رسانه‌ای گوهر شاد, نویسنده در رسانه گوهرشاد

Author: رسانه‌ای گوهر شاد

9 months ago - 317 Visits

World Health Organization: 22 Cases of Polio Recorded in Afghanistan This Year

The World Health Organization has recently announced that from August 21 to September 1, three new cases of polio have been reported in the provinces of Kandahar and Helmand. In a report published, it stated that since the beginning of this year, 22 cases of polio have been reported in Afghanistan. The report, released on Monday (October 1), noted that three new cases of polio in Afghanistan were reported from the districts of Maiwand and Ghorak in Kandahar and the district of Nahr-e-Siraj in Helmand. According to the report, since the beginning of the year, 24 cases of polio have also been reported in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad in Pakistan. This comes as only six cases of polio were reported in Afghanistan and six in Pakistan last year. It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan and Pakistan have yet to eradicate polio. Despite this ongoing challenge, the interim government recently suspended the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan. Polio is a contagious virus that primarily affects children under five years old, but it is said that any unvaccinated individual can also be at risk of contracting it.

9 months ago - 319 Visits

Protesters in Canada: "Stop the Genocide of Hazaras" in Afghanistan

Hundreds of Afghan citizens in Canada gathered in Vancouver and Ottawa to mark the anniversary of the start of the "genocide of Hazaras" in Afghanistan and in response to the massacre of residents in Daykundi province. On Sunday, October 1st, local time, Afghan citizens chanted "Immediate Stop to the Genocide of Hazaras," calling on international human rights organizations to recognize the crimes against Hazaras in Afghanistan as genocide. The protesters emphasized the need for justice for victims of human rights violations and demanded continued advocacy for human rights, especially for women and minorities in Afghanistan. They commemorated the victims of this genocide, marking its 132nd anniversary this year, and called for greater attention from the international community to the situation of Hazaras. The demonstration concluded with the reading of a resolution. The resolution urged the international community to recognize the ongoing genocide against Hazaras—Shia Muslims in Afghanistan—and acknowledge the systematic nature of human rights violations against them. Participants also called for immediate action to protect Hazaras under international law to prevent further genocide under the current regime. It should be noted that the resolution requested that the Canadian government and the international community refrain from normalizing relations with the current government and utilize all means to hold this group accountable for human rights violations. Additionally, protesters suggested that Canada initiate an independent investigation by the United Nations into the human rights situation of Hazaras and issue a resolution for their immediate protection. This comes after on September 13, 14 residents of the "Qaryodal" village in the Sangtakht district of Daykundi province were killed by armed individuals near the border of this province with Ghor. The responsibility for this massacre was claimed by ISIS. It is important to note that among those killed was a resident of Ghor province as well.

9 months ago - 272 Visits

One in Three Girls in Afghanistan Forced to Leave Primary Education

The World Food Program has announced that one in three girls in Afghanistan cannot complete their primary education. Today (Sunday, September 29), this organization expressed concern over the ban on education for girls above the sixth grade in Afghanistan through a statement on its X account. The World Food Program emphasized that although secondary and higher education for girls has been banned by the interim government, many girls are forced to leave primary education early due to poverty. The statement mentioned that many Afghan children live primarily on bread and tea. This organization added that following the takeover by the interim government, Afghanistan has been engulfed in a severe economic crisis that poses a threat to many lives. The World Food Program noted that due to budget shortages, it can currently assist only one million hungry people in Afghanistan. It further stated that an additional 11 million people have been removed from the food assistance process. Additionally, part of the statement mentioned that 1.4 million mothers and children are suffering from malnutrition and need specialized food, but this organization is unable to help them. According to statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), due to the policy banning education for girls above the sixth grade, 1.4 million girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of education. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, had previously stated that an additional 38,000 girls would be deprived of schooling this year. This comes after the interim government suspended education for girls above the sixth grade on September 17, 2021, shortly after taking power. Although it was initially claimed that this ban was temporary, it has still not been lifted after three years.

9 months ago - 291 Visits

Indonesian Foreign Minister: Education for Afghan Girls Must Be Guaranteed

Retno Marsudi, the Indonesian Foreign Minister, stated that women play a crucial role in establishing inclusive peace, and the education of women and girls in Afghanistan must be guaranteed. Ms. Marsudi made these remarks at the seventy-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the need to ensure the education of girls and women in Afghanistan under the control of the interim government. She added that "investing in women is investing in peace" and expressed her commitment to working towards this goal. This comes as Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada announced in a joint statement that they will file a complaint against the current government at the International Court of Justice for "violating the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women." These four countries warned that if the interim government does not end human rights violations, especially against women's rights, within six months, they will take them to The Hague. The actions of Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada have received widespread support both within Afghanistan and from countries around the world. Additionally, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, wrote in a message on his X account that he supports all countries and organizations advocating for the removal of "discriminatory" restrictions against women and girls imposed by the current government.

