Afghanistan Peace CampaignHowever, the Islamic Emirate called these reports propaganda, saying they will find ways to better ensure women’s rights.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report that “Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are committing the crime against humanity of gender persecution against women and girls.”
According to report, since taking over the country in August 2021, “the Taliban have imposed laws and policies intended to deny women and girls throughout the country their fundamental rights because of their gender.”
“The Taliban’s cruel and methodical denial of the basic rights of women and girls to remove them from public life has received global attention,” said Elizabeth Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch. “Coordinated support by concerned governments is needed to bring the Taliban leaders responsible to justice.”
“Human Rights Watch has issued a report today finding that the Taliban have committed crimes of gender prosecution in Afghanistan against women and girls. Gender prosecution is a crime against humanity. Other organizations have also reached the same finding, those organizations include Amnesty International, International Committee of Jurists. The international criminal court can bring charges and prosecute people and send them to prison ultimately,” said Heather Barr, director of Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch.
However, the Islamic Emirate called these reports propaganda, saying they will find ways to better ensure women’s rights.
“Institutions and groups occasionally engage in propaganda against Afghanistan and make false claims. No one’s rights had been neglected, and all citizens’ Shariah rights have been given,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
Some women’s rights activists asked the Islamic Emirate to ensure the rights of work and education for women in the country.
“The government should uphold international norms, and accept international laws. Those regarding the education of women and girls, is crucial. They should resolve these issues,” said Suraya Paikan, a women’s rights activist.
In the meantime, Freedom Now non-profit organization said on X that “so far, the Taliban issued over 64 directives, erasing women from public life. We stand in solidarity with Afghan women as they bravely fight for their rights and call on the international community for urgent action in responding to the human rights crisis in Afghanistan.”