EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue on human rights in Afghanistan

Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for his latest report, which reviews the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban. We extend our deepest condolences to the Afghan people following the recent devastating earthquakes, and note that increasing cuts to aid further deepen the humanitarian crisis.

The EU strongly condemns the ongoing human rights violations and abuses by the Taliban, particularly the institutionalised and grave gender-based discrimination against women and girls, including the denial of their rights to education, freedom of expression, movement, and work, and their exclusion from public and social life. These systematic and systemic violations of women and girls’ rights may amount to gender persecution, which is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the ICC, to which Afghanistan is a State party.

We call on the Taliban to immediately impose a moratorium and abolish the use of the death penalty, and also deplore the alarming increase in corporal punishment. Reports of at least 681 individuals subjected to public flogging this year point to gross violations of human dignity and international human rights law.

The EU calls for the protection of the human rights of persons belonging to minorities, including ethnic and religious minorities, and persons in vulnerable situations, including LGBTI persons. We also call for unhindered humanitarian access and the removal of all barriers that prevent aid from reaching those most in need.

We condemn the systematic repression of civil society and independent media, including the recent 48-hour internet shutdown, and urge the Taliban to cease all acts of violence, arbitrary detention, intimidation, censorship and media interference.

An Afghan-led political process inclusive of all Afghans, with full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls, persons belonging to minorities, and persons in vulnerable situations is required to ensure sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.

The EU is at the forefront of addressing accountability gaps in Afghanistan. We had the honour to lead the resolution at the Human Rights Council establishing a new Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan. This mechanism is a vital step towards in ending impunity, delivering justice for victims, and contributing to accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations. We now call for sustained political and financial support to ensure its full and effective operationalisation. 

In this context we ask: How can States best support the newly established IIM for Afghanistan and ensure complementarity with the mandate of the Special Rapporteur?

Thank you.