9 months ago - 384 Visits

Zalmay Khalilzad: The Doha Agreement Had No Connection to Human Rights

Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. Special Representative for Afghan Peace, has recently stated that the Doha Agreement had no connection to human rights and was related to conditions for the safe withdrawal of U.S. troops. Last day (Thursday, October 5), in response to a draft resolution by the U.S. Congress that condemns President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other senior U.S. officials, including himself, regarding the "disastrous withdrawal" from Afghanistan, Khalilzad mentioned that the current Afghan government had agreed to "form a new government for Afghanistan," and that human rights policies would likely be negotiated separately between them and other Afghan citizens. He wrote on his X account that some of these negotiations took place; however, no agreement was reached before the completion of the U.S. troop withdrawal from the country. He rejected part of the draft resolution that stated, "Khalilzad claimed without reason that the current government is fulfilling its commitments and respecting basic human rights." Zalmay Khalilzad stated: "This claim is completely false. I have never made such a statement. I am surprised that such an allegation is made without evidence and is so-called baseless." The former U.S. special envoy for Afghan peace further added: "I have never made a statement regarding the Taliban and their commitments concerning human rights. In my appearances before various congressional committees, whenever I was asked whether I trust the Taliban to fulfill their commitments regarding military issues and terrorism, my answer has always been that we are talking about international relations, an area where no one can be trusted, especially the Taliban." He continued by stating that the agreement was based on conditions as negotiated, not on trust. The fulfillment of U.S. commitments in the agreement was linked to the interim government's commitments, which needed to be continuously evaluated and verified. It is worth noting that the agreement included provisions against attacks on U.S. forces and preventing "terrorist" groups or individuals, including Al-Qaeda, from using Afghan territory to threaten the security of the United States and its allies. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, presented a draft resolution to Congress condemning former and current senior U.S. officials regarding the "disastrous" withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

9 months ago - 322 Visits

European Parliament against Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan; A Hopeful Step for Women's Improvement

