‘Extremely bleak’ future for Afghanistan unless human rights are massively reversed, experts warn – Global Affairs

“The future is extremely bleak for Afghans if the international community does not do more to make sure the Taliban change modus operandi and comply with human rights obligations“They said in statement.

Experts recall that after the Taliban took over in August last year, they called on the international community to take “strict actions” to protect Afghans from violations such as arbitrary detention, arbitrary detention, and violent crime. summary decisions, internal displacement and unlawful restrictions on their human rights.

Unable to deliver

“A year later, we reiterate this call,” they said. “Despite making many commitments to uphold human rights, the Taliban not only failed to deliver on their promises, but also reverse many processes made in the past two decades”.

Moreover, the humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan, which has already taken a toll on millions of people, shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, they added, the situation is expected to worsen, in part due to disruptions in international assistance and the freezing of Afghan assets abroad.

Attacks on women and girls

Experts say the Taliban have committed “a lot” of human rights abuses, with the eradication of women and girls from society, as well as their systematic oppression, particularly severe.

“Nowhere else in the world has a widespread, systematic and pervasive attack on the rights of women and girls – every aspect of their lives is being restricted under the guise of morality and through the instrumentalization of religion. Discrimination and violence cannot be justified on any grounds”.

Regrettably, they say, there is little sign that the human rights situation is turning into a dark corner.

Not confident

“Indeed, daily reports of violence – including extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture, increased risk of exploitation faced by women and girls, include including for the purpose of procreation and forced marriage, and to circumvent the rule of law – making it difficult for us to believe that the Taliban have any intention to do well commitment to respect human rights. “

The people currently have no way to deal with it because the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission has been abolished, along with other independent monitoring mechanisms and institutions.

The administration of the judiciary has also been violated. The applicable law is unclear, judges and other officials have been replaced, which particularly affects women.

The prospect of peace is dim

Experts have pointed to other violations, such as restrictions on press freedom and an increase in attacks on religious and ethnic minorities, some of which are claimed by the group terrorist ISIL-KP. They also highlight how journalists, activists, academics and artists can leave the country, quit their jobs or go into hiding.

Furthermore, in the absence of an inclusive and representative government, prospects for lasting peace, reconciliation and stability will remain scant.

“The in fact authorities seeking international recognition and legitimacy. Unfortunately, surnamecontinue to abuse most human rights standards while refusing to offer even a degree of respect for ordinary Afghans, especially women and girls,” the experts said.

Most recently, the Taliban appear to have harbored the leader of Al Qaeda. Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed last week in a US drone strike, which experts say also raised concerns about a violation of international law.

“Until it represents important steps towards respect for human rightsincluding the immediate reopening of girls’ high schools and restoring their access to a quality education, they shouldn’t be on the road to recognition. ”

Actions of the authorities

In addition to respecting their international obligations, experts have called on the Taliban full implementation of human rights standardsconsists of respect the rights of women and girls to education, employment and participation in public life.

The in fact government should immediately open all high schools for girlsand lifting restrictions on women’s movement, dress, employment and participation. The rights of minority communities must also be upheld.

The Taliban were also asked to “respect the general and immediate amnesty.” stop all revenge against members of the former government’s security forces, other officials and civil society, especially human rights defenders, including women”.

Furthermore, human rights and humanitarian monitors must be allowed free, unfettered access across the country, including to sensitive locations such as detention facilities.

They also called on the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, bar associations and other relevant trade unions, to be immediately reinstated and allowed to operate freely and independently.

International appeal

The experts also outlined steps the international community should take.

These include ensure civilians have equal access to humanitarian aidand support the ongoing initiatives of Afghan women towards strategies to promote the rights of women and girlswith clear standards and expectations.

Countries are also encouraged to maintain and/or adopt humanitarian immunity in punitive regimes to ensure compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law.

“Such measures must be fit for purpose, ensure that sanctions that do not interfere with humanitarian action are protected under international lawand has the function of overcoming current humanitarian crises and prevent sanctions from further exacerbating the human rights crisis they have to face the Afghan people.

The role of UN experts

The 20 experts who made this statement were all appointed by the UN Dong Nhan Quyen Association.

They include Richard Bennett, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, and other Special Rapporteurs, who monitor and report on issues such as the situation of human rights defenders around the world.

These independent experts receive assignments from the Council and act as their own individuals. They are not employees of the United Nations, nor are they paid for their work.