The United Nations has confirmed that international recognition of the Taliban government will be “nearly impossible” if the movement continues its restrictions on women’s rights.
At a briefing during the meeting of the Security Council, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, explained: “In my regular conversations with the de facto authorities, I openly explored the obstacles that the de facto authorities create for themselves, the adoption of decrees and restrictions on girls and women.”
She added: “The Taliban is asking the United Nations and its members to recognize him, but at the same time he is acting against the core values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” noting that he briefed the Taliban. that “the presence of these decrees makes it virtually impossible for members of the international community to recognize their government.
No country or international organization officially recognizes the government established by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
After the overthrow of the foreign-backed government in August 2021, the Taliban authorities imposed strict rulings barring girls from attending secondary schools and women from working in many public positions, as well as from traveling without a mahram, and forcing them to wear the niqab outside the home.
The movement promised greater flexibility after seizing power, but quickly reverted to its strict interpretation of Sharia law, which characterized its rule from 1996 to 2001.
According to the UN, the Taliban committed repeated human rights violations during this period, especially against girls and women. In December, the movement banned Afghan women from working in local or foreign non-governmental organizations.
Otunbaeva stressed that these measures, which restrict women’s rights, are unpopular with the Afghan people and “cost the Taliban” their international and domestic legitimacy, causing suffering to half of the population and damaging their economy.
Otunbayeva explained: “We have not received any clarification from the signed command regarding this ban or any guarantees that it will be lifted,” adding: “We will not endanger our local employees, so we ask them not to go to work. , and the United Nations Mission also requires male non-essential personnel to stay at home out of respect for the principle of non-discrimination.” In April, the movement expanded its restrictions on women to include UN offices across Afghanistan.
Source: AFP