Today, before the UN Human Rights Council, the ICJ denounced the serious deterioration of human rights, especially of women and girls, and of the rule of law in Afghanistan, during the interactive dialogue on the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The ICJ was not able to read the statement during the interactive dialogue, due to the limited time provided for NGO statements.
The statement reads as follows:
“Mr President,
The rights of Afghan people, especially women and girls, have seriously deteriorated since the Taliban takeover.
Rule of law has essentially disappeared; Afghanistan’s judiciary, already weak, has been dismantled and replaced by brutal and arbitrary punishments justified by claims of religious law.
Women have little hope of receiving any form of justice, particularly for prevalent gender-based violence or for equal rights in family matters. The Talibans have deprived millions of women and girls of their rights to education and to work.
The Taliban’s systematic misogyny and their incorporation of figures subject to UN and national sanctions have aggravated short-sighted and punitive sanctions and financial restrictions that have collectively shattered the Afghan economy.
According to the WFP, 95% of the population faces food insecurity, and income dropped for 80% of households. The Taliban must reverse their discriminatory and dangerous policies and work with the UN and major donors to allow crucial humanitarian aid and support for the Afghan people.
The welcome appointment of a Special Rapporteur offers an opportunity to monitor the rights of Afghans more closely and to demand accountability for those who violate their rights.
It is crucial for the international community to protect the Afghan people and help them achieve a sustainable, just future.
I thank you.”
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949
