UNITED NATIONS: Heather Barr, the Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, has announced that a significant Human Rights Council meeting is scheduled to convene in Geneva this September.
The meeting holds crucial importance, especially given the pressing issues surrounding Afghanistan. Barr anticipates that a range of topics will be addressed, including the renewal of the mandate for the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan.
Heather Barr communicated to TOLOnews the paramount significance of the upcoming council meeting. Among the agenda items, she highlighted the decision to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur responsible for monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Afghanistan. Additionally, she noted a key recommendation stemming from a joint report by the special rapporteur and the working group. This recommendation pertains to the need for states to address the issue of gender apartheid and its potential implications in Afghanistan. Barr expressed her curiosity about the council’s stance on this recommendation.
Furthermore, Barr emphasized another critical aspect that Human Rights Watch and various other human rights organizations have been advocating for. They’ve been tirelessly urging the establishment of a distinct UN-mandated mechanism aimed at gathering and preserving evidence of human rights violations occurring in Afghanistan. This mechanism would serve as a robust means of documenting and ultimately addressing these violations.
In parallel with these developments, numerous women’s rights activists have voiced their concerns and called for tangible actions from the UN regarding human rights issues in Afghanistan, with a special emphasis on women’s rights. Mina, an outspoken women’s rights advocate, questioned the effectiveness of current programs, labelling them as symbolic and urging for substantial, impactful measures.
Alamtab Rasouli, another women’s rights activist, stressed the importance of the UN’s meetings on human rights, advocating for practical actions rather than mere theoretical discussions. The activists yearn for concrete progress in the realization of human rights in Afghanistan.
Conversely, the Islamic Emirate has offered a different perspective on the international discussions concerning Afghanistan. They emphasize the significance of recognizing the accomplishments made under their governance, highlighting the end of a prolonged 44-year war and the advancements in various sectors, including the economy.
