in memoriam Three committed staff members of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) were killed during the past year in carrying out their human rights work. In September 2019, the APF mourned the death of Abdul Samad Amiri, Acting Director of the AIHRC’s Ghor Provincial Office. Mr Amiri was captured and murdered by the Taliban. He had worked with the Commission for many years, including as a children’s rights officer. On 27 June 2020, Fatima Khalil, the AIHRC’s donor liaison officer, and Ahmed Jawid Folad, a driver, were killed in a targeted attack on their car in Kabul. Ms Khalil was a young human rights defender at the start of her career. Mr Folad was one of the Commission’s longest-serving employees. APF members expressed their shock and shared their condolences with the AIHRC and the families of the staff members. In a statement to the Human Rights Council, the APF Chairperson described the attacks on human rights defenders in the context of armed conflict as a war crime. “We call on the Government of Afghanistan to strengthen protection for Commissioners and staff of its national human rights institution, as well as other human rights defenders in the country,” Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said. “These attacks must end.” We are grateful for the support of partners who share our commitment to an asia pacific where everyone enjoys human rights © Copyright Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions 2020 The APF permits free reproduction of extracts from this publication provided that due acknowledgement is given and a copy of the publication carrying the extract is sent to the following address: Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 1042 Australia E: apf@asiapacificforum.net W: www.asiapacificforum.net Image credits: Cok Wisnu on Unsplash; Yaopey Yong on Unsplash; National Human Rights Committee of Qatar; Human Rights Commission of Malaysia; Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights; Romulo Nayacalevu/Melanesian Spearhead Group; Control Yuan, Taiwan; APF/James Iliffe; Provedor for Human Rights and Justice of Timor Leste; Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission; Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT), Pacific Community; APF; National Human Rights Commission of Nepal; UN Women/Ploy Phutpheng, Flickr CC; Robin Noguier on Unsplash; National Human Rights Commission of Korea; National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia; Yelena Butova/UNDP in Turkmenistan Design | Lisa Thompson, JAG Designs 20 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS