The European Union said it was “particularly concerned” on Sunday at the deterioration of the living conditions of women and girls in Afghanistan, the day after the violent repression of a women’s demonstration in Kabul.
On Saturday, the Taliban had fired into the air many times, and in particular used the butts of their rifles to hit women who were demonstrating to ask for “bread, work and freedom”. Some were chased into shops where they had taken refuge and beaten.
The Taliban have imposed increasing restrictions on women since they returned to power a year ago on Monday, August 15, 2021.
“The European Union is particularly concerned about the fate of Afghan women and girls, who are systematically deprived of their freedoms, their rights and their access to basic services such as education”, writes the head of European diplomacy. Josep Borrell in a statement.
“The EU reiterates that Afghanistan must adhere to the treaties signed by this country, including supporting and protecting the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of all Afghans, and allowing them to participate fully and equally and meaningful to the government of the country,” he adds.
The press release also recalls that any humanitarian aid to Afghanistan depends on the respect by the Taliban of the basic principles of human rights, “in particular the rights of women and girls, children, and minorities”.
He also stresses that “Afghanistan should not be a threat to the security of another country”.
The Taliban have assured that they are not aware of the presence in their country of the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, whom the United States announced on August 2 to have killed in Kabul with a drone shot.
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