on refugee resettlement issues. 58. Sweden noted that the human rights situation in Afghanistan had deteriorated since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, especially concerning women’s and girls’ rights. 59. Switzerland acknowledged the special circumstances of Afghanistan and expressed hope for constructive engagement with the Taliban on its recommendations during an upcoming visit by a delegation of Switzerland to Kabul. 60. Togo commended the delegation of Afghanistan for presenting its national report and wished Afghanistan success in implementing the recommendations. 61. Türkiye expressed concern about the humanitarian, human rights and economic situations, urging continued international support to address humanitarian, human rights and economic issues. 62. Ukraine expressed grave regret for the Taliban’s reversal of progress and the dissolution of human rights bodies, bringing the human rights situation to the brink of disaster. 63. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland expressed shock at the deterioration of the human rights situation since the 2019 review, with the Taliban denying women and girls access to education, public and political spaces and many employment opportunities. 6 GE.24-09690