International community voices deep concern about Afghan women, girls and their rights
Washington, Aug 18 (FN Agency) The US, UK along with 20 countries and the European Union have voiced deep concern about Afghan women and girls and their rights to education, work and freedom of movement in the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. In a joint statement, the countries have called on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to guarantee the protection of women and girls. It said that Afghan women and girls, and all Afghan people, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity and any form of discrimination and abuse should be prevented.
The countries said they are ready to assist them to ensure that their voices can be heard. “We are deeply worried about Afghan women and girls, their rights to education, work and freedom of movement. We call on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to guarantee their protection. “Afghan women and girls, as all Afghan people, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity. Any form of discrimination and abuse should be prevented. We in the international community stand ready to assist them with humanitarian aid and support, to ensure that their voices can be heard. “We will monitor closely how any future government ensures rights and freedoms that have become an integral part of the life of women and girls in Afghanistan during the last twenty years,” said the statement.
The signatories included: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, European Union, Honduras, Guatemala, North Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Senegal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. This follows a statement by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the reports of human rights violations against the women and girls of Afghanistan “who fear a return to the darkest days”. In a tweet, Guterres said: “I am deeply concerned by accounts of human rights violations against the women and girls of Afghanistan who fear a return to the darkest days. “They are looking to the international community for support. We must not let them down.” The Taliban have begun to establish their strict Sharia laws in Afghanistan, after the fundamentalist militia group took control of the country on Sunday, overthrowing the Ashraf Ghani government.