By Martin Browne / GICJ
Taliban abuses that undermine women and girls enjoyment of fundamental rights was condemned by a resolution at the Human Rights Council's 51st Session. The Council agreed to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan by a year, with a request to focus on the current situation facing women and girls in Afghanistan. 29 voted in favour, with only 3 countries, led by China voting against.
One notable comment underlined the need for further reports on Afghanistan as this is the only country in the world in which girls are formally prohibited from attending secondary school.
Moreover, countries called for humanitarian assistance to continue to be provided to Afghan people. Critically, the recognised representative of the Afghanistan government-in-exile supported the resolution but called for even stronger action to be taken by states and the creation of a dedicated accountability mechanism capable of documenting every crime and human rights violation.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) supports the call for an Afghan-owned process for the establishment of a representative government. Until peace returns and the rights of women and girls are fully respected, all UN mechanisms should pay close attention to the situation in Afghanistan. Extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur is the least that the international community can do to help those suffering from a deteriorating human rights situation.
HRC51, Human Rights Council, Afghanistan, Taliban, Women's Right, Special Rapporteur, Human Rights, Violations, Geneva, Justice, Geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre for Justice
