“We hope that this Urgent Debate at the Human Rights Council can help bring further attention to the tragedy of half of the Afghan population being denied its rights to fully, equally and meaningfully participate in society. It’s simply a drama that millions of girls have their future jeopardised by the Taliban’s decision of not allowing them to be taught, to learn, and to prepare for their future lives.”  Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, Head of the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva

“Afghan women must be given the opportunity to speak out and participate in shaping the country’s future. We are therefore particularly pleased to see a large engagement of Afghan women and civil society representatives speaking up in today’s Council debate. Their voices must be heard, ” Ambassador Knudsen said.

The systematic erosion of the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan is the result of the adoption of measures and policies by the Taliban, aiming to erase women and girls from public life. Recent measures on women’s appearance in public along with new punishments for family members to enforce compliance with these restrictions, as well as the recent announcement requiring women only to leave home when necessary are but examples of this process.

Afghanistan must implement its commitment to the enjoyment of all human rights of all women and girls, in accordance with the State’s obligations under international human rights law. The risks of further instability and suffering in Afghanistan may be mitigated if action is taken swiftly to address the violations and abuses suffered by women and girls in Afghanistan. But Afghanistan will only be in a position to overcome the challenges ahead if it does not deprive itself of the strength of half its population.

As a follow-up to the Urgent Debate the European Union also submitted a resolution at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, which requests the convening of a panel discussion on the human rights situation in Afghanistan during HRC51. The resolution was adopted on Friday, 8 July 2022 by the Council.