Author: Mahdi Mozaffari In response to the recent actions of the interim government of Afghanistan, particularly the controversial "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law, the European Parliament held a special session on Thursday, September 20, to discuss the dire human rights situation, especially concerning women in Afghanistan. This session was convened due to increasing international concerns regarding widespread human rights violations in Afghanistan, particularly the severe restrictions imposed on women. The outcome of this session was the adoption of a resolute resolution, which passed with an overwhelming majority. This resolution was adopted amid rising international pressure on the Afghan government due to its gender-based restrictions and human rights violations. During this session, the European Parliament emphasized that such laws and restrictions are in complete contradiction to international norms and lead to the severe repression of the human rights of Afghan women and girls. The resolution, which was passed with 565 votes in favor, eight against, and 43 abstentions, explicitly condemns the widespread violation of international norms by the current Afghan government. In this resolution, the Afghan government is accused of severely repressing women and girls, ethnic minorities, human rights defenders, and sexual minorities. It clearly indicates that the policies of the current government have not only led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan but have also pushed the country into international isolation. The European Parliament has warned that these widespread repressions and continued narrow-minded policies of the Afghan government could lead to a larger crisis at both regional and global levels. Therefore, this resolution represents a significant shift in international positions against the Afghan government. Gender Apartheid: The Dire Situation of Afghan Women under Interim Rule The tragic status of Afghan women under the interim government has revealed new dimensions of human rights violations. The European Parliament has taken a significant step by describing the current situation of women in Afghanistan as "gender apartheid" and calling for its recognition as a "crime against humanity" in international law. This term accurately refers to the systematic and pervasive nature of gender discrimination in Afghanistan. In fact, the European Parliament, through this resolution, has emphasized that the oppression of women and the severe restrictions imposed on them are not merely human rights violations; they constitute a form of crime against humanity that requires an immediate and comprehensive response from the global community. This characterization by the European Parliament aligns with previous concerns raised by UN experts, including Richard Bennett, who described the treatment of women by the Afghan government as a "crime against humanity." These experts believe that the imposition of severe and systematic restrictions on women in Afghanistan is a clear example of gender apartheid. Currently, Afghan women protesters have repeatedly called for this situation to be recognized as an international crime in their protests against government policies. The continuation of these protests indicates that Afghan women are still fighting for their rights, although the current conditions have significantly diminished hopes for change. At present, gender apartheid is not defined as an independent crime in international law; however, given the critical situation in Afghanistan, efforts are underway to have this concept recognized as an international crime. These efforts are part of amendments to certain provisions of international law, aimed at addressing this horrific crime and supporting the rights of Afghan women. Recognizing gender apartheid as an international crime would be a significant step toward establishing legal mechanisms for prosecuting and punishing those responsible for this crime, potentially leading to international sanctions and practical measures to protect Afghan women. Condemnation of Engagement with Current Afghan Leaders and Calls for New Sanctions In this resolute action, the European Parliament has also condemned the behavior of governments that bolster the current regime in Afghanistan through engagement. This stance is based on human rights principles and international commitments that prohibit any interaction with governments involved in widespread human rights violations. The resolution, which was passed with a strong majority, expresses the deep concern of the European Union regarding the approach of certain countries toward the current government in Afghanistan. Although parliament members did not specifically name countries, evidence suggests that in recent years, in addition to neighboring and regional countries, some members of the European Union have engaged directly or indirectly with Afghan rulers. Such interactions have not only strengthened the legitimacy of the current government but have also facilitated ongoing human rights violations in the country. In addition to condemning engagement with the interim government, the European Parliament has called for increased sanctions against members of this group. The European Union currently has some senior officials of the Afghan government under individual sanctions, but the European Parliament believes these measures are insufficient and that broader sanctions should be imposed on this regime. It is still unclear what areas the new sanctions will cover, but they are expected to impact the government’s economic activities and financial resources. The European Parliament has emphasized that sanctions should be applied in a manner that does not harm ordinary people and that only the leaders of the government should be pressured. Moreover, the European Parliament has stressed the importance of supporting Afghan women and girls. Members of Parliament have called for the active participation of Afghan women in all political, social, and economic spheres of the country and have urged the international community to support the rights of this vulnerable group. The European Parliament has also highlighted the necessity of continuing humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan, requesting that the EU deliver this assistance directly to those in need and prevent it from reaching the government. This approach reflects the European Parliament's particular sensitivity to the situation of the Afghan people and the importance of direct access to humanitarian aid. Thomas Nicholson, the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, recently announced that the EU has provided €300 million in aid to Afghanistan this year, with these funds reaching the Afghan people and NGOs directly. Such direct assistance has become even more critical in the current crisis, as the current Afghan government uses these aids to consolidate its power. However, the United Nations has warned that Afghanistan continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis and requires further support from the international community. Overall, the resolution by the European Parliament indicates that the EU is concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and human rights violations in the country. By condemning engagement with government leaders and calling for increased sanctions, the EU has sent a clear message to the Afghan government. Additionally, the Parliament's emphasis on supporting Afghan women and girls and continuing humanitarian aid demonstrates that the EU is committed to assisting the people of Afghanistan. Nonetheless, improving the situation in Afghanistan and establishing an inclusive and sustainable government will require greater cooperation from the international community and pressure on the country’s powerful leaders to uphold human rights and international commitments.

9 months ago - 284 Visits

Meryl Streep: A "Cat" in Afghanistan Has More Rights Than a Woman

Meryl Streep, the renowned Hollywood actress, has reacted to the restrictions faced by women and girls, stating that in Afghanistan, a "cat" has more rights than a woman. According to SBS News on Tuesday, September 24, Streep made these remarks during a United Nations meeting, saying, "The situation prevailing in today's Afghan society is alarming for the world." The report noted that she made these statements to draw the attention of world leaders to the issues faced by women in Afghanistan. Streep emphasized that in the current era, Afghan girls are deprived of attending schools and universities. She added, "In Afghanistan, a cat might be able to appear freely in society and feel the sun on its face." The Hollywood actress also mentioned that while a bird might sing in Kabul, a girl cannot raise her voice. This comes as the newly passed law by the current government, which imposes severe restrictions on women, has faced widespread national and international backlash. Recently, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated that ongoing restrictions against women hinder Afghanistan's progress, and as long as these limitations remain, the country will have no credibility in the international community.

