UN: Restrictions on fundamental human rights exacerbating bleak humanitarian plight in Afghanistan

Restrictions on fundamental human rights and freedoms — especially for women and girls — are exacerbating the bleak humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council earlier this week, as members diverged over the international community’s optimal level of engagement with the Taliban in light of such repression.

Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that people in Afghanistan continue to face extreme hardship and uncertainty, with over half of the population — some 24 million people — in need of humanitarian assistance. Around 25 million people are now living in poverty, unemployment could reach 40 per cent and inflation is rising due to increased global prices, import constraints and currency depreciation.

“Relentless layers of crisis persist at a time when communities are already struggling,” he stressed, also highlighting a recent earthquake, massive flash floods and oncoming cold weather that will force families to choose between nutrition, education, healthcare or warmth for their children.

Naseer Ahmed Faiq, head of Afghan mission to UN on Charge d’ Affaires, called on the Taliban to protect and respect the fundamental human rights of all Afghan citizens without prejudice based on gender, ethnic and religious identity. This includes reopening girls’ schools and restoring women’s full human rights.

It also includes honouring their amnesty announcement immediately ending detainment, torture, forced displacements, extrajudicial killings of former security forces and civilians, and bringing the perpetrators of these acts to justice, he said.

These acts violate international human rights and international humanitarian laws as well as Islamic values and principles.