Human Rights Day Statement: Standing with the People of Afghanistan

10 December 2024

Today, as the world observes Human Rights Day, we are reminded of the universal principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, principles that affirm the inherent dignity, freedom, and equality of all human beings. Yet, in Afghanistan, these fundamental rights remain under relentless assault by the Taliban regime.

Since their return to power, the Taliban have systematically dismantled decades of progress in human rights. Afghan women and girls have borne the brunt of this oppression, facing complete exclusion from public life. They have been stripped of their rights to education, employment, and freedom of expression, with recent policies even banning them from being spoken to or heard in public. The Taliban’s continued suppression of minorities, civil society activists, and independent media demonstrates their flagrant disregard for international norms and values.

Adding to their long list of oppressive policies, the Taliban recently announced a ban on women’s education in healthcare professions. This measure not only deepens gender inequality but directly jeopardizes the health and well-being of millions of Afghans who rely on female healthcare workers. It is a policy that exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and shows a blatant disregard for Afghanistan’s future.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also expressed grave concern over the Taliban’s actions, including systematic human rights violations and gender-based persecution. The ICC has called for an expedited investigation into atrocities committed by the Taliban, with a focus on holding perpetrators accountable for crimes against humanity. These actions underline the urgent need for international accountability mechanisms including ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to address the gross violations occurring in Afghanistan.

The suffering of the Afghan people under this regime is a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective global action. More than three years of words of concern must now translate into meaningful, coordinated efforts to uphold the rights of those who continue to resist tyranny and oppression. Afghan women, men, and children deserve to live in freedom and dignity, and their voices must not be silenced.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to hold a critical meeting on Afghanistan this week, where the focus will include the deteriorating human rights situation and strategies for delivering humanitarian aid without empowering the Taliban regime. This meeting offers an opportunity for member states to establish concrete measures that uphold human rights, ensure accountability for atrocities, and deliver life-saving aid to those most in need.

On this Human Rights Day, we, the Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, call on the international community to utilize effectively the existing frameworks and establish dedicated mechanisms to investigate and prosecute human rights violations perpetrated by the Taliban, not only in the last three years but over the last two decades. Accountability is essential for justice and for preventing future violations.

We must collectively ensure aid reaches the Afghan people, bypassing Taliban control, with a focus on supporting women-focused and women-led initiatives and protecting vulnerable groups. This includes targeted funding for education, healthcare, and civil society organizations that operate independently of Taliban influence.

The courage and resilience of the Afghan people, particularly women, remain an inspiration to the world. Despite facing systemic violence and repression, they continue to struggle for basic rights and freedoms not only for themselves but for all Afghan citizens. We must collectively and consistently stand with them in this struggle, not just today but every day, until justice prevails.

On this Human Rights Day, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand with the Afghan people and strive for a future where every Afghan can live with dignity, freedom, and hope, in a system of governance that reflects their voices and aspirations.

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Statement of the Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the Start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

November 25, 2024

As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begin, we stand in solidarity with women and girls from Afghanistan and across the globe who continue to face discrimination, violence, and injustice. This international campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the persistent need to collectively combat violence against women in all its forms, especially in Afghanistan, where such violations have reached alarming levels under the Taliban regime and there are no signs of any reversal in hardline policies against women for more than three years.

Since their return to power, the Taliban have systematically and increasingly restricted the rights of Afghan women and girls, erasing their presence from public life, banning them from education, employment, and even basic freedoms. Afghan women face unparalleled difficulties and women activists who dare to speak up risk harassment, imprisonment, torture or worse.

This dire situation reflects the Taliban’s utter disregard for international human rights norms and values. Their actions are not only aimed at silencing Afghan women but have also plunged them into cycles of poverty, isolation, and despair. The resilience of Afghan women in the face of these atrocities is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite unimaginable hardships, they continue to advocate for their rights, the rights of all of Afghan citizens and our shared values including through organising protests, and demanding justice—often at great personal risk.

The international community must recognise the severity of the crisis facing Afghan women. Statements of concern are not enough. Concrete coordinated actions are essential to hold the Taliban accountable for their egregious violations of women’s rights and to support the Afghan people in their struggle for freedom and equality.

