UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

49^th session

ID on High Commissioner's report on Afghanistan

07 March 2022

EU Intervention

Mr. President,

The EU would like to thank the High Commissioner for her important report on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.

We are deeply concerned about the HC’s report that documented dramatic regression of civil and political rights, with violations of freedom of opinion and expression, the right of peaceful assembly, the right to participate in public affairs and civic space. Journalists, human rights defenders, LGBTI persons, minorities and women’s and girls’ activists are at particular risk. The rights of women and girls are increasingly denied through the imposition of restrictive gender norms, practices and formal limitations, including the freedom of movement and access to health, education, employment, adequate standards of living and social protection. Former laws and institutions for the advancement of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights have been dismantled, leaving women and girls more vulnerable to exploitation and sexual and gender based violence. The participation of women in political and economic life has been systematically eroded. This documented backlash against women and girls’ rights and the observed lack of inclusiveness and representativeness do in no way comply with the expectations formulated by the international community in UNSC Resolution 2593.  

We are also concerned about reported  extra-judicial killings, including targeted and revenge killings, arbitrary detentions and torture, despite the proclaimed general amnesty by the Taliban-appointed caretaker cabinet.

Afghan women and girls, like all Afghans, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity and to enjoy the respect, protection, and fulfilment of all their human rights. The European Union will continue to cooperate closely with relevant local, regional and international actors in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries while holding the Taliban accountable to their commitments and to Afghanistan's international law obligations, especially with regards to the respect of human rights. The role of the UN Special Rapporteur and access to the country will be critical in this respect, particularly given the recent and worrisome travel ban imposed by the Taliban on Afghan nationals.