The future of war-torn Afghanistan must be at the core of human rights discussion as the world celebrates International Human Rights Day today, the Amnesty International in Malaysia said.

AI in Malaysia co-ordinating committee chairperson Joseph Paul said, the United Nations and international community must seriously support the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

This will ensure that human rights protection and verification take a central place in the process, he said.

"Those entrusted with leadership must be persons of integrity committed to the human rights protection of all," Paul said in a press statement.

However, he also warned that reconciliation should not mean that those who have violated human rights will be spared from punishment.

"While we appreciate the need for national reconciliation after years of war and repression, any future political agreement must not allow for impunity for those who have abused human rights in the past.

"Avoiding the truth about a country's past and ignoring accountability will not achieve peace."

He called for an end to the use of child soldiers and for the disarmament of human rights abusers in Afghanistan.

"Human rights monitors must be immediately deployed throughout Afghanistan and perpetrators should be brought to justice in accordance with fair international trial standards.

"Food aid and other humanitarian assistance must also be provided in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality," said Paul.

The United States launched strikes on Afghanistan on Oct 7 to nab Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden and destroy his al-Qaeda network, suspected of carrying out the Sept 11 attacks on New York City and Washington DC.

Osama is said to be currently hiding in the mountains in the Tora Bora region of eastern Afghanistan.