Human Rights Watch, while welcoming the special report by Richard Bennett on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, has called on United Nations member states to listen to Afghan women and girls and place their voices at the center of international attention.
The organization made these remarks today (Thursday, February 26) during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, stating that member states must take stronger measures to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls.
Human Rights Watch further emphasized that UN member states should recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.
The organization also urged countries to support the efforts of the International Criminal Court to prosecute those responsible for gender-based persecution and other serious international crimes in Afghanistan.
These statements come as, over the past more than four years, the rights of women and girls have been severely violated, depriving them of their most basic rights, including the right to education and employment.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, also stated in his latest report that the rights of women and girls are being violated widely and systematically, and that they face discrimination, repression, and restrictions in all areas of life.
It should be noted that after taking control of Afghanistan, the current authorities barred women and girls from education. This action has resulted in millions of schoolgirls being deprived of learning opportunities.
In addition, women have been banned from attending sports centers, restaurants, and public baths, from being examined by male doctors, from traveling without a male guardian, and from working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations as well as even UN offices in Afghanistan.
