KABUL, Afghanistan – At the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC 51) in Geneva Monday, the Special Envoy of the European Union for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson said the Taliban have failed to uphold any promises made, recalling Afghanistan is a party to the Rome Statute.
The remarks came at a time global leaders – including international community – have raised concern over increasing number of violation against human rights and girls education under the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.
“The EU remains deeply alarmed by the increase of human rights violations and abuses and international humanitarian law violations in Afghanistan,” said the European Union in a statement. “Accountability must be ensured and, in this regard, we recall that Afghanistan is a party to the Rome Statute.”
While the school for grade six girls and above remained close since the beginning of the school year in March, the EU reiterates its commitment to equal opportunity for Afghan women and girls in all spheres of life.
“The situation of women and girls’ rights continues to deteriorate,” the statement reads. “The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to the full, equal and meaningful participation of all women and girls in all spheres of life in Afghanistan, as well as to their protection from all forms of violence.”
Furthermore, the statement exclaimed that persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities and groups, LGBTI persons, human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers suffer killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, physical abuse and torture are unacceptable.
“The shrinking space for civil society and restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms remain a primary concern,” the statement added.
The EU has defined five benchmarks as principles for engaging with the Taliban.. So far, the Taliban have failed to uphold any promises made. The EU call on the Taliban to enable the full implementation of the human rights mandate of the UNAMA.
The 51st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC51) is taking place in Geneva and online from 12 September to 7 October 2022.
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KEEP READING:
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- Blinken Gauges Taliban Promises on Girls Education in Afghanistan
- Taliban Leader Calls for Implementation of Sharia Law in Afghanistan
- UNAMA Negotiates with Taliban Gov’t to Reopen Girls School
Meanwhile, the so-called Islamic Emirate rule has repeatedly defied the international community, saying its leadership has “fulfilled all the promises it made with the United States in the Doha Agreement.”
“The Islamic Emirate does not allow anyone to use the territory of Afghanistan against the United States and its allies,” said Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Zabihullah Mujahid in a thread. “In addition, IEA is also committed to providing all the Shariah rights of its citizens.”
Reflecting on the overall security of the country, the spokesman said a “peaceful atmosphere” has been created in the country, where women and men could rightfully take part on Afghanistan’s development.
“In Afghanistan, a normal life and peaceful atmosphere has been created for women and men, and the rights of all minorities are maintained,” he said. “Moreover, the system and way of life in Afghanistan are issues related to Afghans.”
Previously the United States and Russia have said that it is still too early to decide whether to recognize the Islamic Emirate until it meets the conditions of the international community, which are focused on humans rights and inclusivity of the Afghan government.
