International criticism of Taliban restrictions on women (AFP)
exhort United Nations Security CouncilThe Taliban withdrew from policies against women and girls in Afghanistan on Tuesday, expressing concern over the “growing erosion” of human rights in the country.
In the latest blow to women’s rights since the takeover The Taliban Back in power last year, the Taliban told all NGOs on Saturday to stop their female employees or else their licenses will be revoked.
The Taliban has previously banned university education for women and secondary education for girls.
The United Nations Security Council said in a statement it was “deeply concerned” about the growing restrictions on women’s education, calling for “the full, equitable and meaningful participation of women and girls in education”. Afghanistan“.
He urged the Taliban to “reopen schools and quickly reverse these policies and practices, which represent a growing erosion of respect.” human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In its statement, the council also condemned the ban on women working in non-governmental organisations, warning of the negative impact on relief efforts in a country whose population is dependent on aid.
“These restrictions contradict the commitments made by the Taliban to the Afghan people, as well as the expectations of the international community,” he said.
For his part, described the Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres The recent restrictions on women and girls are “unjustified violations of human rights” and “should be lifted”.
The international community had made respect for women’s rights a focal point in negotiations with the Taliban government for recognition and aid.
And the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned on Tuesday that the Taliban should reverse its policy towards women in Afghanistan, condemning the “terrible” repercussions of these trends.
“No country can develop and survive, socially and economically, without half its population,” Turk said in a statement.
“These incomprehensible restrictions on women and girls will not only increase the suffering of Afghans, but I fear they will also pose a danger that goes beyond Afghanistan’s borders,” he said.
He stressed that the policies threaten to destabilize Afghan society.
“The final decision of the de facto authorities will have terrible repercussions for women and for the entire Afghan people,” Türk said.
“Preventing women from working in non-governmental organizations will deprive them and their families of their income and their right to contribute positively to the development of their country and the well-being of their partners at home,” she added.
The decision comes against the backdrop of exposure to women’s rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power.
Türk also said the ban “if not destroyed, will greatly undermine” these NGOs’ ability to provide basic services, especially during the Afghan winter.
Several foreign aid organizations on Sunday announced the suspension of their activities in Afghanistan.
In November, the movement banned women from public parks, gardens, gyms and swimming pools.
“Women and girls cannot be deprived of their inherent rights,” Türk said, adding, “Attempts by the de facto authorities to silence and block them will not be successful.”
(AFP)
