United Nations experts have called on national and international sports organizations to take decisive action against the Taliban’s ban on women and girls participating in sports in Afghanistan, describing the prohibition as part of the regime’s “institutionalized” system of gender discrimination and oppression that “may amount to crimes against humanity.”
In a statement, the experts condemned the nearly three-year-long ban as an “unacceptable abrogation of rights,” noting that no other country imposes such restrictions on women’s participation in sports. Despite the ban, Afghan women athletes living in exile are set to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympics, either as part of the Afghanistan team or the refugee team, thanks to the efforts of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“It is essential that inspiring and talented Afghan women athletes are seen at the pinnacle of sports in Paris, as well as in other competitions, especially when they are being eviscerated from public life in their home country,” the experts said. “Their participation stands as a powerful counter to the Taliban’s systematic oppression and exclusion of women and girls.”
The statement noted that at least six athletes, including three women, will represent Afghanistan in the 2024 Paris Olympics, while five others from Afghanistan will compete as part of the refugee team.
The experts revealed that they had sent a letter to the IOC, urging increased support and resources for Afghan women athletes from the entire Olympic movement, including International Sports Federations and National Olympic Committees. They expressed concern that some members of the Olympic Movement may be failing to uphold their own commitments to equal and non-discriminatory participation for women and girls.
“The appalling deprivation of the rights and dignity of Afghan women and girls, including through their exclusion from sport in Afghanistan, must end,” the experts asserted. “Culture should not be used as a pretext to violate human rights, including the right to participate in sports.”
They emphasized the responsibility of international sports bodies to challenge the Taliban’s oppressive policies and support Afghan female athletes wherever they are. “These organizations must refrain from any actions that could be seen as complicity with these discriminatory and illegal policies,” the experts said.
The statement also praised the IOC for its efforts to ensure Afghan female athletes could participate in the Olympics.
