Afghan Rights Body Concerned At Lack Of U.S. Security Agreement

NATO troops investigate the the wreckage of a suicide bomber's car at the site of an attack in Kabul earlier this month.

KABUL -- The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has expressed concern about the human rights situation in the country after the NATO troops' withdrawal this year.

Commission spokesman Rafiullah Beidar told RFE/RL on February 28 that the human rights situation in Afghanistan will most likely deteriorate further unless the U.S.–Afghan Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) is signed.

The BSA, which has been under discussion since November 2012, is expected to define cooperation between Kabul and Washington after the majority of the NATO-led combat mission is withdrawn from Afghanistan this year.

Afghan and U.S. officials continue to try to resolve differences related to the number of U.S. troops to be stationed in Afghanistan after the withdrawal, the Taliban's involvement in the peace process, and other issues.