In a compelling plea, Human Rights Watch has called upon the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend Afghanistan’s cricket membership, effectively barring the Taliban-led nation from international cricket competition. This demand was articulated in an email addressed to ICC Chair Jay Shah, sent on February 3 and later publicised on March 7, bearing the provocative title “Suspending the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Implementing a Human Rights Policy.” The organisation insists that cricketing activities should not continue until women and girls are granted the right to pursue education and sports in Afghanistan once again.
The advocacy group, renowned for its commitment to human rights, urges the ICC to establish a robust human rights policy, drawing inspiration from the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. They argue that the ICC’s commitment to promoting women’s cricket stands starkly at odds with the severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban since their resurgence in power in 2021, affecting women’s freedoms in movement, employment, and education beyond sixth grade.
Moreover, the email underlined the ICC’s pledged anti-discrimination stance, highlighting the necessity for cricket to be an inclusive sport free from gender-based intimidation. Human Rights Watch pointed out a glaring inconsistency: while the men’s team continues to receive vital financial and logistical support, the women’s team remains suspended and excluded from such resources.
Criticism was particularly directed at the Taliban’s prohibition on women engaging in cricket, which the letter labelled a violation of the Olympic Charter’s affirmation that sports are a fundamental human right. The letter also brought to light the plight of former Afghan women cricket players now living in exile, who are appealing for the ICC to support the formation of a refugee women’s national team, granting them opportunities for training, competition, and financial backing from the ICC.
In its conclusion, Human Rights Watch lamented the lack of adequate action from the ICC concerning the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), pressing for clarity on measures to ensure women and girls’ inclusion in cricket in Afghanistan. They expressed a desire to understand the extent of support provided by the ICC to the ACB, underscoring the organisation’s call for the ICC to adopt a robust human rights framework akin to those established by other sports governing bodies, while simultaneously advocating for the Taliban’s compliance with concepts of sporting inclusivity for Afghan women and girls. Remarkably, the ICC has not yet responded to these urgent appeals.
Human Rights Watch is urging the ICC to suspend Afghanistan’s cricket membership due to the Taliban’s severe restrictions on women’s rights. They advocate for a human rights policy within the ICC to promote inclusivity in sports, highlighting concerns over the ongoing support for Afghanistan’s men’s team while the women’s team remains sidelined. The call includes recognition for a refugee women’s national team to support Afghan women cricketers in exile.
Human Rights Watch has implored the ICC to take a stand by suspending Afghanistan’s cricket membership, primarily due to the Taliban’s oppressive policies against women’s and girls’ rights. The advocacy focuses on the inconsistency of the ICC’s support for men’s cricket while neglecting women’s programmes, urging the adoption of a humanitarian framework that aligns with international standards. As the situation unfurls, the ICC’s silence on this pressing issue has drawn scrutiny, leaving advocates hopeful for future positive changes to empower Afghan women in sport.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
