UNITED NATIONS: The European Union has condemned systematic, institutionalised discrimination and repression against women and girls in Afghanistan, warning that the Taliban’s violations of their fundamental rights may constitute crimes against humanity.
The European Union expressed concern over the worsening human rights situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.
In a statement, the EU called on the Taliban regime to end restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan.
At the Third Committee of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the EU welcomed the latest report by the UN Special Rapporteur, Richard Bennett, on human rights in Afghanistan, saying it documented the country’s deteriorating human rights situation.
The EU said Bennett’s report also highlighted the devastating impact of Taliban regime policies on children and young people, particularly girls, children and children with disabilities.
In its statement, the EU said Afghan women and girls continue to be denied their fundamental rights, including education, employment, freedom of movement and participation in public life.
The EU stressed that these systematic and structural violations of women’s and girls’ rights may constitute gender-based persecution, a crime classified as a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The EU also criticised the increasing use of corporal punishment and public floggings, urging the Taliban regime to suspend executions and ultimately abolish the death penalty.
It described these practices as violations of human dignity and contrary to international human rights standards.
The statement also condemned the repression of civil society and independent media, calling on the Taliban regime to end arbitrary detentions, intimidation, censorship and interference in media activities.
The EU further emphasised the need to protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities and other vulnerable groups.
The EU’s statement comes after Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, recently told the General Assembly that the Taliban regime had shown no indication of changing its policies. Instead, he said, the group had intensified pressure on women, girls and other Afghan citizens by introducing further restrictions.
The EU reiterated that Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where women and girls are barred from continuing their education beyond the age of 12.
The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting accountability and justice, including through the International Criminal Court.
The statement said the EU supports an Afghan-led political process that includes all Afghans and guarantees the full, equal and meaningful participation of women.
