KABUL (Pajhwok): The caretaker government’s latest actions against women and girls deepen existing flagrant violations of their human rights and freedoms, say UN experts.
The Taliban actions, already the most draconian globally, could amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity, the experts said in a statement from the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Office.
In a statement, the UN experts noted: “In recent months, violations of women and girls’ fundamental rights and freedoms in Afghanistan, already the most severe and unacceptable in the world, have sharply increased.”
While girls remained excluded from secondary education, the experts said, women had been barred from entering public places such as parks and gyms.
Banning women’s access to parks also denied children the opportunity for leisure and exercise and their right to engage in recreational activities, they added.
Confining women to their homes, according to them, is like imprisonment that could be leading to increased levels of domestic violence and mental health challenges.
Women human rights defenders peacefully protesting against increased restrictions on women and girls had been targeted, beaten, and arrested for months, the statement continued.
On November 3, it regretted, a press conference was disrupted and attendees detained. Activist Zarifa Yaquobi and four men remain detained by the intelligence department.
“We are deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the arrested human rights defenders, and remind the Taliban that arresting people for exercising their fundamental rights is unlawful and constitutes arbitrary detention.”
These actions, together with previous discriminatory measures against women and girls, should be investigated as gender persecution with a view to prosecutions under international law, the experts demanded.
They called on the Taliban to:
Abide by all international human rights obligations and commitments incumbent upon Afghanistan, fully implement the human rights standards that Afghanistan has freely accepted, including respecting the rights of girls and women to education, employment and participation in public and cultural life.
Immediately and unconditionally release Zarifa Yaquobi and the four men detained with her, or make the reasons for their continued detention public and allow contact with their respective families and lawyers.
Respect the fundamental rights of women and men to associate and assemble without intimidation and attacks. Instead of arresting and repressing women for asking for their human rights, the Taliban must hear and respond to their legitimate concerns.
Repeal the edict that punishes male family members for perceived transgressions of women and girls.
Immediately open all secondary schools for girls and ensure their continued access to university education.
Immediately remove the restrictions on women and girls from accessing all public locations.
The experts went on to urge the international community to:
Demand the reversal of restrictions on women and girls and ensure respect and protection of women’s rights is central to all discussions with the Taliban de facto authorities.
Take steps to investigate and prosecute those responsible in Afghanistan for gender persecution in appropriate international and extra-territorial jurisdictions.
Increase support to Afghan human rights defenders, especially women and girls
Promote and provide safe platforms for women to engage in decision making processes on Afghanistan.”
pr/mud
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