The United Nations Security Council in a statement on Thursday reiterated its call for the Taliban to immediately halt and reverse their systemic abuses of human rights, particularly their discriminatory policies targeting women and girls in Afghanistan.
In a joint statement, signatories, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan, condemned the Taliban’s actions, which have eroded fundamental freedoms and access to education, work, and public life for Afghan women.
“These abuses must end. The Taliban must respect Afghanistan’s international obligations and commitments,” the statement emphasized, referencing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
The Security Council highlighted the catastrophic consequences of the Taliban’s recent suspension of medical education for women and girls, adding to a series of over 80 edicts designed to silence and erase women from society.
“The Taliban’s policies risk condemning Afghan women and girls to a life devoid of opportunities, with devastating implications for the future of Afghanistan,” the statement said.
Council members stressed the importance of including Afghan women in shaping the country’s future, calling their participation “indispensable” for peace, security, and development.
“We urge Member States and UN entities to promote a coherent approach toward the Taliban and to prioritize the rights and freedoms of all Afghans, particularly women and girls,” the statement concluded.
