In reference to recent articles in the international media on a mass grave site in Northern Afghanistan, we would like to note the following:

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) jointly undertook a preliminary forensic investigation on the site of Dasht-e-Leily, near Shebergan, Northern Afghanistan, in early May. At the time, UNAMA made public that the investigation confirmed the existence of a large grave area of recent origin and that three bodies were exhumed for autopsy: the absence of blunt force trauma, sharp force injury or firearm injury led the team to conclude that the cause of death was consistent with death due to suffocation.

While such findings called for a full fledged investigation, UNAMA and OHCHR jointly endorsed the recommendation of the forensic team that any further activity on the site be initiated only after an effective witness protection scheme has been put in place.

With regard to violations and abuses of the past, the recently created Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission envisages organizing a nationwide consultative process to prepare a decision on a transitional justice strategy. Different strategies were adopted in other countries: truth commissions, tribunals or a combination of the two.

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission recommended that adequate measures be taken by the authorities for the protection of the site. In the meantime, UNAMA’s regional office in Mazar-e-Sharif received instructions to periodically visit the site in order to make sure that it has not been altered by deliberate human activity.

Afghan Transitional Authorities have committed themselves to enhance the respect for human rights and justice, fight impunity and promote national reconciliation. UNAMA will continue to work with all Afghans in the pursuit of these objectives.

Kabul, 20 August 2002

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