France Condemns Taliban’s Violations of Human Rights and Calls for Reversal of Women’s Rights Restrictions in Afghanistan

Two years after the fall of Kabul and the takeover by force by the Taliban in August 2021, France continues to follow with the greatest concern the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the multiplication of violations of human rights. ‘Man in Afghanistan. Despite their commitments, it is clear that the decisions taken by the Taliban over the past two years illustrate their failure to respect the expectations of the international community formulated by resolution 2593 of the United Nations Security Council. We continue and will continue to use all the levers at our disposal to seek to improve the lot of Afghans by stepping up the pressure on the Taliban.

France reiterates in particular its strongest condemnation of the attacks on the rights of women and girls by the Taliban, in particular the decision taken in December 2022 to ban women from going to university and working in NGOs. We call on the Taliban to reverse these unacceptable decisions, which exclude half of the Afghan population from the public sphere and jeopardize the country’s prospects for economic and social development.

Through the action of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and in particular the crisis and support centre, France continues to support the Afghan population through the pursuit of concrete humanitarian projects carried out by UN agencies and NGOs present in the field, particularly in the areas of education and health. We are committed to supporting women human rights defenders present in Afghanistan, who are threatened because of their commitment in their country, by offering them reception in France, material support, accompaniment, training and network. France will not compromise on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women.