Afghanistan Peace Campaign
A source at Germany’s Foreign Ministry told Afghanistan International that Berlin, together with international partners, is pursuing efforts to hold the Taliban accountable for violations of women’s rights.
The German Foreign Ministry official said initial legal steps had been taken under Article 29 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
According to the source, Germany supports international mechanisms, including the UN-led Doha process, aimed at improving the human rights situation in Afghanistan.
The German official stressed that the country would continue its efforts to ensure Afghanistan fulfils its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry added that, together with Australia, Canada and the Netherlands, it had taken the first necessary steps under Article 29 of the convention and had contacted the Taliban administration.
Legal Process at the International Court of Justice
Australia had previously also announced that it was pursuing the legal process.
A spokesman for Australia’s Foreign Ministry told Afghanistan International that Canberra, in cooperation with Germany, Canada and the Netherlands, was pursuing legal action to hold the Taliban accountable for widespread violations of the rights of women and girls.
Under Article 29 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, disputes between member states over the interpretation or application of the convention can, after specified procedures, be referred to arbitration and ultimately to the International Court of Justice.
In September 2024, Germany, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands jointly announced that they had initiated legal proceedings under Article 29 of the convention and called on the Taliban administration to enter into dialogue over the matter.
The Rawadari human rights organisation and several other civil society groups have also recently launched campaigns urging the countries that initiated the process to continue with their commitments and legal action.
More than 20 countries have backed the move by Germany, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands to use the mechanism provided under Article 29 of the convention. They include Spain, Sweden, Belgium and South Korea.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, sweeping restrictions have been imposed on the rights and freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Girls are barred from education beyond sixth grade, while women and girls are also prohibited from attending universities.
Women have also been excluded from many areas of public and social life, with broad restrictions imposed on their employment and freedom of movement.
In several cases, women and girls have been detained or questioned for failing to comply with Taliban dress requirements.
Human rights organisations have described the Taliban’s policies as a clear example of gender apartheid.
The Taliban has previously rejected allegations of human rights violations and discrimination against women, saying citizens’ rights in Afghanistan are protected within the framework of Sharia law and that no one is discriminated against.