The Diplomat
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has added his signature to an international statement against “new restrictions on the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.”
In the joint statement, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and the United Kingdom and by the High Representative of the European Union for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, are “deeply concerned by the continuing restrictions on girls’ access to education in Afghanistan” and “deeply disappointed by the increased restrictions imposed by the Taliban that affect the human rights of Afghan women.”
“Afghan women and girls contribute significantly to shaping the future of Afghanistan,” the signatories warn. “Achieving peace, stability and economic development in the country require their equal participation in shaping Afghanistan’s future,” the statement continues.
“The Taliban’s directive requiring women and girls to cover their faces in public and not to leave their homes except in case of necessity, and accompanied by a man, restricts their human rights, which are universal and inalienable,” it continues. “We also deplore the fact that their families may be punished for enforcing compliance with these restrictions,” it adds.
According to the manifesto, “women in Afghanistan should be free to choose their own way of expressing themselves in accordance with their religion and should not be restricted in their freedom of movement or participation in society.” “The international community cannot consider the recent restrictions as an isolated event,” the statement warns. “The Taliban have taken other measures that restrict the human rights of women and girls,” it adds.
“Among the human rights violated are the right to education, to work, to freedom of movement, opinion and expression,” violations that “contradict the assurances the Taliban have repeatedly given about respect for the human rights of all Afghans,” the foreign officials denounce. “All Afghans should be able to enjoy their human rights, which are indivisible, inalienable, as stated in the international instruments on fundamental human rights accepted by all members of the United Nations,” they continue.
Therefore, “we call on the Taliban to reconsider their decisions that limit the rights of women and girls so that they can make their own decisions, access education, work and participate equally in society”. In addition, the signatory ministers call on the Taliban “to respect the right to education and fulfill their commitment to reopen schools for all girls.” “We will continue to hold the Taliban according to their actions, not their words,” the joint communiqué concluded.
