THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN SHOULD BE A PRIORITY
In the name of the Group of Socialists, Democrats and Greens, we express our grave concern on the latest developments in Afghanistan. The domination of Afghanistan by the Taliban will tremendously affect the living conditions for everyone and bring an enormous backlash on basic human rights. The freedom of expression, the right to life and equality are under significant threat. The unprecedented humanitarian crisis makes it impossible for the population to have access to very basic necessities, like food and medicine.
Women and girls will be most significantly suffering in the country, as they will be unable to access equal educational opportunities as men, nor will they be able to be economically independent or move freely. The already bitter reality of Afghan women, whose lives have been linked to gender-based violence since ever, will turn into a daily nightmare since the Taliban have taken in their hands the control of the country. Any form of progress realised during the last decades will be erased. The survivors of violence can no longer be protected by the shelters put in place by the international community. Their stories will stop being told, their voices will be silenced, their existence will be forgotten. During the two last decades, Afghan women have fought very hard forward and are now witnessing their hard-won rights vanish every day. We stand in full solidarity with them and will make sure that their voices are being heard.
We call urgently every political representative to internationally act together and force Taliban to stop brutalizing innocent people of Afghanistan. Every humanitarian assistance should be monitored internationally, and proper conditionality should be set. Women’s rights should be in the heart of any form of international assistance. In addition, international coordination regarding the multifaceted management of the problem should avoid human lives to be instrumentalized in any politically driven bargaining.
We salute the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly to hold an urgent debate on “The situation in Afghanistan: consequences for Europe and the region” and expect that PACE will unanimously condemn Taliban’s policies towards women, girls and any human being that doesn’t not fit in the patriarchic norms of the Taliban.
30th September 2021
