Urgent Debate at the Human Rights Council on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan

Upon the request of the European Union, the Human Rights Council holds today an Urgent Debate on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, which has seen a staggering deterioration since August 2021.

“Afghan women must be given the opportunity to speak out and participate in shaping the country’s future. We are therefore particularly pleased to see a large engagement of Afghan women and civil society representatives speaking up in today’s Council debate. Their voices must be heard, ” Ambassador Knudsen said.

The systematic erosion of the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan is the result of the adoption of measures and policies by the Taliban, aiming to erase women and girls from public life. Recent measures on women’s appearance in public along with new punishments for family members to enforce compliance with these restrictions, as well as the recent announcement requiring women only to leave home when necessary are but examples of this process.

 

European Union calling for the immediate re-opening of secondary schools for girls

 

Afghanistan must implement its commitment to the enjoyment of all human rights of all women and girls, in accordance with the State’s obligations under international human rights law. The risks of further instability and suffering in Afghanistan may be mitigated if action is taken swiftly to address the violations and abuses suffered by women and girls in Afghanistan. But Afghanistan will only be in a position to overcome the challenges ahead if it does not deprive itself of the strength of half its population.

More information: Delegation of the European Union to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva