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Executive Summary

This report assesses the situation of economic and social rights in Afghanistan and investigates the progress made by the Afghan government in ensuring these rights from early 1387 (March 2008) to late 1387 (March 2009). The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has already published three reports on economic and social rights in the years 2006, 2007, and 2008. This report is also available online at AIHRC website at www.aihrc.org.af.

The Afghan Constitution and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), form the two fundamental sources of the Afghan government's legal framework for the realisation of economic and social rights. These legal sources are complemented by Afghanistan's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). Accordingly, the government of Afghanistan has a duty to protect these rights for its citizens, pave the way for social security, create conditions for enjoyment by the people of their right to an adequate standard of living, socially reintegrate returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), safeguard family life, and provide Afghan citizens with educational and health services.

It is not an easy task to ensure economic and social rights and bring about an adequate standard of living. Serious, continued, and time-consuming efforts are required to implement commitments made by the Afghan government. Afghanistan's regional geographical position and its natural setting can lay a solid basis for socioeconomic development, but political will, comprehensive strategy-making, and proper programmes are needed to make the most of these opportunities.