10 months ago - 283 Visits

Antonio Guterres: Without Educating Girls, Afghanistan Will Never Achieve Its Deserved Global Standing

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has called on the interim government of Afghanistan to immediately lift discriminatory restrictions against women and girls and to reopen schools and universities for girls above the sixth grade. Mr. Guterres made these remarks yesterday (Monday, October 2) at a UN side event on Afghan women, stating that women and girls in Afghanistan are facing a profound crisis of discrimination and gender-based oppression. He referred to the current government's law on "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice," saying that this law has legitimized the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life. He emphasized, "Women and girls in Afghanistan are largely confined to their homes, without freedom of movement and almost without access to education or work. They are even prohibited from singing or raising their voices in public." The UN Secretary-General added that the law on "Promotion of Virtue" continues a series of edicts that strip the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls across the country. He noted that Afghan women suffer from high rates of gender-based violence, so-called honor killings, and increased maternal mortality. Mr. Guterres stated that severe gender discrimination is not only a violation of conventions and human rights laws but also a form of national self-harm that undermines economic self-sufficiency. He said that educating girls is one of the quickest ways to initiate economic development and improve health, well-being, and prosperity in communities. He believes, "Without educated women, without women in jobs, including in leadership roles, and without recognizing the rights and freedoms of half the population, Afghanistan will never achieve its rightful place on the global stage." He added that countries and organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, are strongly calling for respect for the fundamental rights of Afghan girls and women. This comes as the interim government has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls since taking power in Afghanistan. Over the past three years, the majority of Afghan women and girls have been deprived of education and work by the current government. Additionally, the current government has recently enacted regulations under the law on "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice," continuing its restrictions on the freedoms and rights of Afghan citizens. This law has faced widespread criticism and negative reactions from countries and the United Nations. However, the current government has declared criticism and opposition to its laws as a crime, stating that opponents and critics will be prosecuted.

10 months ago - 316 Visits

Organization for the Support of Journalists: Live Broadcasting of Political Programs in Afghan Media Banned

The Organization for the Support of Journalists in Afghanistan has recently announced that the interim government has prohibited the live broadcasting of political programs in the media. In a statement released last night (Sunday, September 22), the organization stated that the current government has introduced its trusted individuals as experts in analytical and political media programs. The Organization for the Support of Journalists emphasized that this action by the current government once again leads to media censorship and stifles freedom of expression. The organization has called on media and journalist support organizations to take a firm stance against these restrictions imposed by the interim government. Officials from the interim government have not yet commented on this matter. This comes as the current government, after regaining power in Afghanistan, has imposed severe restrictions on domestic media and has consistently arrested and tortured journalists. According to statistics from the Afghanistan Journalists Center, during its first two years in power, the interim government issued 14 restrictive directives against media and journalists. These directives cover a wide range of media-related issues, including forcing female presenters to wear black masks and banning the broadcast of music, as well as referring to the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan.

10 months ago - 314 Visits

14,000 Children in Afghanistan Suffer from Heart Defects

Officials from the Afghan Red Crescent Society report that there are 14,000 children in Afghanistan suffering from heart defects. Abdul Latif Sabit, the operational deputy secretary-general of the Red Crescent, stated that among these, 7,000 children have complex heart conditions that cannot be treated in the country's hospitals. Approximately another 7,000 children with heart defects are receiving treatment at eleven domestic hospitals on a waiting list basis. Mr. Sabit emphasized: "A total of 14,000 children with heart defects have been registered with this ministry, of which 7,000 cases are complex and cannot be treated within the country; they need to be sent to India or Germany." He urged local and international organizations, businessmen, industrialists, and individuals with resources to continue their support for this agency. He said: "Fellow citizens, national traders, companies, and various unions operating in Afghanistan should cooperate with us as much as they can. The more cooperation we receive, the better we can work." Additionally, Matin Hamraz, the spokesperson for the Afghan Red Crescent Society, announced that this organization has taken significant actions in various areas, including collecting beggars nationwide, providing humanitarian and cash assistance to victims of natural and man-made disasters, supporting impoverished families, widows, orphans, and other humanitarian activities. Mr. Hamraz stated: "Across the country, 116,259 beggars have been collected, of which 5,300 families comprising 30,543 individuals have been recognized as deserving assistance. The Afghan Red Crescent Society provides them with monthly cash aid amounting to 53 million 875 thousand 812 Afghanis." According to available information, the Afghan Red Crescent Society was established 94 years ago and recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross 70 years ago. The organization currently employs 4,605 staff members across Afghanistan.