KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today released a 38-page report examining efforts taken by the de facto authorities since August 2021 to provide oversight and accountability of its primary security institutions, while identifying gaps in transparency and actions.
UNAMA reporting finds that the de facto authorities have taken steps to promote discipline and oversight including through directives and internal monitoring units within the main security institutions and by establishing new bodies mandated to address misconduct of de facto security personnel.
UNAMA found that while such steps have been taken, they have not been accompanied by sufficient transparency on oversight and accountability measures by de facto security institutions. These include by bodies established for this purpose, namely the de facto Security and Filtration Commission, the de facto High Directorate of Supervision and Monitoring of Decrees and Edicts, the de facto Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MPVPV) Commission for Hearing Complaints, and the de facto Supreme Court.
“The limited amount of public information on complaints received, investigations conducted, and disciplinary or judicial actions taken by relevant de facto bodies undermine confidence and weaken deterrence,” said Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of UNAMA.
“Visible and consistent accountability measures indicate that rules are applied equally and to every person, including those in positions of authority. Improving accountability is a legal obligation of the de facto authorities and a necessary step towards improving governance and respect for human rights which support Afghanistan’s stability and its compliance with international obligations as a basis for the country’s reintegration into the international community,” said Ms. Gagnon.
UNAMA documented instances where the de facto authorities conducted arrests and investigations of reported misconduct of de facto security personnel and made referrals to de facto military courts. At the same time, many complaints reportedly remain unresolved, while fear of reprisals, lack of trust in de facto authority institutions, and barriers - particularly for women who are subjected to multiple restrictions in their daily lives - discourage reporting of alleged misconduct.
UNAMA recommends that Afghanistan’s de facto authorities strengthen accountability across all security institutions by ensuring that clear rules, procedures and codes of conduct are in place, consistent with international standards, and applied uniformly by all personnel. This includes clarifying the rules governing the use of force, arrest, detention, searches and crowd policing, establishing clear standards of professional conduct, and requiring all personnel to report misconduct, with commanders responsible for enforcing discipline. The report also emphasizes that accountability should be embedded before, during and after operations through effective training, supervision and prompt, impartial investigations, with serious cases referred to the courts where appropriate.
The report further calls for accessible, safe and inclusive complaints mechanisms that allow all individuals, regardless of gender, to report concerns without fear of retaliation or discrimination, while ensuring protection of victims, witnesses and whistleblowers. It urges measures to prevent interference with monitoring, complaint handling and investigative processes, and recommends greater transparency through regular public reporting on complaints, misconduct cases and actions taken by security institutions, oversight bodies and courts. In addition, UNAMA encourages stronger data collection and record-keeping systems to help identify patterns of misconduct and measure progress. The report highlights that visible and consistent accountability would also strengthen professionalism and public trust in security institutions, while supporting Afghanistan’s national development priorities and international engagement objectives.
