At the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Watch highlighted alarming findings from the Special Rapporteur’s recent reports. The deepening human rights crisis in Afghanistan, marked by the Taliban’s brutal crackdown, particularly targets women, girls, and minority groups. Reports reveal the Taliban’s aggression, including arbitrary detention and torture of individuals who defy imposed dress codes and those involved in media, human rights, and LGTB advocacy.
The Taliban’s laws enforcing virtue and prohibiting vice greatly exacerbate violations, institutionalising gender persecution. Women are barred from travelling unaccompanied, expressing themselves in public, or engaging in social activities without a male guardian. This blatant repression of rights stifles freedoms and amplifies the suffering of Afghan women and minorities.
The urgent need for accountability was expressed, reflecting the council’s consensus on addressing horrific crimes committed under Taliban rule. Documenting these atrocities and preserving evidence is essential for ensuring accountability, allowing those responsible for these international crimes to face justice.
In line with the Special Rapporteur’s calls for action, there is a pressing need for an independent accountability mechanism to monitor and address violations alongside ongoing investigations. Human Rights Watch closed its statement with a query regarding the practical support available for the Special Rapporteur and any additional assistance required for effective action.
Human Rights Watch presented a critical statement at the UN Human Rights Council emphasising the worsening human rights crisis in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The statement highlighted egregious human rights abuses, particularly against women and minorities, and called for an independent accountability mechanism to address these violations and provide support to the Special Rapporteur’s efforts.
In summary, Human Rights Watch firmly calls for urgent international intervention to document and address the escalating human rights violations in Afghanistan due to Taliban rule. The establishment of an accountability mechanism is critical to ensure that violations are addressed and perpetrators are held accountable, especially for the ongoing persecution of women, girls, and minority communities. Further inquiry into the support system for monitoring these violations is also vital for comprehensive advocacy efforts.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
