Kabul, Feb 9 (IANS): Presidential candidates' positions on human rights should be a central focus in the run-up to the April presidential election in Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch said Sunday.

Four of the 11 candidates in the April 5 election responded to a Human Rights Watch questionnaire on key human rights challenges. Topics covered include accountability for war crimes, women's rights, and torture.

"The four presidential candidates who responded to this survey deserve credit for sharing their views on these critically important issues," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"Afghan voters need to know what commitments the prospective future presidents of Afghanistan are willing to make to address torture, women's rights, militias and accountability."

The Human Rights Watch survey of Afghan presidential candidates is part of a broader effort in Afghanistan to assess candidates' views on key human rights issues.