A/HRC/57/5 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its forty-sixth session from 29 April to 10 May 2024. The review of Afghanistan was held at the 2nd meeting, on 29 April 2024. The delegation of Afghanistan was headed by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Nasir Ahmad Andisha. At its 10th meeting, held on 3 May 2024, the Working Group adopted the report on Afghanistan. 2. On 10 January 2024, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Afghanistan: Burundi, India and Netherlands (Kingdom of the). 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Afghanistan: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a);1 (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b); 2 (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c). 3 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Canada, Liechtenstein, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Afghanistan through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The head of the delegation affirmed that Afghanistan, as a pioneering and active member of the United Nations system since 1946, had ratified most of the core international human rights treaties and had incorporated them into domestic law and enforced them. Following the decision by the Bureau of the Human Rights Council, in response to the request of Afghanistan for postponement, to proceed with the review under the fourth cycle, 34 organizations and individuals had contributed to the process. The drafting process and methodology were explained in the report. 6. He also affirmed the importance of the universal periodic review mechanism, while emphasizing that it served as a crucial platform for constructive dialogue, reflection and collective action towards advancing human rights in Afghanistan. The universal periodic review also provided an opportunity for constructive and candid engagement among Member States to enhance the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide. 7. He highlighted the current dire state of the human rights landscape in Afghanistan due to the military takeover by the Taliban and how, despite formidable obstacles, Afghanistan remained resolute in its commitment to building a society founded upon the principles of justice, equality and respect for human rights. 8. The Human Rights Support Unit had been established in the Ministry of Justice of Afghanistan to uphold its commitment to implementing the endorsed recommendations. It had collaborated with various governmental bodies and civil society organizations to devise 1 2 3 2 A/HRC/WG.6/46/AFG/1. A/HRC/WG.6/46/AFG/2. A/HRC/WG.6/46/AFG/3. GE.24-09690