2. Protection and safe evacuation for human rights defenders and other at-risk groups a. The United Nations and the international community via the UNAMA, or through a specially appointed mandate holder, must commence negotiations with the authorities in Afghanistan to ensure safety for individuals at risk who remain in Afghanistan b. Post-negotiations, mechanisms for protection should also be developed. The international community must engage collectively to hold the authorities in Afghanistan to international human rights standards and ensure the safety of human rights defenders, journalists, and other groups at high risk. 3. Securing commitment to human rights guarantees from the authorities in Afghanistan UN SECURITY COUNCIL 1. Following up on its Resolution 2593 and Resolution 2596, the UN Security Council must press the authorities in Afghanistan to honour international human rights principles, especially with respect to women’s rights and minority rights. 2. The UN Security Council must monitor compliance with the minimum standards on human rights contained in UNSC Resolution 2593 and Resolution 2596, by receiving regular briefings on the human rights situation from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). 3. The UN must provide the Human Rights Unit of UNAMA with sufficient on-the-ground staff (whilst assuring their safety) and resources (including from additional voluntary contributions by member states) to carry out robust and independent human rights monitoring. 4. The UN Security Council must appoint a special mandate holder or other special mechanism to negotiate with the authorities in Afghanistan and increase international pressure on the authorities to end all human rights violations and abuses that are being reported from various parts of the country, via mechanisms available through the United Nations and multilateral negotiations. 5. All efforts must be taken to pressure the Taliban and other armed groups in Panjshir valley to adhere to international human rights law and humanitarian law, protect civilians, civilian objects, and prisoners of war, and ensure uninterrupted access to essential supplies and humanitarian aid. 6. The United Nations through a special mandate holder or other mechanism, must put in place a mechanism to negotiate with the authorities in Afghanistan, to ensure commercial and civilian aircrafts are able to operate safely at the international airports, and are provided the security needed for such operations. a. Negotiations must commence by the United Nations with the authorities in Afghanistan, either through a special mandate holder or through an existing mechanism, to support evacuations from Kabul airport and other international airports in Afghanistan by securing safety for civilians at the airport and ensure safe travel for civilians to the airport. UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL The UN Human Rights Council must establish a fact-finding mission or similar independent investigative mechanism, with a multi-year mandate to: 1. Investigate all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and other serious human rights violations and abuses, including any gendered dimensions of such violations and abuses, by all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan. THE FATE OF THOUSANDS HANGING IN THE BALANCE: AFGHANISTAN’S FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE TALIBAN Amnesty International 28