Human Rights Watch and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights are expressing concerns about several new appointments to Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission by President Hamid Karzai.
Navi Pillay, the United Nations' human rights chief, has asked her office to review the appointment process and assess whether it complies with Afghan law and internationals standards, according to a press release.
Afghan law requires the appointment process to be transparent and to draw on broad consultations.
It also requires chosen members to serve in their own individual capacity rather than on behalf of any organization.
Human Rights Watch says the Afghan group's current 'A' status accreditation could be downgraded if irregularities in the appointment process are discovered.
Four current commissioners, including Chairwoman Sima Samar, also have been asked by Karzai to serve another term.
Navi Pillay, the United Nations' human rights chief, has asked her office to review the appointment process and assess whether it complies with Afghan law and internationals standards, according to a press release.
Afghan law requires the appointment process to be transparent and to draw on broad consultations.
It also requires chosen members to serve in their own individual capacity rather than on behalf of any organization.
Human Rights Watch says the Afghan group's current 'A' status accreditation could be downgraded if irregularities in the appointment process are discovered.
Four current commissioners, including Chairwoman Sima Samar, also have been asked by Karzai to serve another term.