We call on global leaders, human rights organisations, and the United Nations to pressure on the Taliban to adhere to international conventions, especially regarding women’s rights, provide targeted humanitarian aid to Afghan women and girls, ensuring it reaches them directly and bypasses Taliban interference. Afghan women-led organisations and initiatives that amplify the voices of women fighting for their rights must be supported. And lastly, there is a pressing need for an all-tools approach using effectively all available international accountability processes and mechanisms including International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) as well as the Universal Jurisdiction principle to make the Taliban accountable for their repressive policies and actions against women and girls. In this context, we support the ongoing international efforts to codify gender apartheid in the case of Afghanistan as well as the recent important initiative undertaken by Canada, Australia, Germany and Netherlands to take the Taliban to the ICJ.

Afghan women are not asking for charity; they are demanding their fundamental human rights. It is imperative for our fellow Afghans and our international partners to stand firmly with them in this fight, ensuring that their voices are heard, their resilience is supported, and their suffering is alleviated.

In conclusion, the Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the women and girls of Afghanistan. Their courage inspires us to continue advocating for justice and equality until their rightful place in society is restored.

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Statement by the Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the 3^rd Year of the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban

 15 August 2024

Today marks the third year since the Taliban's forceful takeover of Kabul. It is imperative to reflect on the deeply troubling human rights situation, humanitarian crisis, and the bigger question of political legitimacy that have unfolded in Afghanistan over the last three years. The promises made by the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghans, particularly women, girls and minorities, have been starkly contradicted by their actions.

Over the past three years, we have witnessed widespread violations, including severe restrictions on women's rights, suppression of free speech and free media, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances, summary execution and every sort of restrictions on peoples’ daily life under the Taliban. Every democratic institution has been dismantled and the country is run with no constitution in place.

The rollback of women's rights has been especially alarming, with women and girls being barred from education, employment, and public life. According to UNESCO, “1.4 million Afghan girls have been deliberately deprived of schooling. Access to primary education has also fallen sharply, with 1.1 million fewer girls and boys attending school.” And in total “there are now almost 2.5 million girls in the country deprived of their right to education, representing 80 per cent of Afghan school-age girls.”

This regression not only deprives half of the population of their fundamental rights but also cripples the nation's prospects for development and peace. The systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life is a violation of international human rights norms and according to many international experts, amounts to gender apartheid.

Furthermore, the suppression of journalists, activists, civil society and those who dare to speak out against the regime has stifled freedom of expression and created a climate of fear and repression. The persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, including targeted attacks, is another tragic aspect of this human rights catastrophe that the international community cannot ignore.

The Taliban have failed to establish a legitimate government that can be recognized. This is further complicating Afghanistan’s path to peace, prosperity, development and national unity. As the experience of the past three years shows, Taliban clearly lack any commitment to inclusive governance, human rights, and international law which has further pushed Afghanistan into isolation.

There is an urgent need toward meaningful dialogue and encouraging a political process that respects the will and rights of all Afghans and leads to a sustainable and inclusive peace.

It is crucial that we continue to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions. The international community must intensify its efforts to advocate for the rights and dignity of all Afghans.

Over the past three years, due to a multifaced crisis under the Taliban, around 8 million Afghan nationals have been forced to leave the country struggling with numerous challenges to settle currently in various countries across the world.

The Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, with all members outside Afghanistan, remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the safety, dignity, and human rights of our fellow citizens, wherever they may be. In accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, our missions continue to fulfill crucial and transparent consular functions working in close collaboration with the authorities of our host countries, which serve the interests of both the Afghan diaspora and the host governments.

The Coordination Council stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, especially Afghan women who continue to resist oppression and fight for their basic human rights. The Taliban's ongoing violations must not be met with silence, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the voices of the oppressed are heard and their rights are upheld.

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Press Release: Coordination Council of Ambassadors and General Consulates of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on continuation of the consular services to our Afghan Diaspora community in Europe, Canada, USA and Australia

30 July 2024

In the past three years, the diplomatic and consular missions of of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Europe, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere have remained obligated to provide consular services to Afghan nationals in their host countries. This commitment has been maintained despite the challenging circumstances, guided by the interest of Afghan citizens and in alignment with the position of the international community.

These consular services are provided transparently in conformity with national and international laws, in understanding with the relevant institutions of host countries and in adherence to the legitimacy and credibility of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
The recent statement of the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for specific diplomatic and consular missions operating under the group’s authority to provide consular services to Afghan nationals residing in countries outside their jurisdiction. Such activity is in violation of established international rules and norms, as well as the national laws of Afghanistan.

