UN denounces erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan

Kabul, Dec 10 (EFE).- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Friday denounced an “erosion” of women’s rights since the Taliban seized power in August.

“Commitments made by the Taliban to protect the rights of all Afghans have yet to be met. Women and girls in particular have witnessed an erosion of their rights since 15 August 2021,” UNAMA said in a statement issued on International Human Rights Day.

Although the fundamentalist regime has insisted that women will be able to return to their jobs and girls to schools in the future, they have yet to take steps to deliver on their promises.

In practice, the Taliban has prevented the reopening of secondary schools for girls and closed government offices for female employees.

The group must “demonstrate their support for the rights of every Afghan,” the UN mission urged.

“The principles of equality and non-discrimination are paramount for the enjoyment of human rights by all. We call upon the Taliban to make this principle a day-to-day reality in Afghanistan,” Deborah Lyons, the secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan, said.

UNAMA also said it was “deeply concerned by credible reports in recent months of killings, the use of violence against and forced disappearances of former members of the Afghan security services, government and civil society, including protesters, media workers, human rights defenders and minorities.”

Last week, Human Rights Watch reported that the Taliban has executed or forcibly disappeared more than 100 former police and intelligence officials since coming to power.

Despite promises of change by the Taliban compared to their regime between 1996 and 2001, which was marked by their strict interpretation of Sharia (Islamic law), international organizations have expressed concern about possible human rights violations in Afghanistan. EFE

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