BAMYAN - Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) provincial office in Bamyan said it registered a sharp increase in the number of cases of violence against women in the central highlands province in 2012.

Hayatullah Hayat, Officer-in-Charge of AIHRC in Bamyan, told the media that 152 cases of violence against women were registered in Bamyan last year. The number was as twice as high compared to the previous year which registered 71 cases.

"Lack of awareness about the Elimination of Violence against Women law, conservative and harmful traditions and slow prosecution of the accused are the reasons behind the increased number of cases registered last year," Mr. Hayat explained.

While insecurity, interventions from powerful people on the prosecution process, and harsh mountainous terrain are the other reasons behind the rise in the human rights violations.

Mr. Hayat added that seven cases of homicide in 2011 and 2012 have not been finalized by the prosecutors and the perpetrators are still unknown, which need serious actions from the authorities.

According to AIHRC Bamyan, lack of defense lawyers and absence of female defense council are amongst serious challenges to rule of law in Bamyan that require swift actions from the relevant authorities. Otherwise, it added, court hearings may not be fair.

Source: Radio Bamyan, Jamhoor News