On this basis, diplomatic and consular missions are not permitted to engage in any action, including provision of consular services, which are outside their area of responsibility, as defined in relevant bilateral agreements between sending and receiving States concerning the start of diplomatic and consular activity and relations.

Any such activity violates relevant bilateral and international commitment. They will also present numerous challenges to Afghan nationals and will have a profound negative effect on the future of Afghanistan’s diplomatic and consular relations.
Moreover, issuance of documents by a diplomatic and consular mission in another country is not enforceable and will create serious problems for the citizens of the country; especially those who have recently migrated abroad.

The diplomatic and consular missions of Afghanistan in Europe, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere remain committed to continue providing consular services within the framework of national and international laws and regulations, and in understanding and collaboration with host country authorities.

Regrettably, through their miscalculated and short-sighted actions, the Taliban have repeatedly created problems for Afghan refugees and citizens who reside outside their country.

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EARLIER STATEMENTS

Statement of the Coordination Council of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the International Women's Day

March 8, 2024

On this International Women’s Day, we express our profound concern over the tragic situation of girls and women in Afghanistan.

As the humanitarian, human rights, and economic situations continue to deteriorate under the Taliban in the country, Afghan women and girls continue to bear the brunt of this multifaceted crisis. Every aspect of their lives has been restricted by a hostile approach, encompassing some of the most repressive policies, directives, edicts, and practices aimed to erasing them from public life.

Afghan women and girls are denied access to their basic rights to education, employment, justice, and freedom of movement. The systematic discrimination and deliberate restrictions on women and girls’ rights, have resulted in their marginalisation and exclusion from social, political, public, and economic life. These discriminatory and repressive acts, according to many international experts and organizations, amount to gender apartheid.

The story of women and girls in Afghanistan also symbolizes their courage and resilience in the face of such unparalleled challenges and restrictions. Afghan women stand at the forefront of the struggle for the human rights of all Afghans, and they have been leading the civil society resistance against the Taliban.

On this occasion, we once again stress the importance of keeping Afghan women and girls’ rights central in all policies and programs concerning Afghanistan. In this context, we welcome the increasing global calls for the recognition of gender apartheid as a tragic reality in Afghanistan, as well as for strengthening the relevant accountability and investigation mechanisms at the international level.

We further welcome the participation of civil society representatives and women’s rights activists in the recent Doha Meeting on Afghanistan. We believe that the representative and meaningful participation of Afghan women in all processes and deliberations that impact their lives should be facilitated and supported.

As we have argued previously, only a legitimate, representative, and accountable system based on the will of the people can protect and ensure the rights of all of Afghans, including women and girls.

We, once again express our gratitude to our international partners and all friends of Afghanistan around the world for their continued commitment to the people of Afghanistan, particularly women and girls, during this tragic time in our nation’s history.

It is our earnest hope that through an effective global alliance and a proactive and unified approach at the global level, as well as structured engagement with democratic forces, civil society activists, and women’s rights defenders, the current dangerous trajectory in Afghanistan will be reversed for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan, particularly women and girls. 

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Statement of Coordination Council of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the UN Meeting on Afghanistan in Doha (18-19 February 2024) 

February 17, 2024

Tomorrow, the meeting of UN Special Envoys on Afghanistan will take place in Doha, Qatar to decide on a pathway forward on the basis of the independent assessment, conducted in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2679 (2023).

The meeting comes a time of increased international recognition of the fact that efforts thus far have been ineffective in dealing with Afghanistan’s social, political, economic and humanitarian challenges. As a result, Afghanistan remains on a dangerous trajectory, with the current crisis continuing to deepen and the degree of instability also having implications beyond Afghanistan alone.

The Coordination Council of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the I.R of Afghanistan deem it imperative for the forth-coming UN meeting to result in a renewed approach that has long been desired and called for by the people of Afghanistan. This approach should be formulated taking into account an obvious reality: that the status-quo of unilateral rule, systematic human rights violations, especially of women and girls, disregard for people’s demands on political, social issue contradict shared values and objectives of the people of Afghanistan and international community.

The people of Afghanistan, inside and outside the country, have long emphasized that lasting peace and stability in the country is only possible through an inclusive, representative, and broad-based system, resulting from national dialogue and which is able to reflect the will and aspirations of all Afghans.

