That this House congratulates the Government on its support of UN Security Council Resolution 1510, authorising an expansion of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; notes that an expanded mandate will allow ISAF to support the Afghan Transitional Authority and its successors in the maintenance of security outside of Kabul, enabling the Afghan authorities as well as reconstruction and humanitarian personnel to operate in a secure environment; further notes the continuing threat from warlords and the heroin trade; regrets the difficulties faced by the ATA and the international community to date in establishing the rule of law in many parts of the country and the consequent loss of life including aid workers; further regrets the ongoing abuse of women's rights as documented in the recent Amnesty International report, 'No-one listens to us and no-one treats us as human beings': Justice denied to women; and calls on the Government to make additional resources available to enable a significant and rapid expansion of ISAF beyond Kabul.

That this House congratulates the Government on its support of UN Security Council Resolution 1510, authorising an expansion of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; notes that an expanded mandate will allow ISAF to support the Afghan Transitional Authority and its successors in the maintenance of security...

That this House believes that security is a prerequisite for the reconstruction of Afghanistan; notes the recent comments of the UN Secretary General that 'the most serious challenge facing Afghanistan and the Afghans today remains the lack of security'; supports the view of the Afghan Transitional Authority and the UN Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi that the expansion of ISAF is the best way to improve security across Afghanistan; recognises that this request has gone unanswered by the international community; calls on the UK Government to explore ways of extending the ISAF effect beyond Kabul with a clear mandate for peace and with soldiers trained for this task and clearly distinguished from aid workers by the wearing of uniform; further calls upon the Government to continue to play its part in providing the necessary resources to rebuild Afghanistan, thereby enhancing the role of the Afghan Transitional Authority and fulfilling its own welcome commitment to Afghanistan for the long-haul.

That this House believes that security is a prerequisite for the reconstruction of Afghanistan; notes the recent comments of the UN Secretary General that 'the most serious challenge facing Afghanistan and the Afghans today remains the lack of security'; supports the view of the Afghan Transitional Authority and the UN...

That this House notes with alarm reports of escalating violence in areas of Afghanistan not patrolled by the International Security Assistance Force and statements made on behalf of non-governmental organisations involved in Afghan relief that it is becoming almost impossible for many non-governmental organisations to work effectively in Northern areas due to repeated attacks, hijacks and looting; further notes that in one incident a French female aid worker was gang-raped and her Afghan driver severely beaten; further notes that reports of intimidation and attacks on Afghan women are also increasing; believes that the international community must respond to calls from the President of Afghanistan, women's organisations in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom offices of Care International, Afghan Aid, Merlin, OXFAM, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision, Womankind Worldwide and the United Kingdom Women's Link with Afghan Women to extend the mandate of ISAF outside Kabul and in the first instance to the Mazar area; further notes that the United Kingdom's leadership of ISAF was very well received in Afghanistan and that the Secretary of State for Defence has said that United Kingdom troops could be returned in an emergency; further believes that such an emergency now exists; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to do all in its power to seek agreement from the United States of America and UN for an extended mandate for ISAF to ensure that progress to peace and democracy is not fundamentally undermined by the resumption of violence.

That this House notes with alarm reports of escalating violence in areas of Afghanistan not patrolled by the International Security Assistance Force and statements made on behalf of non-governmental organisations involved in Afghan relief that it is becoming almost impossible for many non-governmental organisations to work effectively in Northern areas...