GENEVA — The European Union on Thursday strongly condemned the Taliban’s systematic human rights violations in Afghanistan, warning that the Taliban’s gender-based discrimination may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute, to which Afghanistan remains a party.
Speaking at the 58th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday, the EU expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s Policies of Vice and Virtue (PVPV) Law, which it said entrenches extreme forms of discrimination and codifies gender-based violence.
Citing findings from U.N. Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett’s latest study, the EU stated that the PVPV law is a core element of the Taliban’s ideology and official policy, further entrenching restrictions on education, freedom of expression, movement, peaceful assembly, and employment—particularly for women and girls.
The EU also called on the Taliban to respect Afghanistan’s international legal obligations, including under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Concerns over minority and LGBTI rights
Beyond the widespread oppression of women, the EU raised alarm over the deteriorating situation of ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Hazara community, as well as LGBTI persons, both of whom face heightened persecution under Taliban rule.
The EU reaffirmed its support for the mandates of the U.N. Special Rapporteur and the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and pressed Bennett to provide further insight into the role that men are required to play in enforcing the PVPV law and the long-term societal impact of these policies.
The statement comes as calls grow for stronger international accountability measures to address ongoing human rights abuses in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
GENEVA — The European Union on Thursday strongly condemned the Taliban’s systematic human rights violations in Afghanistan, warning that the Taliban’s gender-based discrimination may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute, to which Afghanistan remains a party.
Speaking at the 58th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday, the EU expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s Policies of Vice and Virtue (PVPV) Law, which it said entrenches extreme forms of discrimination and codifies gender-based violence.
Citing findings from U.N. Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett’s latest study, the EU stated that the PVPV law is a core element of the Taliban’s ideology and official policy, further entrenching restrictions on education, freedom of expression, movement, peaceful assembly, and employment—particularly for women and girls.
The EU also called on the Taliban to respect Afghanistan’s international legal obligations, including under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Concerns over minority and LGBTI rights
Beyond the widespread oppression of women, the EU raised alarm over the deteriorating situation of ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Hazara community, as well as LGBTI persons, both of whom face heightened persecution under Taliban rule.
The EU reaffirmed its support for the mandates of the U.N. Special Rapporteur and the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and pressed Bennett to provide further insight into the role that men are required to play in enforcing the PVPV law and the long-term societal impact of these policies.
The statement comes as calls grow for stronger international accountability measures to address ongoing human rights abuses in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
