The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) today urged the Taliban to put an end to practices restricting the fundamental freedoms of women and girls, considering that institutionalized discrimination in Afghanistan should shock humanity.
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05/10/2026
by
Lusa
O CHR, the UN body responsible for the protection of human rights and composed of 47 Member States, unanimously adopted a resolution tabled by 37 European countries, Canada and Chile.
Stressing that the human rights situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating, the Council expressed deep concern at the “serious, growing, widespread and systematic oppression of all women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban”.
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 and imposed a strict version of Islamic law.
Women are particularly affected by the regime. They are prohibited from attending public places, including parks, and most jobs, while girls are prohibited from attending school after 12 years of age.
For these reasons, this UN body urged the Taliban to revoke “all policies and practices restricting the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by women and girls”, including rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, education, work and voting.
It also urged the international community to intensify its involvement “with all stakeholders in Afghanistan” in relation to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans.
The Human Rights Council also reaffirmed that child marriage, forced marriage and sexual slavery of boys constitute human rights violations.