UN: Gender discrimination in Afghanistan should be considered a ‘crime against humanity’

UN Special Envoy for Global Education and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made remarks at the press conference on girls’ education in Afghanistan.

“The legal opinion we have received shows that it is gender discrimination to deprive Afghan girls of education and Afghan women of work. This should be considered a ‘crime against humanity’ and tried at the International Criminal Court”. saying.

Stating that “54 of the 80 statements released by the Taliban administration target the rights of women and girls,” Brown noted that new bans have recently been added restricting female students from entering college entrance exams. university and their visits to public places.

“FEARED MINISTRY”

Brown cited the removal of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs from the cabinet, the establishment of the Ministry of Invitation to Good and Prevention of Evil, and the dissolution of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission as reasons for the International Criminal Court to consider this. a “crime against humanity”.

Describing the Ministry for the Invitation to Good and the Avoidance of Evil as the “dreaded ministry,” Brown called for the leaders of women’s rights non-governmental organizations to be released from prison.

On the other hand, Brown called on Muslim-majority countries to support UN efforts in the country to “convince them that these restrictions on education have no basis in Islam or the Koran.”

Brown emphasized that if it can be explained that Islam supports girls’ education and that the country cannot develop by disenfranchising half of Afghanistan’s population, progress can be made in this regard.

FEMALE STAFF PROHIBITED

When the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, severe restrictions were placed on women’s work and girls’ education.

The girls were prevented from receiving education in middle and high schools first, and in universities in December 2022. Also last December, the employment of Afghan women in local and foreign non-governmental organizations was also suspended.

UNSC DECISION

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution on April 28 condemning the employment ban imposed by the Taliban administration in Afghanistan on female UN staff.

The bill, jointly introduced by Turkey, was unanimously accepted by the 15-member United Nations Security Council, and the resolution called on the Taliban administration to quickly “return” bans on women. (AA)