The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the caretaker government has reacted to a statement by female foreign ministers from 17 countries, asserting that the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan are secured in accordance with Islamic Sharia, and that countries around the world should not interfere in the internal affairs of this country.
Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, spokesperson for this ministry, stated on Sunday (February 16) in response to this statement that the international community uses human rights, especially women’s rights, as a “political and propaganda tool” against the current government.
He emphasized, “Afghanistan is an independent country, and Islamic Sharia forms its basis. This Sharia clearly defines rights for women, children, and all members of society, and the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is committed to implementing it. Countries that claim to defend women’s rights have themselves violated these rights over the past 40 years.”
While the spokesperson claims that the rights of women and girls are being secured, women in Afghanistan have been deprived of many of their fundamental rights, including the right to education, work, and social participation.
According to decrees issued by the current government, girls are not allowed to continue their education after the sixth grade, and women have been banned from working in many governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Saif-ul-Islam Khyber added that no foreign entity “has the right to intervene or comment on the affairs of this ministry,” urging countries to refrain from interfering in Afghanistan’s internal matters.
However, two days ago, female foreign ministers from 17 countries issued a joint statement criticizing the performance of this ministry.
They emphasized that the policies of this ministry have resulted in severe restrictions on women’s lives, depriving them of their basic rights, including freedom of movement and participation in society.
Human rights organizations have also repeatedly expressed concern about the status of women in Afghanistan.
