A United Nations expert has urged the Taliban to lift its ban on women staff and contractors entering UN premises in Afghanistan. This call comes as the Taliban’s measures are condemned as violations of fundamental human rights and UN principles of equality. Susan Ferguson, the UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan, emphasized the potential consequences of this ban, particularly in light of recent earthquakes that have devastated parts of the country.
In early November, a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Balkh and Samangan provinces, resulting in over 25 fatalities and injuring more than 1,000 people. Ferguson warned that the ban threatens essential services for those affected, especially women and children who rely on assistance for food, clean water, and healthcare. Despite the restrictions, women have continued to work from their homes and communities, providing crucial support to returnees from Pakistan and Iran.
The Taliban’s decision to bar women from entering UN facilities in Kabul was enforced by security forces, prompting severe backlash from rights organizations and the UN. Critics argue that this act is a serious breach of “international rules on the privileges and immunities of the organization’s personnel.” Article 55(c) of the UN Charter mandates universal respect for human rights, prohibiting discrimination based on sex, race, language, or religion.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, the status of women in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, highlighted how the Taliban has employed legal measures to suppress women’s rights, effectively weaponizing the law and committing acts considered crimes against humanity. Bennett specifically criticized the removal of approximately 270 women judges, who were replaced by male counterparts, reflecting the regime’s hardline ideology.
The Taliban’s actions stand in stark contrast to the protections afforded to women under Afghanistan’s 2004 Constitution, which included laws against rape, forced marriage, and various forms of violence. Bennett noted that these protections have been systematically dismantled since the regime’s return to power.
As international condemnation mounts, the urgency for action grows. The UN and various rights groups continue to advocate for the rights of Afghan women, calling for the Taliban to adhere to its obligations under international law. The situation remains critical as humanitarian needs escalate due to recent natural disasters and ongoing systemic discrimination against women.
The UN’s commitment to human rights is underscored by its historic actions, such as the adoption of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on December 9, 1948. The global community watches closely as calls for change in Afghanistan intensify, with hopes that fundamental rights can be restored for all citizens, especially women.