However, sufficient focus on the start of a result-oriented political process, particularly national dialogue and negotiation among Afghans, as a key component has been lacking in international efforts on Afghanistan thus far. This gap, which is also recognized in the UN assessment, has been a key factor for the continuation of the crisis in Afghanistan and needs to be remedied as a matter of priority.

The appointment of a UN Special Envoy would mark an important development in helping ensure a more effective international approach for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, success of the prospective Special Envoy on commencing a successful political process depends on several factors. Both UNAMA’s mandate and independent assessment have emphasized dialogue and engagement with all Afghan stakeholders to ensure an inclusive system. Thus, sustained and structured dialogue is needed with non-Taliban individuals and groups on all aspects of the crisis in Afghanistan.

A unified group of democratic forces, including civil society, women and youth, political parties, inside and outside Afghanistan, is a precondition for the start of any political process. It will also help compel the Taliban to accept dialogue and negotiations for a comprehensive settlement to the crisis and conflict in the country.

In relation to human rights, various segments of society have been subject to these violations, but especially women and girls who are denied their most basic rights and freedoms and subject to a clear from of gender-apartheid. Thus, the international strategy expected to emerge from the Doha conference and future such gatherings should include specific arrangements to help end all human rights violations especially gender apartheid and systematic violations of women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan.

Furthermore, the up-coming meeting should help build consensus that’s needed between the region and broader international community for a more coordinated and constructive engagement to reverse the negative trajectory and set Afghanistan on the path of stability. The pathway forward should be based on the will and interests of the people of Afghanistan as well as a genuine spirit of international support and cooperation.

The Coordination Council of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the I.R. of Afghanistan looks forward to working with the United Nations and all international stakeholders to achieve a viable pathway forward to overcome the crisis and achieving an inclusive, representative, united and peaceful Afghanistan.

 

Statement of the The Coordination Council of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on arbitrary and unlawful arrests of Afghan Women

January 8, 2024

The Coordination Council of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly condemns the recent arbitrary and unlawful arrests of women and girls on the streets of Kabul by the Taliban. These arrests, as confirmed by the Taliban, mark a troubling regression in the protection of women's rights and freedoms in Afghanistan.

The Council believes that these misogynist acts of Taliban against the Afghan women are egregious violations of their dignity and privacy, as well as a blatant disregard for universally recognized human rights norms.

We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all women and girls who have been detained in this manner, where never in the modern history of Afghanistan these many women have been detained or imprisoned.

Furthermore, these arbitrary arrests undermine social cohesion and trust in an Afghanistan that already suffers from several crises. It is imperative that the Taliban immediately release those apprehended, refrain from such actions and ensures the protection of women's rights as stipulated in international human rights treaties to which Afghanistan is a party.

The Coordination Council stands in solidarity with all women and girls across the country who have been unjustly detained and reiterates our unwavering commitment to advocating for the protection of their rights and freedoms.

We call on the international community to join us in condemning these violations and to work together to uphold the rights of Afghan women and girls.

 

Statement of the Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

November 25, 2023

Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

On this occasion, we, once again, express our deep concern over the tragic situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. More than two years after the Taliban’s forced takeover of Afghanistan, Afghan women and girls continue to bear the brunt of a deteriorating humanitarian situation and an alarming human rights environment in the country.

Afghan women and girls continue to suffer from prisonlike conditions, as every aspect of their lives including their basic rights to education, employment, and freedom of movement have been restricted under a hostile approach and by some of the most repressive policies and practices which, according to many international experts and human rights organizations, amount to gender apartheid.

While women’s active participation in public life was the hallmark of the two-decade partnership between Afghanistan and the international community, women are now being systematically erased from public life under the Taliban’s unilateral and repressive rule. In addition to this, as reported by some international organizations, there has been a significant increase in gender-based violence, child marriage, forced marriage and domestic violence in Afghanistan over the past two years.

As resilient Afghan women and girls boldly lead the charge in advocating for the human rights of all Afghans, it is imperative that we fortify our commitment to their cause through unwavering collective actions. They not only stand at the forefront but embody the very essence of the struggle, demanding our dedicated support for their rights and aspirations.

We once again reiterate that full realization of women’s rights in Afghanistan is a foundational element of a peaceful, inclusive, representative and prosperous future for all Afghans.

The Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan remain committed to collaborating with all Afghan and international partners in the efforts to put and end to all forms of violence against Afghan women and girls and to help them fully realize their rights in all areas. We look forward to taking part in various activities of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence this year.