Afghan Women urge Human Rights Council to further pressure Taliban

Protesting Afghan women have sent an open letter to the United Nations Human Rights Council, demanding “more effective pressure” on the Taliban, just ahead of this council’s meeting on Afghanistan.

In this letter, they have asked the international Rights body to stand by the women of Afghanistan and act in line with human rights values, the United Nations Charter and the conventions that cover discrimination and systematic exclusion of women.

These women have criticized the invitation of Taliban members to a number of international meetings about Afghanistan, condemning any kind of discussion for interaction and recognition of this group.

In another part of this letter, they have asked the United Nations Human Rights Council to provide the context and opportunity to investigate “Taliban crimes against humanity” by the International Criminal Court and to work for the release of the women who are in Taliban prison.

Meanwhile, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights for Afghanistan, has said in his latest report that the Taliban have issued more than 50 restrictive orders against Afghan women and girls and have applied extensive and systematic discrimination against them.

This report is supposed to be presented at the 50th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.