UNAMA Urges Taliban to Adhere to Human Rights on International Human Rights Day

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) urged the Taliban on Tuesday, December 10, to comply with global human rights standards, emphasizing that this is crucial for the protection and prosperity of all Afghans, particularly women and girls, Amu TV reported yesterday.

This year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” highlights the transformative potential of human rights in tackling societal challenges.

Roza Otunbayeva, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, noted a troubling erosion of human rights protections despite some improvements in security. She stated that women and girls are disproportionately affected by these violations. The UN criticized the Taliban’s “de facto government” for systematically excluding women and girls from education, work, and public life, a pattern that has drawn international condemnation.

Otunbayeva emphasized that with authority comes responsibility, urging the Taliban to demonstrate a commitment to shared values if they seek recognition within the UN. Fiona Frazer, the UN’s human rights representative in Afghanistan, reiterated that denying fundamental rights to women and girls undermines the well-being of all Afghans. The UN’s appeal comes amid severe human rights violations, including multiple bans on women’s education in the country.