Afghanistan: Women, Peace and Security - Joint Security Council Media Stakeout | United Nations

Comments to the media by Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, and President of the Security Council for the month of September, joined by representatives of Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as Security Council signatories of the Statement of Shared Commitments for the Principles of Women, Peace and Security. Reading a joint press statement, Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon said that the “systematic and comprehensive nature” of the restrictions “on the exercise of human rights of women and girls” in Afghanistan “may amount to gender persecution and must stop now.” Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, joined by joined by representatives of Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America delivered today (18 Sep) a statement as Security Council signatories of the Statement of Shared Commitments for the Principles of Women, Peace and Security. She said, “There is no comparison for this situation anywhere around the world. Afghanistan is a state party to various human rights instruments, and it is therefore bound by relevant international obligations and commitments, and must comply with them, including the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.” She continued, “We condemn, once again, the issuance of more than 70 addicts and decrees restricting the enjoyment of the rights of women and girls issued by the Taliban, including the ban on education for women and girls beyond sixth grade, and codification and expansion of many of these restrictions with the so-called law on promotion of virtue and prevention of vice.” She also said, “This decision and the enforcement powers granted to inspectors extend and widen the already intolerable restrictions on the enjoyment of women's and girls' human rights and fundamental freedoms, including by completely erasing them from public life through silencing their voices.” She stressed, “These actions by the Taliban are further obstacle in efforts to have increased engagement between the Taliban and the international community towards improving the lives of the Afghan people.” She added, “Furthermore, we underline the importance of the work of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and demand the Taliban to let him fully carry out his mandate.” She concluded, “We also request the Secretary General of the United Nations to ensure that restrictions of women and girls are discussed in engagement with all Afghan political actors, including the Taliban.”