EPA
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The United Nations Security Council calls on the Taliban to lift recent restrictions on Afghan women. In a statement, the United Nations body says the measures represent a growing loss of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The position of women in Afghanistan has come under further pressure this month. A week ago, the Taliban announced that female students would no longer be welcome in universities, after being banned from secondary schools earlier this year.
On Saturday, strict Islamic rulers banned Afghan women from working for foreign aid organizations. The UN Security Council fears that this measure will have a major impact on humanitarian work in Afghanistan, including that of the United Nations.
‘less severe’
The organization also points out that the restrictions are in stark contrast to the promises made by the Taliban shortly after they took power, when the group described itself as decidedly more moderate. The new leaders have therefore announced a less rigid policy than between 1996 and 2001, when they took power in Afghanistan. Women had almost no freedom of movement during that period.
The Taliban came to power last summer after 20 years of US military presence in Afghanistan. We have therefore made this explanatory video on the Islamic group:
The Taliban are ruling Afghanistan again, who are they and what do they want?
The women certainly had nothing to worry about, assured a Taliban spokesman in August last year. They would be treated equally, he said, at least under sharia, the strict Islamic law used by the Taliban.
Despite this, in the last year women have been deprived of all kinds of rights. They’ve had to do this since May cover face again when they take to the streets and therefore can no longer receive education.
Criticism
In addition to the UN Security Council, the highest UN official in Kabul also criticized the recent restrictions this week. Three foreign aid organizations active in Afghanistan have suspended their work there even up.
