In a resolution supported by 37 member states, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has urged the Taliban to reverse all policies and actions that violate the fundamental rights of women and girls. The Council stated that "systematic discrimination against women in Afghanistan must shake the conscience of humanity."
The resolution was adopted without a vote on Monday, October 5, during the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Council expressed its deep concern over the "severe, increasing, widespread, and systematic repression of all women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban," calling the situation "unbearable and unjustifiable."
The Council emphasized that the Taliban have built a social atmosphere based on fear and restriction by institutionalizing a system of discrimination, segregation, and exclusion of women and girls. The body called on the Taliban to immediately lift restrictions on freedom of assembly, education, work, and other fundamental rights.
The resolution, presented by 37 countries including European nations, Canada, and Chile, also extended the mandate of Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, for another year. This extension allows Mr. Bennett to continue monitoring and reporting on the grave human rights situation in the country.
UN experts have previously described the Taliban's policies as part of an "institutionalized" system of discrimination and have suggested that these policies could be examined under the framework of "gender apartheid." This term refers to severe segregation and oppression based on gender.
The adoption of this resolution coincided with the International Criminal Court's unsealing of arrest warrants for two Taliban ministers, who are being prosecuted for crimes against humanity due to gender persecution. These developments indicate increasing international pressure on the Taliban to be held accountable for their policies.
Source: UN Human Rights Council
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