The European Union has welcomed the report from the OSCE Secretary General on Afghanistan, emphasizing the vulnerability of Afghan women.
“The OSCE, with its comprehensive concept of security and extensive experience in Central Asia, is playing a crucial role in mitigating risks, addressing vulnerabilities, and pursuing opportunities related to the situation in Afghanistan,” the E.U. said in a statement.
The statement expressed grave concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and severe human rights violations by the Taliban, particularly against women. It noted that women and girls continue to be excluded from public life and denied their basic rights, including education, work, and freedom of movement.
“The institutionalization of large-scale and systematic gender-based discrimination by the Taliban increasingly places women and girls in Afghanistan, as well as Afghan society as a whole, in an extremely vulnerable position,” the E.U. said, citing the OSCE report.
The E.U. warned that these systemic violations against women and girls may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, of which Afghanistan is a state party.
“The full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls and their equal and meaningful participation in society are not only goals in themselves but also prerequisites for sustainable economic and political development, social cohesion, stability, and peace,” the statement added.
The E.U. reiterated its condemnation of the Taliban’s systematic human rights violations and abuses and called on the group to respect all human rights, especially those of women, girls, and minorities, including ethnic and religious groups.
The statement also highlighted the cooperation between the E.U. and the OSCE on an E.U.-funded project aimed at stabilizing Tajikistan’s southern border region with Afghanistan.
