The European Union and the United States and 18 other countries issued a joint statement on Wednesday (August 18) stating that they “are deeply concerned about Afghan women and girls” and urged the Taliban to ensure their safety.
“We are deeply concerned about Afghan women and girls and their rights to education, work and freedom of movement. We call on those in power and authority across Afghanistan to guarantee their protection,” read statement.
“Like all Afghans, Afghan women and girls deserve to live a safe, secure and dignified life. Discrimination and abuse of any kind should be prevented. Our international community is ready to provide them with humanitarian assistance and support to ensure that they The voice can be heard,” it added.
In addition to the United States and the European Union, the signatories include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, North Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Senegal and Switzerland.
They stated that they will pay close attention to “how any future government will ensure the rights and freedoms that have become an integral part of the lives of Afghan women and girls in the past two decades”.
The announcement comes as Western countries continue to evacuate Kabul for their nationals and the Afghans who have helped them in the past two decades.
The last rule of the Taliban before being overthrown in the 2001 US-led invasion was characterized by a cruel literal interpretation of Islam, preventing Afghan women from working or studying without a male “guardian”. Or travel without a male “guardian” and impose cruel violations of the law.
However, since seizing power over the weekend, the United States and its allies have been caught off guard, and the Taliban said their behavior will be different this time.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid unexpectedly announced in a gentle tone at the first press conference on Tuesday that they would allow Afghan women to work and study “within the limits of Islamic law”, and It is guaranteed that media workers will be able to act as long as they “do not violate national values.”
Human rights groups call for a non-return policy
However, EU leaders and the international community remain skeptical and expressed concern that the Taliban’s brutal reputation and imposed Islamist rule may harm women’s rights and trigger a new wave of European immigration.
Austria insisted on its plans to continue to repatriate irregular migrants to Afghanistan, and on Monday suggested setting up “deportation centers” in nearby countries as an alternative.
Vienna and five other EU member states warned the European Commission last week not to stop the deportation of rejected Afghan asylum seekers arriving in Europe, despite the progress made by the Taliban.
Since then, three of the six countries—Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands—have changed positions.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) issued a Non-return inquiry Afghanistan calls for an end to the forced deportation of Afghan asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected.
Shabia Mantoo, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency, welcomed the recent actions taken by several countries to temporarily suspend deportations.
“UNHCR’s recommendation to prohibit forced return to Afghanistan remains effective until the country’s security, rule of law and human rights conditions improve enough for people to return in safety and dignity,” she said.
[Edited by Benjamin Fox]
