Top officials condemned the Taliban’s ban on Afghan women working for the UN
In statements on Wednesday, Secretary-General António Guterres was joined by Deputy Chief Amina Mohammed, describing the new presentation of the violence of the authorities of women, as a violation of fundamental human rights that cannot be negotiated.
“It is also violates Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights lawwe had infringes on the principle of non-exclusionwhich is an important foundation that supports the United Nations Charter,” said Mr. Guterres, in a statement issued by his spokesman.
Rights violations increased
Since Afghanistan’s democratically elected government in August 2021, Taliban leaders have steadily curtailed the rights of women and girls in public life, introducing a ban on higher education, higher education, working for non-governmental organizations, and their rights to freedom of movement.
Bans are already in force preventing them from working, studying, and traveling without male leaders.
‘Essential’ to life-saving services
The UN chief said that female staff members are “vital” for all UN operations, which are led by the UNAMA National Assistance Committee, and which include the delivery of life-saving aid.
“The order of this decision it will harm the Afghan people, millions of people need this help,” the statement said. “Secretary General Calls on the Taliban to withdraw immediately decision and reversing all measures that restrict women and girls’ right to work, education and freedom of movement.”
Speaking to the media at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday before the announcement of the sustainable development report, the Under-Secretary-General recalled that he had met many women who were facing restrictions and the loss of their lives, in visit to Afghanistan at the beginning of the year.
‘Take all measures’ to support women workers
“We reiterate that Afghan women and men are essential to all aspects of our work,” he said, adding that the UN “is take all possible measures now to support the female workforce of our country in this difficult time.”
He said that female UN staff will continue to receive their salaries, but until further information is received, all staff of the country – both men and women – are being sought. told not to report to the office.
He said that he had participated in a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the authorities early Wednesday morning, and agreed that the UN leader would do it. “continues to engage” with Taliban representatives, “as well as its neighboring countries” to solve new human rights violations.
An OCHA official talks with displaced women in the eastern province of Nangahar in Afghanistan.
The worst injury
The President of the General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, also criticized the move, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the human rights of women and girls.
“Them The consequences of this decision will harm the people of Afghanistan, especially the most vulnerable sections of the population“, he said, noting that Afghanistan needs to be on the road to sustainable development, “and for this, it should fully mobilize the country’s power.”
‘Absolutely ridiculous’
UN humanitarian chief Volker Türk described the latest erosion of rights for women in Afghanistan as an “utterly despicable” move.
“This is a plan, an unrelenting attack on the Afghan people as a whole by the Taliban”, he said, who he said seemed to be “working to weaken, intimidate and threaten half of the population.”
He called on the leadership to rethink all the restrictive policies made to curb women’s rights,”for the future of the country.”
