NEW YORK - The international community must not allow the Taliban's regime of repression and institutionalised discrimination in Afghanistan to be normalised, while it is destroying the lives of many Afghans and particularly women and girls, a UN expert warned today.
"Five years after the Taliban seized power, it has shown no willingness to reverse their systematic violations of fundamental human rights. Instead, they have continued to deepen and formalise their repression," said Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, presenting his report to the General Assembly today.
"The international community must stand with the Afghan people, protect their rights and support their future," Bennett said. "Engagement with the de facto authorities must not confer legitimacy without measurable, independently verified improvements in human rights, nor should it come at the cost of accountability, equality or justice."
The expert said that recent decrees had further undermined women's rights, allowing violence against women, making it almost impossible for them to leave abusive relationships and even permitting the 'marriage' of children.
The Special Rapporteur's report highlighted ongoing arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment including sexual violence, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and severe restrictions on freedom of expression and civic space. It also noted with concern persistent discrimination and abuse against marginalised ethnic, religious and linguistic communities, as well as the persecution of LGBTI people and exclusion of people with disabilities.
"The four arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Taliban leaders mark an important step towards accountability," the Special Rapporteur said. "I urge States to support the Court and other channels, including the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan and national prosecutions under universal jurisdiction."
He called for accelerated progress by States who have initiated a dispute against Afghanistan under CEDAW and efforts to recognise gender apartheid as an international crime.
"Accountability demands sustained political will, international cooperation and determined action to ensure that those responsible for serious violations are brought to justice," Bennett said.
He warned of profound long-term consequences for Afghanistan's younger generation who face growing exposure to gender-based violence, forced and child marriage, child labour and radicalisation that could have future security consequences.
"For girls, the denial of education has serious consequences for their mental health and the country's development as a whole," Bennett said. "Despite these conditions, Afghan young people, particularly girls and young women, continue to pursue education and advocate for their rights."
Addressing the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bennett urged both parties to fully respect international human rights and humanitarian law. "Afghanistan and Pakistan must take precautions to protect civilians and ensure independent investigations and accountability for causing civilian harm."
The Special Rapporteur called on the international community to sustain humanitarian assistance and long-term support for education, healthcare, mine-action, media and civil society, especially women-led initiatives.
